St Mary Carmelite Church (Closed 1991), Joliet IL.

A sign of busier times - a former drive through window in a Wilmington alley.

An abandoned rail siding in Wilmington.

The famous 1928 Riviera Restaurant is on the way into Gardner. It's been a fixture on the Route for 80 years - let's hope someone saves it.

Old grain facility, Gardner IL.

The abandoned Dawg House on Route 66 Diner was one of the first buildings we met on an old section of Route 66 suburban street in Dwight.

We found the Smaterjax Grill & Pizzeria based on a Route 66 Dining Guide recommendation but alas it was closed down too.

The interior of the abandoned Smaterjax Grill & Pizzeria - it looked like you could expect someone to arrive any moment to open for business. They must have just locked the door and walked away.

Old Hotel & neon, Dwight IL.

An abandoned Old Mobil Station in Odell IL.

An abandoned and filled in pedestrian subway, Odell IL. Hard to believe that this suburban street was once so busy that pedestrians needed a subway to safely cross the road. It's just a quiet and narrow suburban street now.

Old Log Cabin Restaurant Original Gas Station Section, Pontiac IL.

Old shops, Towanda IL.

Don't buy fuel here!

The old railroad depot, Funks Grove IL.

Old shops, McLean IL.

More old shops, McLean IL.

Ruined old shop on the town square, McLean IL.

Former State Bank of Virden, Virden IL.

Abandoned Nilwood IL Public School (1927) rotting away on Route 66 on the outskirts of town.

Abandoned house near the abandoned school, Nilwood IL.

Old Public School now converted to apartments, Carlinville IL.

Closed 1920 Bridge South of Carlinville IL - classic early Route 66.

The Vic Suhling Gas sign in Litchfield IL is one of the most photographed on the Route. The sign is all that's left - no gas station.

This is just part of an abandoned complex of a Motel, Cafe etc in Litchfield IL.

Abandoned Motel rooms and office, Litchfield IL.

Abandoned Motel wing, Litchfield IL.

The Bel Air Drive In Sign in Mitchell IL - just a sign, no Drive In!

The long abandoned Twin Oaks gas station and its neon sign, in Mitchell IL.

The old Chain of Rocks Bridge with its 22 degree dogleg is a Route 66 icon near Venice MO enroute St Louis.

This closed and abandoned on-ramp just across from the Eat Rite Diner in St Louis leads to an abandoned "freeway" style section of closed old route 66 - almost like a small version of an interstate. 2 lanes each way stretching to some old bridges a few hundred yards away, all closed and abandoned - I would love to have had time to explore it but alas the Route was calling me on!

Originally Diamonds and later the Tri County Restaurant; this was a substantial art deco building in Villa Ridge MO - alas it appears to have been boarded up for quite some time.

An abandoned motel in St Clair MO.

Old roadside stop, St Clair MO.

Another Route 66 mainstay bites the dust - the closed Route 66 Cafe, Cuba MO.

Abandoned Derby Station, St James MO.

The famous and VERY well photographed abandoned Johns Modern Cabins Sign, near Doolittle MO.

One of the better preserved "modern cabins"!

Pingas abandoned Mexican Restaurant, near Doolittle MO.

Old decaying building, Devils Elbow MO.

This marker marks where land was donated at some time for use as a park - however it seems to be part of someones front yard now?!

First Home Savings Bank Building, Marshfield MO.

Abandoned Hotel Stirling, Springfield MO.

Abandoned house, Plano MO.

OLD ruins, Plano MO.

Former Post Office, Paris Springs MO.

Abandoned garage, Avilla MO.

Abandoned workshop, Avilla MO.

Long-abandoned old Phillips 66 Station Complex under Refurbishment, Spencer MO.

LONG Abandoned Building, Avilla MO.

Abandoned Stone Building, Avilla MO.

The old Boots Motel now serving as apartments, Carthage MO.

The Star Lanes Bowling Alley has seen better days, Carthage MO.

Former Post Office, Carthage MO.

Old overpass foundations, Webb City MO.

Abandoned brothel with a colourful history (don't they all?) opposite the 4 Women on the Route Restored Gas Station, Galena KS.

The former Troy Steam Laundry & Lucky Miner, Galena KS. They sound like they could tell some stories.

Old abandoned building, Galena KS.

Abandoned businesses, Galena KS.

Very old car sales sign, Baxter Springs KS.

Abandoned Phillips 66 Station, Miami OK.

Abandoned shop with its neon reading 'Wardrobe', Miami OK.

Guests are not welcome anymore at the abandoned Raimer Hotel, still with its neon sign, Afton OK.

The abandoned Rest Haven Motel Neon Sign, Afton OK. Full house here too.

Dead Mans Corner and LONG abandoned gas station ruin, north of Vinita OK.

Interesting 1884 building & old faded signage, Vinita OK.

The decayed buildings of the abandoned Country Court Motel, White Oak OK.

The abandoned Chelsea Motel, Chelsea OK.

An abandoned house slowly falling in, Chelsea OK.

Don't rely on getting your car fixed at this abandoned garage in Chelsea OK.

Your clothes will get dusty in this abandoned Laundromat, Chelsea OK.

An abandoned Chelsea OK historic building, one of dozens crumbling away downtown.

More closed businesses in Main Street, Chelsea OK.

The abandoned Country Cafe, Foyil OK, right next door to the ......

The former El Sueno Courts (now Adobe Village Apartments), once of Route 66 fame, Claremore OK.

The former Arrowood Trading Post is another Route 66 icon at Catoosa OK.

Abandoned Alan-Bowden groceries (former Gas Station), Tulsa OK.

Abandoned O'Bryans Bar, Tulsa OK.

A bizarre sight in Sapulpa OK is this old Diner incorporating boats into its structure.

Former Cotton Gin then Diner now Antiques store former Route 66 Diner building, Kellyville OK.

A number of old oil pumps of this iconic "nodder" variety are passed along the way, along with their associated......

tanks and other gear.

The outside of a quaint old store next to Spanglers in Depew OK, cleverly painted to disguise the desolation within....

.... wouldn't you love to know the history behind this old building, this street, this town, Depew OK?

More murals on an abandoned building, Depew OK.

Abandoned restaurant, Depew OK.

Another abandoned ruined building crumbling away in Depew OK. It looks like it's been like this since Old Route 66 was diverted in the 1920s.

Our final glimpse of Depew OK - more fascinating abandoned ruined building art.

Old building partly boarded up with an old faded sign, Stroud OK.

Former Gas Station with 'Mother Road' mural, Davenport OK.

Abandoned old buildings and businesses, Chandler OK.

The long, LONG abandoned Little Brothers Station, Luther OK.

Closed 1924 Lake Overholser Bridge, Oklahoma City OK.

Abandoned Deer Diner, Yukon OK.

Old closed Standard Station, Yukon OK.

Huge Grain elevator & abandoned video business, El Reno OK.

Abandoned Los Campanarios Restaurant, El Reno OK.

Crumbling abandoned buildings, El Reno OK.

Old shop & mural, Calumet OK.

Closed Moberleys Grocery, Calumet OK.

Abandoned old truck in field, Calumet OK.

Abandoned business, Main Street Geary OK.

Abandoned Desmonds Supper Club Restaurant, Geary OK.

Abandoned Rusty Bucket Cafe, Geary OK.

Closed Roadhouse, Geary OK.

Abandoned gas station, Geary OK.

Lucille's is a Route 66 icon near Hydro OK, now replaced by a new Lucille's slightly further west.

The original Lucille's east of Hydro OK once boasted this old motel - however it doesn't appear to have accepted guests for QUITE some time.

This long abandoned Texaco Station is a forlorn sight in Hydro OK.

The abandoned Route 66 Soda Fountain in Hydro OK was once a Route 66 icon but we had to slake our thirst elsewhere.

The abandoned Route 66 Drive In's Ticket Booth near Weatherford OK - gradually being reclaimed by nature.

Abandoned Route 66 Drive In Cafeteria and one of the two screen, Weatherford OK.

The abandoned Kobels Place, Foss OK.

Former Cotton Boll Motel, Canute OK.

Former Uniroyal Tyres, Canute OK.

Former Washita Motel, Canute OK.

Just west of Canute OK we found this little dead-end bit of old concrete Route 66 - a classic example of how it was chopped into pieces by the interstate highways, I-40 in this case. Beware monsters if you drive straight ahead!

Former Westland Theatre, Elk City OK.

Large closed building, Main Street Elk City OK.

Abandoned Stovall Theatre, Sayre OK.

We spotted these odd symbols on the sign for the abandoned Stovall Theatre in Sayre OK. I'd love to learn their significance if any reader has any info please share it with me!

Abandoned Berts, Sayre OK - what was this place, a bar maybe?

Another abandoned interesting building, Sayre OK.

Abandoned Service Station, Sayre OK.

Closed business, Sayre OK.

Closed Service Station, Sayre OK.

An abandoned, and yes, ghostly, former Route 66 alignment runs for miles in its concrete glory alongside the existing alignment near Hext OK. I was all for trying to drive a section but Jo sensibly talked me out of it! Apparently this section may become a bike trail.

Former Elm Motel, Erick OK.

Former Brandin Iron, Erick OK.

Abandoned 'The Dixie' Snow Cones, Erick OK.

Abandoned First National Bank (1907), Erick OK.

Abandoned Cabana Motel, Erick OK.

Abandoned motel complex, Erick OK.

Former gas station, Erick OK.

Abandoned Water Hole #2, Texola OK.

An abandoned house slowly rotting away, Texola OK.

Long abandoned Gas Station, Texola OK.

An abandoned business with a sign reading "No Place Like Texola", Texola OK.

Abandoned workshop, Texola OK.

Another abandoned, boarded-up house, Texola OK. A sad farewell to Oklahoma.

Abandoned Motel complex & VERY old sign, Shamrock TX.

The U Drop In Tower Conoco station in Shamrock TX is a famous Route 66 icon.

Abandoned Service Station and other businesses and a faded water tower, McLean TX.

A street of abandoned and empty houses, McLean TX.

Abandoned Gas Station, McLean TX.

Closed business, McLean TX.

Route 66 Motors, McLean TX.

Bradley Kiser 1930 66 Super Service Station, Alanreed TX.

Long abandoned Tourist Cabins, Conway TX.

Former Buddys Cafe, Conway TX.

Abandoned large brick building, Conway TX. Thanks to Bob and Georgia for pointing out that this was most likely a WPA-era school building.

Amarillo TX has its share of abandoned sites, this is an abandoned BBQ Ribs Restaurant in downtown.

Another abandoned gas station, Vega TX. Like so many other closed businesses we saw on Route 66, this one looked like they just locked up one day and never came back.

This abandoned Shell Gas Station looked like it hadn't been closed THAT long, Vega TX.

Former Shops in Vega TX. The signs in the window of the 1922 one read "Welcome to Vega" and "Vega, the town you will never want to leave". Sad.

Closed Bent Door Midway Station and Phillips 66 Station - another Route 66 icon in Adrian TX.

This bandoned art deco Diner is an interesting sight on old Route 66 through Glenrio TX.

Long abandoned Gas & Service Centre, Glenrio TX.

An abandoned Motel & Cafe, Glenrio TX. Claremore OK.

Abandoned Service Station is just a shell now (pardon the pun!!), Glenrio TX.

Abandoned truck and other junk outside yet another abandoned Service Station, Glenrio TX.

Abandoned Tourist Complex 'Modern Rest Room', Endee NM - long abandoned.

Endee NM is just a name on a map now. This is an abandoned tourist complex slowly rotting away in the dry climate.

Abandoned Tourist Complex, Endee NM.

This abandoned tourist complex seems to be all that remains of Bard NM.

Abandoned Diner & Bar 'Pour House', San Jon NM. Clever, LOL!

Abandoned Motel Complex, San Jon NM; one of many we saw in this disappearing town. Note the unusual way the front awning has collapsed.

Abandoned Ninth Street Motel, San Jon NM.

Abandoned Western Motel & its rusty neon sign, San Jon NM.

Abandoned Drive-In Diner & its neon sign, Tucumcari NM.

Abandoned Economy Inn Motel in Tucumcari NM was once a reasonable sized place but like so many other closed businesses it looks like the owners just didn't come to work one day. The rooms even contained ALL the fittings still - bed, TV etc but have been broken into and trashed. The swimming pool, office etc are all still in place. Sheesh.

Abandoned Economy Inn Motel Lobby & Sign, Tucumcari NM.

The abandoned Ranch House Cafe and its neon sign, Tucumcari NM. No Mexican meals here anymore.

This abandoned Trading Post still displays its old neon sign in Tucumcari NM. It seemed to have offered boot repairs.

The abandoned Lasso Motel neon sign, Tucumcari NM.

Abandoned Diner, Tucumcari NM.

First the Gas Station Complex was abandoned then someone dumped a car here - what a picture of decrepitude, Cuervo NM.

Crumbling building, Cuervo NM.

Old stone business, Santa Rosa NM.

Old warehouse, Santa Rosa NM.

The abandoned Longhorn Ranch had a motel with a neon sign, Wagon Wheel NM.

Abandoned house, Dilia NM.

This former Drug Store overlooks the square, Las Vegas NM.

This Village Square panoramic view is the best way to convey the sheer desolation of Tecolote NM.

Old Route 66 did pass through Tecolote NM MANY years ago. The bit that's left ends now at the pylons of this defunct bridge.

Looking from the high part of Tecolote NM back over ruined buildings and general decay.

Route 66 through San Jose NM ends at this closed 1921 Thru-Truss Bridge. I walked to the end but old Route 66 couldn't be discerned in the overgrowth and long grass.

Village scene, San Jose NM. This place has NOT thrived since it was bypassed!

Abandoned E T Padilla Grocery Store & Victory Bar has long guarded this spot in Rowe NM.

Closed Route 66 Malt Shop & Grill, Albuquerque NM.

Closed 1933 Through Truss Bridge, Rio Puerco NM.

This abandoned house was the view we had of Laguna NM from old Route 66 so we didn't approach any closer.

The now closed Red Mountain Market & Deli, Thoreau NM.

Abandoned Trading Post with interesting murals, Thoreau NM.

Fort Courage Trading Post in Houck AZ, said to be the home of "F Troop", is now closed and abandoned.

Fort Courage Trading Post Abandoned Pancake House Restaurant, Houck AZ.

1923 bridge to nowhere, Sanders AZ.

At one time Route 66 passed right through the Petrified Forest National Park AZ. The old power poles mark the route although it is now heavily overgrown.

This old business & tepee looked interesting, Joseph City AZ. City AZ

Abandoned Ellas Frontier, Joseph City AZ. City AZ

This closed Trading Post & large Route 66 map are all that is to be found at Meteor City AZ.

All that's left at Two Guns AZ are these Tourist Complex ruins.

Tourist Complex zoo ruins - Mountain Lions, Two Guns AZ.

Tourist Complex ruins - old bridge, Two Guns AZ

Abandoned Trading Post, Twin Arrows AZ.

Old closed bridge with a view to Mt Taylor, Winona AZ.