Downtown Plainfield, Ill., which hosts not one, but two historic highways, was named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service.
Plainfield’s Downtown Historic District is bounded by Lockport, Main and Division streets. The listing was effective Sept. 18, but the NPS didn’t send out the notice until after the shutdown of the federal government ended.
The National Register designation makes building owners eligible for 20 percent rehabilitation tax credits on improvements they make to their properties.
Plainfield hosted a 1940s and ’50s alignment of Route 66, going down Main and Division streets through downtown during the pre-interstate era. Downtown Plainfield also hosts a segment of the Lincoln Highway, which predates Route 66, in the downtown area.
John Weiss’ “Traveling the New, Historic Route 66 of Illinois” guidebook mentions Plainfield:
This town is very picturesque. Many impressive church steeples add a country charm. Go for a walk along the quaint three-block business district. There are many fine antique and specialty shops. Several unique restaurants beckon you.
According to the city’s website, Plainfield dates to 1830 and is Will County’s oldest community. It is nicknamed “The Birthplace of Chicago” because the fledgling city depended on Plainfield for mail and supplies. Plainfield also reputedly was the birthplace of the ice cream sundae.
(Image of downtown Plainfield via Village of Plainfield)
Division St. from Commercial to Lockport is out of this historic district, but If I am not mistaken, they are the ONLY three blocks where 66 and the Lincoln Highways overlapped. That’s kind of nuts they left it out.