Route 66: Erika Holst and Illinois’ First Miles
photo source: enjoyillinois.com
Cruising Through History: Route 66 and Illinois
There’s something poetic about beginnings and when it comes to the most famous road in America, it all starts in Illinois.
Route 66, aka the “Mother Road,” officially kicks off in downtown Chicago, where the hum of city life meets the promise of the open road. From there, it stretches southwest, weaving through small towns, cornfields, neon signs, and decades of American stories before eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean. But Illinois isn’t just the starting point—it’s the tone-setter.
This is where travelers first felt the thrill of heading west. Where families packed their cars during the Great Depression, chasing opportunity. Where roadside diners, quirky attractions, and motor courts began shaping the DNA of the American road trip.
Illinois’ stretch of Route 66 is full of character. Towns like Pontiac, Bloomington-Normal, and Springfield became early icons, not because they were flashy, but because they were essential. Gas stations turned into gathering spots. Diners became lifelines. And communities grew around the steady rhythm of travelers passing through.
Over time, the interstate system (particularly Interstate 55) replaced much of Route 66, diverting traffic and leaving some towns quieter than they once were. But instead of fading away, many Illinois communities leaned into their history. Today, restored neon signs glow again, vintage cars cruise through town festivals, and the spirit of Route 66 feels as alive as ever.
And here’s the thing, Illinois Route 66 isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about perspective. It’s the moment before the journey really begins. The stretch where excitement outweighs exhaustion, where everything still feels possible.
Interview Spotlight: Exploring Route 66 with Erika Holst
To truly understand Route 66, you have to hear from the people who lived it.
That’s why we’re especially excited to welcome Erika Holst, Curator of History at the Illinois State Museum. With more than 20 years in public history, Erika has dedicated her career to uncovering and sharing the stories that define places like Route 66.
Her newest exhibition, Stories of 66, dives deep into what life was really like along the road, exploring the experiences of those who lived, worked, and traveled it during its golden age.
And trust me, this isn’t just history…it’s human.
From family-run businesses to cross-country dreamers, from moments of freedom to stories of struggle, this exhibit brings Route 66 to life in a way maps and mile markers never could.
In our interview, we explore what makes Route 66 stand out among other historic byways like the Lincoln Highway and the Great River Road, and how the Illinois stretch evolved over time, both during its peak and after the rise of modern interstates.
Erika also shares insights from the museum’s Route 66 Oral History Project, offering a glimpse into the real, lived experiences of people who depended on the road for opportunity, connection, and survival. From overlooked communities to must-see stops, we dig into how travelers today can experience Route 66 in a way that goes beyond the surface.
We also touch on the future of Route 66. How Illinois is preparing for the Route 66 centennial, ongoing preservation efforts, and what the next chapter might look like for this iconic highway.
In short, this conversation is all about understanding why Route 66 still matters and how its legacy continues to evolve.
Route 66 - 100 Years of Oral History
A century ago, the road trip as we know it got its ultimate co-star: U.S. Route 66. Born in 1926, this 2,400-mile stretch from Chicago to the California coast became more than just pavement—it became a living, breathing slice of America. Over the decades, it carried dreamers, families, truckers, and wanderers through eras of hardship, hope, and reinvention. If America has a heartbeat, there’s a good chance it once pulsed along Route 66.
Erika’s oral history dives headfirst into that story….not through textbooks, but through voices. Drawing from 100 oral histories collected by the Illinois State Museum, getting firsthand what it felt like to cruise the Mother Road in its prime. Driving through neon-lit motels, roadside diners, long stretches of open road and the very real challenges travelers faced along the way. From the ingenuity of Black travelers navigating segregation-era America to the quirks of mid-century road trips (spoiler: no GPS), these stories paint a vivid, unfiltered picture of life on Route 66.
And this isn’t just a history lesson…it’s a conversation.
Tied to the Illinois America 250 Commission and its “Power of Place” theme, this program explores how roads like Route 66 helped shape Illinois through its communities, its culture, and its role in the American story. It’s about pride, place, and the moments—big and small—that define a journey.
About Erika Holst
BASED IN SPRINGFIELD, IL
Erika Holst is the Curator of History at the Illinois State Museum. Her most recent exhibition, opening May 2026, is Stories of 66, an exploration of living, working, and traveling on Route 66 in its heyday.
Erika has worked in the public history field for more than 20 years, during which time she has curated more than a dozen exhibitions. She is passionate about sharing stories of people and history through material culture. She holds an MA from the Winterthur Program in Early American Culture through the University of Delaware.
Erika’s publications include Wicked Springfield: Crime, Corruption, and Scandal During the Lincoln Era; Edwards Place: A Springfield Treasure; and Historic Houses of Lincoln’s Illinois, as well as several scholarly and popular articles.