| <- Southbound |
| Hamel (10 miles) |
| |
Staunton, IL |
| |
Northbound -> |
1926-1930: Sawyerville (5 miles) |
|
1946-1977: Livingston (6 miles) |
|
|
|
|
Staunton holds quite a unique position on Route 66, one shared by only a couple other communities - most notably Springfield. It's here that the original Carlinville Alignment of Route 66 separates from the later Litchfield Alignment that took possession of the US 66 shields starting in 1930. Later on it would be bypassed further by a four-lane alignment that swept wide around the city, sweeping closer to Livingston than Staunton, giving the town a multitude of Route 66 corridors not usually found in a town of this size.
Easily the best of the three alignments is the "Bypass," an unfortunate term as the road was not signed as a bypass of 66 but as the mainline. It was built to bypass town when the road shifted east towards Mount Olive, and the winding, twisting curves you experience as the highway navigates the southeast side of Staunton are some of the most fun found along Route 66 in Illinois, particularly coming out of the straight as an arrow shot between Springfield and Litchfield.. You certainly can't take the curves too quickly, forcing the impatient modern American to slow down and cruise the Mother Road just as several generations have done before.
The biggest attraction along the Staunton Bypass - or in Staunton itself - is Rich Henry's Rabbit Ranch, one of the most fascinating - and unique - landmarks on the road. The gift shop and information center is fashioned like an old gas station, and though it never actually sold gasoline the facade has fooled many a visitor (including, supposedly, representatives of the EPA looking for old gas tanks). Outside the building reside a multitude of attractions, in particular the relics of the Stanley Cour-Tel and Lin Air Motel; when the two buildings in Northwest St. Louis County were razed in late 2002 the classic signs were saved and now sit here, still available to be admired by Route 66 travelers. The remnants are joined by a group of half-buried Volkswagon Rabbit automobiles in a mini-homage to the Cadillac Ranch.
Inside the Rabbit Ranch is the head rabbit herself, Montana, who greets her fans (and fans of Route 66) by "autographing" a postcard by chewing on the edge. Along with the cuteness of Montana and the wide knowledge of Henry, travelers can enjoy a large selection of not only memorabilia inside but also souvenirs; the Rabbit Ranch is one of the better gift shops along Route 66.
The original two-lane route follows Arch Street through the downtown traveling from southwest to northeast (staunton's grid is diagonal with only two county roads at the north and south edges of town traveling west-east.) Much of the community of staunton is to the northwest of Route 66; while the first alignment was not a bypass, it still manages to miss a good part of the community on the other side of the tracks. The four-lane bypass opened in 1946/47 skirts the town completely, following Interstate 55's modern path around the southeast corner of town.
At the south of town, the old two-lane departs from the bypass with few remnants and little fanfare. At the north, though, a large stretch of old pavement is visable heading out of town as Arch Street angles to the right (east) for its modern intersection with the bypass. While the northbound lanes of the bypass have been destroyed for its entire length around staunton, remnants are present in several locations when the road intersects with a county highway.
Click on any image to expand full-screen. Press the left and right arrow keys to browse the entire album.
<- Southbound |
|
Northbound -> |
|
Staunton, IL |
Sawyerville |
10 miles |
5 miles (1926-1930) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
6 miles (1930-1946) |
| |
|
Livingston |
| |
|
6 miles (1946-1977) |
|
County: Macoupin, IL
Easily the best of the three alignments is the "Bypass," an unfortunate term as the road was not signed as a bypass of 66 but as the mainline. It was built to bypass town when the road shifted east towards Mount Olive, and the winding, twisting curves you experience as the highway navigates the southeast side of Staunton are some of the most fun found along Route 66 in Illinois, particularly coming out of the straight as an arrow shot between Springfield and Litchfield.. You certainly can't take the curves too quickly, forcing the impatient modern American to slow down and cruise the Mother Road just as several generations have done before. 
The biggest attraction along the Staunton Bypass - or in Staunton itself - is Rich Henry's Rabbit Ranch, one of the most fascinating - and unique - landmarks on the road. The gift shop and information center is fashioned like an old gas station, and though it never actually sold gasoline the facade has fooled many a visitor (including, supposedly, representatives of the EPA looking for old gas tanks). Outside the building reside a multitude of attractions, in particular the relics of the Stanley Cour-Tel and Lin Air Motel; when the two buildings in Northwest St. Louis County were razed in late 2002 the classic signs were saved and now sit here, still available to be admired by Route 66 travelers. The remnants are joined by a group of half-buried Volkswagon Rabbit automobiles in a mini-homage to the Cadillac Ranch.
