AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Great Lakes and Ohio Valley => Topic started by: Route66Fan on February 07, 2021, 04:02:08 PM

Title: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 07, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I've started working on mapping out the 1918 route of the Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway. I am working from West to East.
The map that I am working on can be found here (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=15t8ecz_kxLqcP5zV52M6BQFSVS2bpIf_&usp=sharing).
Currently, I've got the route mapped, in Illinois, from Hannibal, MO to Jacksonville, ILL.
I've also mapped out the routing of the autotrail in Missouri here (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1dIZQ0EY6vqCMvrngnfOoGxIvWP9qg6VS&usp=sharing).
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: 3467 on February 07, 2021, 04:18:18 PM
That might explain why that corridor was on then first map of proposed TollRoads and Free Roads.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: edwaleni on February 07, 2021, 10:40:30 PM
Quote from: Route66Fan on February 07, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I've started working on mapping out the 1918 route of the Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway. I am working from West to East.
The map that I am working on can be found here (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=15t8ecz_kxLqcP5zV52M6BQFSVS2bpIf_&ll=39.72380667482149%2C-91.13605349999999&z=12).
Currently, I've got the route mapped, in Illinois, from Hannibal, MO to Jacksonville, ILL.
I've also mapped out the routing of the autotrail in Missouri here (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=1dIZQ0EY6vqCMvrngnfOoGxIvWP9qg6VS&ll=39.618138978818536%2C-93.06014115811438&z=9).

Your embedded link attempts to put the viewer in edit mode and wants authentication. Which of course, only you can edit it.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 08, 2021, 07:44:08 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on February 07, 2021, 10:40:30 PM
Quote from: Route66Fan on February 07, 2021, 04:02:08 PM
I've started working on mapping out the 1918 route of the Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway. I am working from West to East.
The map that I am working on can be found here (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=15t8ecz_kxLqcP5zV52M6BQFSVS2bpIf_&ll=39.72380667482149%2C-91.13605349999999&z=12).
Currently, I've got the route mapped, in Illinois, from Hannibal, MO to Jacksonville, ILL.
I've also mapped out the routing of the autotrail in Missouri here (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=1dIZQ0EY6vqCMvrngnfOoGxIvWP9qg6VS&ll=39.618138978818536%2C-93.06014115811438&z=9).

Your embedded link attempts to put the viewer in edit mode and wants authentication. Which of course, only you can edit it.
I've fixed it. The links should work now. Thank you.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 08, 2021, 07:55:51 AM
I've added the section between Baylis, ILL to Jacksonville, ILL.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 08, 2021, 09:30:29 AM
Another section has been added from Jacksonville, ILL to Springfield, ILL.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: edwaleni on February 08, 2021, 09:31:54 PM
The part where it crossed the Illinois River at Griggsville Landing (a.k.a Valley City) was a ferry called Phillips Ferry. But I think the ferry crossed south of the tracks, not north. But i will check that out.

I think the trail curved south along the Mauvaise Terre Creek (which is really an old river flood route) and the tracks and finally ferried across next to it.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 08, 2021, 10:19:35 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on February 08, 2021, 09:31:54 PM
The part where it crossed the Illinois River at Griggsville Landing (a.k.a Valley City) was a ferry called Phillips Ferry. But I think the ferry crossed south of the tracks, not north. But i will check that out.

I think the trail curved south along the Mauvaise Terre Creek (which is really an old river flood route) and the tracks and finally ferried across next to it.
Volume 5 of the "Official Automobile Blue Book", which I am using to map the route out, does mention a ferry that charged 50c at that location.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 08, 2021, 10:20:55 PM
I've added another section of the autotrail between Springfield, ILL & Decatur, ILL.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: edwaleni on February 08, 2021, 10:38:25 PM
OK, figured this out.

Phillips Ferry (which dates back to 1810!) crossed north of the original railroad bridge (now moved south).

This is why the Trails Road makes the turn where it does, it was following the original route of the now Norfolk Southern (former Wabash Railroad) to the shoreline of the Illinois River. It was here, cars would cross using the ferry over to Valley City just north of the rail bridge.

In 1952, the railroad bridge was replaced with a new lift span by the Corp of Engineers just south to replace the swing span. Wabash moved the railroad further south for the new bridge.

It was then the State of Illinois decommissioned what was then County-10 and with it the ferry that had been in continuous service since before Illinois became a state.

People had to drive down to Florence and use US-36 instead. It appears on the 1925 Auto Trails map that the preferred ferry route was at Florence.

This was the former ferry at Florence, just before the bridge was built. So I am sure Phillips Ferry didn't look to different.

(https://bridgehunter.com/photos/48/86/488606-L.jpg)
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 09, 2021, 01:40:01 AM
I've updated part of the routing just West of Riverton, ILL.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 09, 2021, 01:41:52 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on February 08, 2021, 10:38:25 PM
OK, figured this out.

Phillips Ferry (which dates back to 1810!) crossed north of the original railroad bridge (now moved south).

This is why the Trails Road makes the turn where it does, it was following the original route of the now Norfolk Southern (former Wabash Railroad) to the shoreline of the Illinois River. It was here, cars would cross using the ferry over to Valley City just north of the rail bridge.

In 1952, the railroad bridge was replaced with a new lift span by the Corp of Engineers just south to replace the swing span. Wabash moved the railroad further south for the new bridge.

It was then the State of Illinois decommissioned what was then County-10 and with it the ferry that had been in continuous service since before Illinois became a state.

People had to drive down to Florence and use US-36 instead. It appears on the 1925 Auto Trails map that the preferred ferry route was at Florence.

This was the former ferry at Florence, just before the bridge was built. So I am sure Phillips Ferry didn't look to different.

(https://bridgehunter.com/photos/48/86/488606-L.jpg)
Thanks for the information & the picture. I was wondering when the railroad was moved.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 10, 2021, 03:20:15 AM
The section between Decatur, ILL & Atwood, ILL is now up.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 10, 2021, 05:02:12 AM
Another section from Atwood, ILL to Newman, ILL is up.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 10, 2021, 07:35:59 AM
The final part in Illinois from Newman, ILL to Montezuma, IN, is now up.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: hotdogPi on February 10, 2021, 07:46:07 AM
Calling it ILL (usually only the 2-letter postal abbreviations are in all caps) reminds me of this (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=15169) awful thread.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: edwaleni on February 10, 2021, 09:57:40 AM
I appreciate these Auto Trails locations because it helps me locate old ROW's or in some cases old gas stations, auto garages that serviced these travelers.

Like in this case, I noticed that a special grading was installed for the highway in what was probably semi-rural Decatur Illinois at the time. Today it looks out of place. Built around 1924 is my guess.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50929441186_02642a1134_z.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50929441281_d70b746c24_z.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50929441331_d3fd8963ed_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Finrod on February 11, 2021, 02:17:12 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on February 10, 2021, 09:57:40 AM
Like in this case, I noticed that a special grading was installed for the highway in what was probably semi-rural Decatur Illinois at the time. Today it looks out of place. Built around 1924 is my guess.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50929441186_02642a1134_z.jpg)


Reminds me quite a bit of the original routing of US 66 in eastern Oklahoma, where the corners are rounded off as 66 zig-zags through the grid, like these:

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.6997236,-94.9456523,183m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7284358,-94.9452599,181m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.815649,-94.9094963,302m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8297656,-94.9090714,192m/data=!3m1!1e3
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: edwaleni on February 11, 2021, 02:58:41 PM
I am not sure where you will post the Indiana route, but here is a 1920 map of Hendricks County, Indiana with the Pikes Peak road clearly labeled.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50932860153_f1ac9db93e_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 12, 2021, 05:20:13 AM
Quote from: 1 on February 10, 2021, 07:46:07 AM
Calling it ILL (usually only the 2-letter postal abbreviations are in all caps) reminds me of this (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=15169) awful thread.
I wasn't sure if the abbreviation was ILL, or IL.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: Route66Fan on February 12, 2021, 05:36:53 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on February 11, 2021, 02:58:41 PM
I am not sure where you will post the Indiana route, but here is a 1920 map of Hendricks County, Indiana with the Pikes Peak road clearly labeled.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50932860153_f1ac9db93e_b.jpg)
Thanks for the map. I think I am going to map out the Kansas section next before I map out the Indiana section.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: hotdogPi on February 12, 2021, 06:12:31 AM
Quote from: Route66Fan on February 12, 2021, 05:20:13 AM
Quote from: 1 on February 10, 2021, 07:46:07 AM
Calling it ILL (usually only the 2-letter postal abbreviations are in all caps) reminds me of this (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=15169) awful thread.
I wasn't sure if the abbreviation was ILL, or IL.

Either IL or Ill. is fine.
Title: Re: Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway - Illinois Section
Post by: edwaleni on February 15, 2021, 06:03:01 PM
I found a trails map key from an archive for Illinois

http://exhibits.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/athome/1920/maps/roadkeym.gif (http://exhibits.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/athome/1920/maps/roadkeym.gif)