Where the Mother Road Meets the Great River Road

There is only one place in America where two of our nation’s great roadways come together alongside the confluence of America’s three great rivers.

Journey down historic Route 66 from Carlinville to just outside St. Louis to explore classic roadside attractions and historic sites. Then hop on the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway to experience the majesty of the confluence of the Missouri, Mississippi, and Illinois Rivers.

History
Attractions
Map of Attractions
FAQ

The History of the Mother Road and the Great River Road in Illinois

The Mother Road, or perhaps more commonly known as Route 66, was commissioned in 1926 and saw the opportunity to piece together its nearly 2,500-mile-long run by taking over State Route 4 in Chicago. As construction for the massive road took over highways and byways, Illinois became the first state to feature the road, paved and completed in its entirety.

The state saw the road stretch from Chicago to St. Louis, cutting through Springfield, Carlinville, Litchfield, and more cities in the Great Rivers and Routes area that you can view with Route 66’s Southwest Illinois map. With its positioning in southwest Illinois, the Mother Road does intersect with our region’s second famous byway, the Great River Road, a scenic and winding road through some of our most stunning views in Illinois.

As the years have passed, the road has seen great change, decommissioned segments, and wear and tear from the years of vehicles traveling along it. But one thing was for sure: the road would become a historical landmark, honored and celebrated to this day.

Attractions Where the Mother Road Meets the Great River Road

Girard

Doc’s Soda Fountain

Established at Deck’s Drug Store in 1884, the original Doc’s Soda Fountain was added in 1929. The Deck’s Pharmacy Museum displays items from the 1800s. Doc’s Soda Fountain offers group lunch menus, pies, and, of course, old-fashioned sodas.

Officially named "Doc's Just Off 66," this charming little spot is a must when traveling across the Mother Road and was made to bring sweet comfort to the road's weary travelers.

You cannot stop at Doc's Soda Fountain without trying one of their handcrafted sundaes or milkshakes. The historic dining spot served up a unique array of tasty, sweet treats with explosive flavors and classics, like their banana split sundae.

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Carlinville

Historic Carlinville

As the only Carlinville in the world, this small city of 5,685 is filled with historic sites including the “Million Dollar” 1876 Macoupin County Courthouse, the 1896 “Cannonball” County Jail, and the “Millionaire’s Row” homes along East Main Street giving testimony to the wealthy businessmen who made their fortunes in banking and commerce.

The centerpiece of the town is the turn-of-the century, brick-paved city square and large gazebo marking the former courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law and wrote his longest legal brief on record. Carlinville is also home to the world’s largest continuous collection of “Sears & Roebuck” catalog homes in the country, all within a 9-block radius on the north end of town.

Livingston

Pink Elephant Antique Mall

Search for Route 66 treasures at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall, where oversized statues are just the tip of this nostalgic roadside attraction. Pose for photos next to the pink elephant statue, the original 1960s Futuro House, and the authentic “muffler man.” Find more large-scale statues, like their huge UFO installation and the larger-than-life figures outside their Sweet Treat Diner.

Shop through the large indoor antique shop, which will have you digging through treasures all afternoon thanks to its many aisles and vendors. Then grab a sweet treat at the ice cream shop shaped like an ice cream cone, or pick up some chocolaty fudge at their new fudge and candy shop.

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Edwardsville

Wildey Theatre

Welcome to the historic Wildey Theatre, an iconic stop on Route 66. Opened in 1909 as an opera house, the Wildey closed as a full-time movie theatre on March 8, 1984 after more than 400 people attended the movie "The Big Chill."

Recognizing the importance of the Wildey, the City renovated the theater to once again be a venue for live performances, classic films, and private events. Take a guided tour of the theatre and learn how they make their delicious popcorn!

Talk about your latest audience experience while exploring more that Edwardsville has even more to offer!

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Historic Edwardsville

Explore the “Land of Goshen” and the third-oldest city in Illinois. Stroll through the LeClaire neighborhood, built in 1890 by industrialist N.O. Nelson, who was inspired by a new economic philosophy of profit sharing, decided to build a modern manufacturing facility complete with new homes for his employees.

Travel the Route 66 trail to historic Saint Louis Street, lined with shady trees and classic Queen Anne, Greek Revival, and Victorian homes. Tour the 1820 Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House, linking the city to the earliest days of the Illinois Territory.

Complete your tour with a scenic drive through the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, situated on 2600 acres of woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottom land.

Historic Edwardsville

Hartford

Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower

Rising 180 feet above the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower honors the place where two men courageously journeyed west to discover the nation’s prosperous lands.

Three tower viewing platforms highlight the stories of the surrounding area including the Village of Hartford, the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, the Lewis & Clark journey and the two great rivers. Tour the interactive displays in the Visitor Center with videos and graphic panels telling the stories of the history, wildlife and communities along the byway.

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Lewis & Clark State Historic Site

Walk in the footsteps of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they plan their journey to explore the western United States in 1804 at the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site. As National Trail Site #1 on the Lewis & Clark Trail, the site houses a museum dedicated to the planning and journey of the two explorers and their Corps of Discovery.

Experience Lewis & Clark like never before in five exhibit rooms, the film "At Journey's Edge" and a 55-foot full scale "cutaway" keelboat. Tour of a replica settler cabin and see how people lived in the early 1800's.

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Granite City

Chain of Rocks Bridge

Granite City is home to some of the strangest, most iconic, and powerful structures in the Great Rivers and Routes region of Illinois. As your journey along the Mother Road brings you into the unique city, you'll be wowed by the art installations, and you'll also stumble upon a bit of Route 66 history.

The Chain of Rocks Bridge, which was constructed in 1929, is a significant landmark for travelers driving Route 66. Stretching across the Mississippi River, the bridge has a unique design with a 30-degree bend halfway across!

A Route 66 historian may be available to give your group a guided tour of the bridge based on availability.

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Collinsville

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Right here in Southwest Illinois is also where a civilization was born over 1,000 years ago on the Mississippi plains in what is now known as the city of Collinsville.

Take the chance to stroll through parts of the 2,200 acres of Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Historical Landmark.

After you take in the history and the landscape, visit the interpretative center to view the “City of the Sun” video and see scenes of what life may have been like during the time of the Mississippians. Climb the 147 steps to the top of Monks Mound, the largest man-made mound north of Mexico.

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World’s Largest Catsup Bottle

Don't think you've left the world of gigantic statues behind you in Edwardsville! As you arrive in Collinsville, just south of downtown, you'll see The World's Largest Catsup Bottle standing proudly next to Route 159.

This unique 170 ft. tall water tower was built in 1949 by the W.E. Caldwell Company for the G.S. Suppiger catsup bottling plant - bottlers of Brooks catsup.

Recognized the world over as an excellent example of 20th-century roadside Americana, the World's Largest Catsup Bottle attracts visitors and tourists every day. The iconic structure is a great place to pull over for an Instagram-worthy photo!

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Map of Attractions

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Lincoln Highway and the Mother Road?

The biggest difference between the Lincoln Highway and the Mother Road is that the Lincoln Highway is a transcontinental roadway that starts on the East Coast in New York and ends on the West Coast in California.

Is the Mother Road the same as Route 66?

Yes! Route 66 and the Mother Road are the same byway. Route 66 earned its nickname from John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath, in which he refers to the route as "The Mother Road."

What states does the Mother Road go through?

The Mother Road runs through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Is there an itinerary for this trip?

We recommend a 4-day trip to experience all that there is to see along the part of Route 66 that meets the Great River Road.

  • Day 1: Kick off your first day with a trip to Doc's Soda Fountain in Girard, go on a self-guided tour of historic Carlinville, before wrapping up at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall and staying the night in Livingston.
  • Day 2: The next morning, head into Edwardsville for a matinee and discuss your experience while touring the historic district and university campus, then head to Hartford to lay your head.
  • Day 3: Wake up and explore the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower and Historic Site before taking on another historic site: the Chain of Rocks Bridge.
  • Day 4: On your last day, head to Collinsville for a powerful end to your journey at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and a photo-op moment at the World's Largest Catsup Bottle.

Find more information about the Mother Road on our Route 66 page that outlines guides, attractions, famous dining stops, and more!

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About the Author

Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois

Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois

Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau is the state-certified regional Destination Marketing and Management Organization (DMO)-501C6, which represents Madison, Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Calhoun, and Greene counties, and the City of East St. Louis in St. Clair County in southwest Illinois. Founded in 1985 as the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, the bureau transitioned to Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau in 2018 as the size and scope of the organization grew.