 |
|
U.S. 40: Terre Haute, Indiana
Before we start out on our two-lane highway adventure ... let's eat! |
Right at the historical junction of U.S. 40 and U.S. 41, the Crossroads of America, is Boo's Crossroads Cafe/La Familia di Jeshua, depending on the time of day.
Boo's cafe fare will do nicely for breakfast or lunch. In the afternoon, Boo goes home and Jeshua takes over, crafting specialty pizzas or Italian sandwiches and such for dinner.
Now that your tummy is full, let's head west.
Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute's Main Street
U.S. 40 today is routed one block north of the historical junction, but for our journey we will travel the few short blocks along the old route from here.
Traveling west on "old" U.S. 40 takes you down Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute's Main Street. At the end of the road is the Vigo County Courthouse, completed in 1888.
Turn north and go one block to pick up current U.S. 40. The highway takes you across the Wabash River and along the "Grade" over the lowlands surrounding the river.
A scant two miles later you enter West Terre Haute. Zip right on through and just beyond the western edge of town is a stretch of Old 40 that runs up Derby Hill.
Historically speaking
Follow the sign for the Historic National Road by turning south onto Darwin Road. Turn back west at the four-way stop. This little spur takes you up Derby Hill, where boys and girls of an earlier age competed in soap box derby events.
Returning to the main highway, continue west toward where U.S. 40 and Interstate 70 join just before the Illinois state line.
But wait! Don't get on that interstate!
You should see the remnants of an old hotel along the north side of the highway right before you hit the on-ramp to the interstate.
Turn here.
This is another stretch of Old U.S. 40 that will take you to Illinois.
Photos
From top: U.S. 40 once ran right alongside the Vigo County Courthouse. The view from near the summit of Derby Hill on an old stretch of U.S. 40 west of West Terre Haute. The Stone Lodge Motel marks where motorists who want to stay off the interstate should to remain on Old 40. That's the four-lane version of 40 running in front of the motel.
Unique lodging | Bypassed, but not forgotten | Geocaching/Letterboxing | E-mail alerts |
About us | Contact us | U.S. travel sites
