We continue our series reflecting on 100 years of Route 66 — particularly the 300-or-so miles of it that span the 21st state. However, Route 66 goes well beyond the borders of Illinois passing through Missouri, New Mexico, Arizona, and California and this is the subject of a new film.

As we continue our journey on Route 66, we’re stopping in Bloomington-Normal to check out the McLean County Museum of History. 

We continue our Route 66 journey heading southwest to the city of Joliet. Operating from 1858 through 2002, the Old Joliet Prison is now a tourist site. A local history expert takes the 21st Show through the prison highlighting its history and significance to the city.

Route 66, America’s most famous highway is turning 100 this year, and Illinois is bound up in more than 300 miles of its stories. To kick off our week-long series and begin our statewide journey, the 21st Show traveled to the start of Route 66, in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Two women from central and southern Illinois opened up the Route History museum in Springfield and are working to tell the stories of the tragedy, resilience, and excellence of Black people along the Historic Route 66.