Route 66 South of Lake Springfield
Also known as: Old Route 66; Olde Carriage Way
Why it's listed
This 1.3-mile stretch of old Route 66 lies south of Lake Springfield, between East Lake Shore Drive and New City Road near Springfield, Illinois. Built around 1921-1922 as part of State Route 4, the Chicago to St. Louis corridor, it was designated Route 66 in 1926. The roadway is Portland cement poured about 16 feet wide and 6 inches deep, with two 8-foot lanes and narrow shoulders. It is signed today as Old Route 66 and Olde Carriage Way. In 1930 Route 66 was moved west because a bond vote funded Lake Springfield, which would cover the original alignment; the lake was flooded by 1935. This segment survived south of the lake. It was recognized for its link to Route 66 and as an example of rural two-lane highway building from 1921 to 1930. A grain silo and open farmland nearby preserve the rural setting. The road is the only resource counted.
Significance in brief: The segment is significant for its association with Route 66, a major route from Chicago to Santa Monica, and as an example of two-lane rural highway construction of 1921-1930. It was bypassed when the road was rerouted in 1930 to make way for Lake Springfield. Its Portland cement surface and surrounding farmland remain much as they were in the period of significance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 09000296, listed May 12, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Olde Rt. 66/ Olde Carriage Way, Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Sangamon County |
| Listed | May 12, 2009 |
| Reference number | 09000296 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1926-1930 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Other / two-lane highway |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Road is in good condition with some seams in fair condition; the southern 0.2 mile has been repaved. It remains in transportation use. |
| Acreage | 2.8 |
| Coordinates | 39.67247, -89.62327 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 09000296.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.