Illinois Route 146

Infobox Illinois state route
article_route = 146
length_mi = 92.93
length_round = 2
length_ref = cite web |author=Illinois Technology Transfer Center |url=http://www.dot.state.il.us/gist2/select.html |title=T2 GIS Data |accessdate=2007-11-08 |date=2006]
direction = East-west
starting_terminus =
ending_terminus =
counties = Alexander, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin
cities = Jonesboro, Vienna, Golconda, Elizabethtown
established = 1926Carlson, Rich. [http://www.n9jig.com/141-160.html Illinois Highways Page: Routes 141 thru 160] . Last updated April 15, 2005. Retrieved June 26, 2006.]
prev_route = 145
next_route = 147
see_also =

Illinois Route 146 (IL-146) is an east-west state highway in the U.S. state of Illinois. It serves the extreme southern region of the state, commonly called Little Egypt or the Illinois Ozarks. IL-146 is convert|92.93|mi|km|2 long. An east-west highway, it serves Hardin County, Pope County, Johnson County, and Union County. These are some of the least-populated counties in Illinois. IL-146 serves two sections of the Shawnee National Forest.

Route description

IL-146 generally follows a land route of the Trail of Tears, a trail taken by bands of approximately 9,000 Cherokee who were forced to march through southern Illinois from November 1838 until January 1839 as part of a U.S. government mandated relocation. In 2006, the state of Illinois designated IL-146 as a historic highway and route of the Trail of Tears. [ "House Joint Resolution 142", Illinois 94th General Assembly, adopted November 29, 2006. [http://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=142&GAID=8&GA=94&DocTypeID=HJR&LegID=26217&SessionID=50] ]

IL-146 intersects with two U.S. Interstate Highways: Interstate 24 at exit 16 near Vienna, and Interstate 57 at exit 30 near Anna. IL-146 passes through an area of Illinois noted for scenic beauty and significant tourist visitation. State-operated parks and recreation areas on or adjacent to IL-146 include, from west to east:

*Union County Conservation Area near Jonesboro
*Trail of Tears State Forest near Jonesboro
*Cache River State Natural Area near Vienna
*Dixon Springs State Park near Dixon Springs
*Rauchfuss Hill State Recreation Area near Golconda
*Rose Hotel State Historic Site in Elizabethtown
*Cave-in-Rock State Park in Cave-in-Rock

The city of Jonesboro was the site of an open-air debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858. The site of the debate is preserved as a picnic area and park in Jonesboro.

History

SBI Route 146 originally ran from East Cape Girardeau east to Golconda. In 1937 it was extended east to Elizabethtown, replacing a leg of Illinois Route 34. In 1942 the road was extended east to Cave-In-Rock. There have been no changes since 1942.

External links

* [http://www.rosehotelbb.com/ Rose Hotel Bed and Breakfast] in Elizabethtown

References