Pontiac, IL

Pontiac is one of the larger towns in the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor winding from Joliet to Towanda. It is a bit difficult to navigate because Route 66 was rerouted over the years, and the signs for the different routes can be confusing. Also, some of the streets do not have good signage. No matter which route you take, you will have fun traversing this classic Route 66 town.

As you come into town on Pontiac Road, you will find the Old Log Cabin Inn, which has been in operation since 1926. When Route 66 was rerouted through town in the 1940s to pass in back of the restaurant, it was jacked up and turned around so the main road still would pass the front door. The food there is pretty good, and there are lots of old Route 66 photos.

Other attractions include the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum and the old Division Street Bridge with its Hwy 4 marker that predates Route 66. Scotty's Bar across from the bridge has a very cool old Schlitz beer sign.

Going east to west, I have directed you through Pontiac on the 1926 - 1930 route. To see the Division Street Bridge, you will have to take the post 1939 route. To do that going east to west, do not bear left past the Old Log Cabin Inn onto Aurora. Instead, bear right following the Post 1939 Route 66 sign. If traveling west to east, take a left onto Ladd St off of Reynolds just before the RR tracks, cross Howard St, and follow the signs to Division.