Route 66 was a mostly two lane highway that extended from Chicago to Los Angeles, through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, before gradually giving up to the modern interstate. Most of the old pavement is still there, and can be followed with the right maps and directions. I drove the entire length of old 66 in 2012, and invite you to follow along!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Illinois Route 66 - Raymond
"Mary, Loving Mother of Jesus, Protect us on the Highway."
RAYMOND, ILLINOIS. For all the romance we
attach to the pre-interstate highways of the 1940's and 50's, they were
always a dangerous drive. "Bloody 66" applied to many stretches of the
old road. Some warmhearted youngsters from St. Raymond's Parish recognized this, and took it upon themselves to raise the money
necessary to erect the Our Lady of the Highway shrine, which has a
prayer of safety engraved on the stone. These farm kids had the marble
statue shipped all the way from Italy, and a priest helped lay the
little cobblestone path. Francis Marten, whose daughter Loretta was part
of the group, donated some land out by old 66, and the shrine was
dedicated in 1959. It is still there today, and in wonderful condition.
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