Centennial Marker Sign.

Centennial Marker Sign Where Route 66 Begins

In 2024, the Chicago Tourism Office launched a campaign to honor Route 66 ahead of ahead of the Route 66 Centennial (1926-2026). You can find one here across from the Art Institute, by the Orchestra Hall, at the beginning of Route 66. There are other signs along Ogden Avenue at 1969 W. Ogden, 3100 W. Ogden and 3801 W. Ogden.

As you turn the corner from Michigan into E Adams St. on the north side of the street is the famous BEGIN Historic Illinois US 66 brown and white road-sign shield on a light post, there is second one on the south side of Adams, half way down the block, to your left. We have already described these road-signs further up in our Route 66 'Begin' Sign section.

Historic Route 66 Marker Sign

On the corner, to your left ( SE corner here) of Wabash and Adams is a formal Route 66 "Begins" marker sign (street view), pictured. With a U.S. 66 shield superimposed on a map of the Chicago area.

Here, running above Wabash is the the elevated railroad known as The Chicago "L" (short for "elevated") which dates back to the 1890s.