Route 66 was the first roadway that connected Chicago to Los Angeles, creating the shortest route between the midwest and west coast. Established in 1926, this route became popular and many motels, roadside attractions, and gas stations popped up for travelers to stop at along the way. In 1985, the route was decommissioned but there are still many sites you can visit along this old historic route including Ambler's Texaco Gas Station in Dwight.

Along a section of Illinois' historic Route 66 in the Village of Dwight is a former gas station. Ambler's Texaco Gas Station looks more like a cottage than a place travelers once stopped for fuel, but there was a reason for that.

At the time Ambler's was built, gas stations were a fairly new thing and oil companies decided it would be best to build them with a more inviting feel that would blend well into residential surroundings.

Ambler's Texaco Gas Station was originally built in 1933 by a man named Jack Shore. The original structure had an office, windows with shutters and flower boxes, an ice house, and three Texaco gas pumps underneath a canopy out front.

The station eventually got its name from Basil "Tubby" Ambler who managed it from 1938-1966. Ambler's went through several ownership changes throughout its years and has also been known as Vernon's Texaco Station and Becker's Marathon Gas Station.

Ambler's saw its last customer as a filling station in 1999, was restored, and then opened up as a Route 66 visitors' center in 2007. Not only is it now the visitors' center of the Village of Dwight, it also serves as a historical site and museum that's open to visitors traveling along Route 66.

Inside the small museum, you can marvel at old artifacts like the Model-T Ford fire engine from 1914.

You will also see the last gas pumps ever to be used along Route 66 between Illinois and California on display.

Have you visited the old Ambler's Texaco Gas Station in Dwight? What is your favorite roadside attraction along Illinois' historic Route 66? Feel free to start a discussion in the comment section.

For more information on Ambler's Texaco Gas Station, visit the webpage. You can learn about other fascinating Route 66 stops in Illinois in this post.