Illinois' Top Ten Road Trips-- Part 4

Continued from Jan. 19th.

From the 2007 Illinois Travel Guide before I pitch it out. These travel guides are something anyone touring the state should have.


5. NATIONAL ROAD

This road was the brainchild of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson who believed this road would cause lots of movement out west to the newly acquired territories and states of the Old Northwest. This is the nation's oldest Federally funded highway dating to 1806.

In Illinois, it runs from the towns of Marshall in the east to East St. Louis on the west.

Stops along the way:

** HISTORIC GREENUP DEPOT-- established in 1870

** VANDALIA STATEHOUSE-- Illinois' second capital. Lincoln served here. Also the MADONNA OF THE TRAIL honoring pioneer women who traveled along the National Road.

** CAHOKIA MOUNDS-- in Collinsville. The remains of an ancient Indian city

** WORLD'S LARGEST CATSUP BOTTLE-- popular 170-foot tall water tower built in 1949 by the Brooks Catsup Company in Collinsville.

My wife and I have toured this whole stretch of road. In June, the towns along it have a special weekend where most have activities and fairs along this route.

Lincoln Highway Up next. --RoadDog