Retro Roadside Stays on Route 66

In the early days of America’s famous highway, families built small motels that lit up the night with neon signs. Those roadside hotels were more than places to sleep; they became landmarks for travelers heading west. Some still welcome guests today, while others live only in old photographs and stories.

Current Gems

• Braidwood Motel – Beside a gas station on Washington Street, offering Wi‑Fi and kitchenettes in every room. A local favorite for decades, it continues to serve visitors from surrounding counties.
• CarlinVilla Motel – A family operation in Carlinville that prides itself on nostalgic charm. Free Wi‑Fi, air conditioning, and laundry facilities are standard, with optional extra appliances at reception. The website promises a cozy atmosphere echoing the golden era of road trips.
• Cindy Lyn Motel – Founded in 1960 near Chicago, it has grown from a single‑person staff to a 25‑member team. Today it boasts 65 rooms, hot tubs, and themed suites while still remembering its humble beginnings when a cab driver received a free lighter as a courtesy.
• Super Shine Motel – Opened in 2023, it offers modern amenities like refrigerators and kitchenettes in each renovated room. It shows that the tradition of welcoming travelers continues even today.

Historic Legends

• Arrow Motel (Dwight) – Once run by the Strufe family after inheriting it from Danish immigrants, this colorful spot served guests of all social classes. Its personal touches made it a memorable stop on Route 66.
• Eagle Hotel (Wilmington) – Built in 1836, long before the highway’s creation, it was a community hub for stagecoach travelers and local workers. Now privately owned, its old building still stands in Wilmington’s downtown.
• Globe Motel & Wheel Inn (Dwight) – These inns changed names and purposes before eventually closing.
• Apollo & Hobbs (Joliet) – Listed in 1929, these hotels once lined the streets but have since disappeared.

These stories remind us that the road was more than asphalt; it was a network of welcoming homes that reflected America’s evolving culture.