Old 66 under Lake Springfield - 1930 to 1935(?)

At some point after 1930, North Cotton Hill Road out of Springfield was Rt. 66 until Lake Springfield was built and the land flooded. You can still see where Old 66 disappears into the lake and where it emerges again on the other side.

At Toronto Road exit on I-55 south of Springfield turn left and proceed to North Cotton Hill Road. Turn right and follow North Cotton Hill Road until you reach the barricade. You must hoof it from that point on! This is the view from the barricade looking South.

This is a second barricade further down the road. Off on the left side is what looks like a old roadside table location.
This is as far as you can walk. Old 66 continues on under this railroad bridge, under water!
This is just one of many concrete route markers that appear along both sides of this alignment. The letters are "STATE".
The view back north from the barricade of North Cotton Hill Road {Old 66}.
To get to the other side, retrace your route back out to I-55 South. Take exit 88 and turn left on East Lake Shore Drive. Proceed to County Road 1.25E. This is again Old 66. Turn left and follow CR1.25E to a barricade.

This is the view looking north from the barricade. Under all the leaves and stuff is Old Rt. 66 coming back up out of the lake.
This is Old 66 looking south from the barricade.
Here is the barricade.
This is Old Rt. 66 farther south from the lake. Follow CR1.25E around a series of curves where it becomes CR1E. This section of the route ends where it is severed by I-55. You can continue on the frontage road to cross I-55 and rejoin the later alignment just south of Glenarm.

Comments, questions, or corrections - steve@ilrt66.com