This is a Classic Restos Exclusive. The centennial exploration of Route 66 begins at the 95th Street Bridge, where Hollywood from The Blues Brothers took a leap of faith back in 1980. As sweeping aerial chopper footage captures the Chicago skyline, we delve into the origin story of the highway that shaped a nation. Travelling south, first stop to explore is the rich heritage of Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, a commercial landmark on the National Register of Historic Places along Route 66.
The journey deepens with stops at Joliet’s historic prison and architectural marvels, followed by a visit to Wilmington to see the iconic 1960s Gemini Giant. In Dwight, we uncover the beautifully restored 1932 Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station, a testament to early American car culture. After seeing the towering Bunyon Giant in Atlanta, Part 1 concludes in Lincoln, Illinois, the only town named after Abraham Lincoln before he became President. This and more solidifies the deep historical ties of the Mother Road, as we feel the grit, along Route 66.
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