Roamin' Rich explores old alignment of Route 66 west of Lincoln Illinois and the Old Mill

[@greg7129]

Groovy stuff you are doin' out there with the old road that is such an important part of our history !! Thanks !!!

[@MarksKicksOnRoute66]

I'm really gaining mad respect for you and your in depth exploring of the old Mother Road. I just completed my full west to east journey. My plans are this spring to concentrate on specific parts and dive deeper. I did in places drive closed sections this trip. I love Illinois because you run long stretches and still parallel one half of the old cement sections. Special touches of the memorial benches and tables. Keep up the great work and thanks for accepting me on Facebook.

[@trixier6505]

Love your 66 explorations. i will probably not get a chance to do a Route 66 road trip, as I am old, so your videos are wonderful to watch. My son is a Rich and favors you so strongly.

[@ancestryitemsforfullerbank6437]

Thanks for the memories, Roamin' Rich. I was born in Lincoln in 1948 and grew up watching that highway evolve. I remember my dad saying that old state Route 4 was the precursor to 66.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Yes, Route 4 did become 66. There was an old dirt road and different bridge(s) prior to this concrete road and single bridge (gone now). They ended up consolidating several creeks into one to eliminate the multiple bridges when they built the concrete road.

[@MarkShannonroad_videos]

Neat to see the old concrete pavement still visible! Thanks for this.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Thanks for watching... plenty of Route 66 videos available to see!

[@purplesmack]

The brick roads here in lincoln are historical. They try to preserve them as much as they can. Obviously, until they can't anymore. Then they use the concrete ontop, even sometimes only in patches to still keep the look of some of the bricks!

[@jessereed390]

Rich, this was a thrill to watch. Thank you for sharing this!

[@dansimon1100]

One of these days I would love to drive on what remains of Route 66 drive as much as I can on the old route I love how a lot of people do have love for the old mother Road Route 66 is now one of my bucket list things I want to do

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I said that one day a long time ago... and I haven't quit exploring yet!

[@dansimon1100]

@@HookedOnRoute66 oh yeah buddy I bet you there's a lot of old parts of Route 66 you haven't been on yet but I will tell you this buddy I do enjoy your videos

[@pedrof830]

I really enjoy your travels, thanks for sharing your adventures!

[@wifler62]

I just found some of your videos of Route 66. I went on a trip on parts of the Mother Road last summer but was on a fairly tight timeframe so it's great to be able to see sections that I wasn't able to fit in the schedule. You do a great job of giving detailed descriptions of the road, along with historical info. Thank you for posting these!

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Kristie Ely thank you for sharing!

[@2012turok]

thank u 4 all you're hard work.

[@hipasssports]

My dad a Navy Chief he took my mom and I east every year along this route. [San Diego to Great Lakes] I don't think my dad ever drove less than 60mph and more than likely 70mph in our 1950 Ford. Image driving at those speeds on that road!!! I remember staying in motels and eating hamburgers' at various spots along the way. One motel was located next to the railway tracks and during the night the train came -- whistle blowing -- and the bathroom window fell inward from the pressure of the train passing at high speed. I whined because my dad didn't stop for anything [Blue Whale, Caves, The Thing, etc..]. Had to pee in a can or stop beside the road. Circa 1945 through 1956. They had other cars, but I only remember the 50 Ford . . . . Thanks for the memories!

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Thanks for sharing your accounts.... Simple times.

[@retogetzmann7144]

Hi Roamin i have seen a lot of your videos and with this i will find some old parts of the mother road. I think this part in Licoln ist close i mean you could not drive this Part. Thanks for all of your information about the Route 66. I will also visit your 66 sign in Devils Elbow bevor crossing the bridge and going to the water hole 2 in Texola

[@AnthonyReichardt]

Thanks for sharing and documenting, Rich. It's good to see you again.

[@laytonhaese7888]

I remember traveling route 66 in the late 50's maby 59 with my folks from CA back east - we were going to Niagara Falls area , there were places in the continental divide area where the road was being upgraded to 2 lanes each way and we had to take a 1 lane forestry road to go around... we met a truck coming the other way (west) and had to backup and find a area to pull out so he could pass. My Mother came out to New Mexico with her brothers from Buffalo.in the 30's and has pictures of route 66 as a dirt road in the New mexico area somewhere by Accuma indian reservation.

[@meaghangleason3167]

I Live in lincoln as well. I thank u for caming to town, my couison Paul Gleasom wrote the book of lincoln. it has alot of dates of changes an such. Hope u can get more info. lincoln has alot to offer in history.

[@pedrof830]

Thanks for the info, good to hear that good folks care enough to maintain part of Americana.

[@PRTEVYBMW]

Very cool Rich! I'll have to look at all the other Vid's. Cheers;)

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Thanks for watching and sharing!!!! More coming soon!

[@wi54725]

We walked this stretch of old road during the June of 2014 Illinois Route 66 Motor Tour. I cannot remember at the time if the shield was still as visible as it was in this video, but I can say that on that Sunday morning, the gun range was full, and it gave me the willies as I neared the bridge ruins. Rich, we here in Nashville love all your Mother Road videos. Do you plan to incorporate the Lincoln Highway and possible the Dixie Bee Line Highway into future videos once you have covered everything from Lake Michigan to the Santa Monica Pier?

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I know what you mean... I didn't know there was a gun range there my first time visiting.

[@randygreen9857]

I wish that the entire Route 66 would be somehow saved and refurbished.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

It's a constant evolution with both good and bad.

[@buckybucky5028]

Man, you're lucky to get chances like that. I love trying to drive the old parts of Route 66. Hey Rich, where did you get that great 66 sign on your hood?

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I've been sporting that for over 8 years now. I have 3 hoods to date. One is on display at The Elbow Inn, Devils Elbow, MO. The 1st generation has a ton of signatures on it from iconic Roadies. It gets people's attention.

[@fordroad]

Roman Rich well done. I have just returned from USA, joined the mother road in April 14 west bound from Amarillo Tx, through to Pacific coast at Santa Monica pier. Drove about 630 - 650 miles on actual road. Oatman ( 1926 alignment) was my highlight. Man I am on my way back east bound through to Chicago. There appears to be original alignment in west 1926 then re-alignment your comment would be appreciated.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

There are multiple alignments throughout the entire Route 66. From Chicago, all the way to Santa Monica there are at minimum 2 distinct alignments, and sometimes as many as 4 alignments. In St. Louis City, I believe there to be 5 or 6 different paths. There are many books, forums, and sites, dedicated to the research of all the Route 66 alignments, and many of the trails that preceded it. Check me out on FB and follow my journeys there too! facebook.com/rich.dinkela

[@fordroad]

Thanks will do great work .

[@badjuju6497]

This is very cool stuff Rich. I'll be going through Lincoln on Memorial Day to bike races in Springfield, riding the old Wide Glide .I was planning on riding as much of the old road as possible, most definitely going to check this out. Any other hidden gems between Chicago and Springfield ?

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Yeah, there are plenty. I recommend you pick up Jerry McClanahan's EZ Guide or David Wickline's Route 66 book. John Weiss also has a book dedicated to Illinois Route 66.

[@jeremyhedrick338]

The river you refer to isn't a river it is the Salt Creek. And the shooting range is the local sportsman's. I grew up out there and have spent a giant part of my life on that road and in that creek. My grandparents met in the Mill my grandmother worked there and my grandfather and his dad came through working on the powerlines and my grandpa never left after meeting my grandmother.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Muchas gracias. Espero que llegue a visitarnos pronto

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not sure what you mean by original shields. I don't believe shields were ever painted on the route during its use, especially the original alignments. All of 66 wasn't even paved until the late 1930's. The sidewalk Highway has several that I painted. It used to have some others years ago, but have since worn off. Pretty much the entire route through Kansas is stenciled. California has a lot of its alignments stenciled by the state as well.

[@matthewaper3716]

My Hometown!

[@HookedOnRoute66]

The Mill has been closed for many years. However, people have put an effort into keeping it from falling apart. The blades have been restored as well.

[@milojanis4901]

Hi Rich. I'm a subscriber to your videos. Love 'em! I have an interesting question for you, and I'm certain other collectors of 66 memorabilia would be interested in this question, as well. Question is: What are the dimensions of authentic route 66 signs? I'm speaking mainly about the 1926-1947 or maybe 1948 signs. The ones with the squarish 6s, not like the one in my post. Any help would be greatly appreciated. You guys have done a Super job on the PDTP!!!!

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Look up a guy named Jake Bear on FaceBook. He is well versed on the various signage. I can tell you that most from that era are fake.

[@waltwynn-sandiegonorthcoun8475]

How Cool 😎!

[@mrmanlet7385]

I just made a very interesting discovery while searching around on Google Maps and HistoricAerials. I believe I found a long forgotten alignment of old 66 (possibly even SBI-4, which predates it) on the NE side of Lincoln which took McLean Street instead of BL I-55. There is old concrete road running through some small industrial shops next to the RR.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Yep. Behind the old Chevy dealer and that scrap yard is a section of 66.

[@mrmanlet7385]

@@HookedOnRoute66 IL-29 has a lot of preserved concrete sections south of Peoria all the way close to Springfield. Worth a drive IMO. An old Y junction is completely intact east of Athens IL

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I'll have to check it out

[@dougslittlediesel]

Sangamon River is the river there at Lincoln Illinois. Excuse the spelling if its incorrect.

[@farmhand24]

Actually the creek is called Salt Creek

[@koz82426]

Hey Roamin' Rich. Really great videos you have here. I appreciate you taking the time to show us the living history that is the original Route 66. I am curious about one thing though. In your travels, have you come across many original US 66 shields painted into original alignments or not really (other than the ones you paint yourself)? Do you know of any existing (old and/or new) US 66 shields in any of the "Sidewalk Highway" portion in Oklahoma near Miami or Afton? Or any other state(s)?

[@johnlynnsadevtures]

I've watched a videos question how do you find the old route 66 road?

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I've studied a lot of maps, construction data from DOTs, and satellite imagery. After a while, It's all just a big game of connect the dots.

[@justbob1334]

The cobble stone and brick sections of Route 66 is unique to IL. When 66 was first being built in IL. A State Senator's family owned a brick yard in Northern IL. So you can thank corruption for the cobble stone pavers on parts of Route 66 in IL

[@foxyroxstar]

Love Ya Man!

[@acmttonhao]

MUITO OBRIGADO DE CORAÇÃO,POR MOSTRAR PRA NOS QUE ESTAMOS TÃO LONGE TODOS OS SEGREDOS DA VELHA ESTRADA MÃE!GRANDE ABRAÇO PRA VC,

[@ryneprince7113]

Are you from around lincoln? Knowing about the old mill restaurant is kinda weird if you aren't from around here

[@HookedOnRoute66]

No... I just try exploring areas in depth.

[@angryhoneybadger4189]

i live in lincoln and thats one of my good fishing spots, its called hells gates. ive literally never heard it called ghost bridge, ive lived here my entire life. i was just wonderin where did you here that at?

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Neversober217 We call old bridge foundations ghost bridges. It pertains to all structures that used to be bridges, not just this one. Thanks for watching!

[@angryhoneybadger4189]

oh ight i was just wonderin lol

[@lexyraffa5514]

I actually live pretty close to that but I've never been there

[@nickwhite4782]

recommisssion route 66

[@pedrof830]

Rich these 2 guys just wrote a book about their route 66 travels in a classic Caddy, just using the normal tourist route, you have so much video available, it's a shame you don't put it all together and make a real thorough video.

[@Senseless0311]

i used to live near there and i would always go to the bridge

[@NatureRecycleFlorida]

cool road

[@allanegleston13]

if the big fancy interstates were disabled somehow , wed have to go back to these historic roads if they still exist. this road shouod be saved . i lived in glendora califronia and foothill blvd took a dog leg left into glendora. 66 was named alosta in glendora , the rest of the length was foothill. a question and a thinking out loud here . wonder if foothill in glendora was an old alignment and glendora proper was bypassed ?? hmmm , a puzzlement. unfortantly some of the road has dissapered underneath the interstates or the bypass road. ps: alosta has been renamed route 66. was bypassed when interste 210 came into being.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

+allan egleston foothill and Glendora both had roles in 66

[@allenatkins2263]

Just found your videos Rich, I wanted to thank you for the great job you are doing! I used to drive a truck and would stop at a truck stop on 55 that had a little route 66 museum. I bought several copies of a route 66 magazine that was great. thanks again!

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement!

[@outdoorlimitz9191]

nice video historic road where can i download a map to travel in the original road can use the gps

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Look up a book called the Route 66 EZ guide by Jerry Mcclanahan.

[@normansweet105]

Julio Pineda m

[@pedrof830]

Rich is this Mill rest still open for business, I read that it was closed down and they wanted to level it, know anything about it?

[@HookedOnRoute66]

K Drennen I dont think there were any publicly commissioned shields painted on the road until the highway turned historic.

[@nickwhite4782]

YES TOONTOWN IS CLOSED DOWN

[@1STEPHEN1000]

Illinois Route 4 predates 66 through Lincoln on that route to

[@SmittysPlace]

nice!

[@outdoorlimitz9191]

tank you budy

[@FradyKatt]

If that road was cleaned up would probably be almost as smooth as it was new shit just made better then/

[@jonathanharris2090]

I did not see a graveyard what happened ?

[@HookedOnRoute66]

+Jonathan Harris I think I was concentrating more on the road than the graveyard

[@bobharris7046]

Jonathan Harris -at min 3:11, you can see the graveyard, on the high right bank.

[@radiocameron]

Found this stretch using your video and Google Earth.

[@cameronsimpson6864]

Just another f.y.i ghost bridge is out by new Holland that's just a part of 66 they let degrade after moving 66 and salt creek ain't no river lol

[@roberttaylor2033]

I burn a lot of 22 ammo on that section of the road at the old trussed bridge now long gone in fact coming up the grade I shot a ground hog that squealed like a pig that it was and to the left and up the grade and over my Grandfather Chester A. Taylor senior is buried with my Grandmother Clara Wenele maybe ten feet from the crest a few more feet is the grave of "Coonhound Johnny"

[@KB4QAA]

Bricks are not cobblestones.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Semantics