Route 66 Illinois: Our Lady of the Highway
Posted by: 
Special.Ed
N 39° 19.965 W 089° 38.607
16S E 272158 N 4357035
Just south of Waggoner along Rt.66
Waymark Code: WM8B1
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 03/04/2006
Views: 46
Traveling Route 66 going south out of Springfield you will pass this famous highway shrine just south of Waggoner. Route 66 has always had a down side in that some stretches could be particularly dangerous with steep hills, blind curves, and narrow bridges. There's no doubt about it; Route 66 could be a very dangerous road sometimes. The Our Lady 0f the Highway Shrine was placed along Route 66 back in 1959 to remind motorists of the potential dangers and provide a place to say a prayer for a safe journey. You certainly wouldn't find something like this along the Interstate today would you? Today the Marten family who just so happens to live next door maintains the site. The shrine is located on the Marten family's farm so it doesn't violate any civil liberties, or separation of church and state, or public expression of faith laws. Yes, our country has changed quite a bit since the days of Route 66 - some for the better and some for the worse.
