Congress designated Highway 20 as a federal highway in 1926. The result of this was the evolution of Highway 20 as the most important road traversing northern Illinois. From Chicago to the Mississippi River, the road served both as farm-to-market route for local farmers and a vital link for interstate travelers. This book celebrates a journey across Illinois on historic Highway 20 as illustrated by more than 200 postcards showing the personality of the road, small towns, scenic vistas, and historic sites, as well as the tourist courts, hotels, diners, and roadside businesses that helped make automobile travel possible.

From the Postcard History Series.

Michael J. Till is a retired university professor. He grew up on Route 20 and has had a lifelong interest in the road. All illustrations are from his personal collection of more than 2,500 vintage Route 20 postcards.