The Mother Road is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary in 2026 and there will be plenty to see and do along this famous highway in Edwardsville and other local Route 66 communities in southwest Illinois.

Route 66 made its mark on Edwardsville for over three decades until a revamp of the route bypassed the city in 1964. Until then, Edwardsville was a major stop for travelers looking for a great meal, cold drinks, entertainment and gas or an oil change. The original highway meandered through the city and travelers quickly discovered the Stagger Inn and Dewey’s Pizza spots for food and drinks. The Wildey Theatre also became a major draw with its Vaudeville shows featuring the likes of W.C. Fields, Al Jolson, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. When ‘talking pictures’ debuted at the Wildey, it only added to its Route 66 popularity. The theatre continues to thrive in downtown Edwardsville and will host the Route 66 Centennial showing of Main Street of America on Sept. 10, 2026. Make plans to attend – there will only be two local viewings of the film.

The West End Service Station was also an iconic stop in the city and provided a much-needed rest stop for travelers seeking a cold soda and car services. The station closed once the highway bypassed the city in 1965. It has since been restored to its former glory and is once again open to visitors as a major Route 66 attraction thanks to the efforts of the City of Edwardsville and the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. Expect on-going Centennial programming throughout 2026 at the West End Service Station.

Edwardsville commemorates its place in Route 66 history with a colorful Post Card Mural in the city’s Downtown district. A larger-than-life Route 66 Shield also has a place near the West End Service Station and is a perfect spot to get a photo of a Route 66 journey.

Route 66 is celebrated annually in Edwardsville with the Route 66 Festival which takes place in early June at the city’s historic City Park.

Don’t miss additional Route 66 Centennial celebrations along The Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in southwest Illinois including:
• The Catsup Bottle Festival will take place June 20 in Collinsville in conjunction with the Route 66 Centennial Great Race which include a Collinsville stop.
• The Last 100 Miles Centennial Festival will be held throughout southwest Illinois Oct. 9 & 10 and include activities in communities along the Mother Road including Granite City, Staunton, Litchfield and more.