THURSDAY, JULY 1
I took US-12 to Richmond, Illinois, and encountered a big backup at the Illinois Highway 173 stoplight. This backup is especially bad on the weekends when a lot of Illinoisians head up to Wisconsin. I decided to backtrack a little and take the road through the downtown out to 173.
Illinois Highway 173 is also called the was built in 1924 and runs 66 miles from Zion on Lake Michigan to Machesney Park by Rockford. It is two lanes for most of its length and goes through fairly hilly countryside and has a lot of farms in McHenry County. It also forms the northern border of Spring Grove.
In 2008, the whole road was officially designated the 173rd Airborne Brigade Highway.
The 173rd was activated in 1915 and did serve during World War II, but is best known for its service in Vietnam It was the first major U.S. Army ground group deployed in Vietnam and served from 1965 to 1971, losing 1,533 soldiers. Brigade members received over 7,700 decorations and more than 6,000 Purple Hearts.
I have driven the stretch of 173 from Richmond to Hebron many times as we kept the boat at a farm in Hebron during the winter for many years.
It is two lane this whole stretch. At one point, there is a sign for Galt Airport.
--RoadDog
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