incorrectly identified as the eastern terminus of historic U.S. Route 66 (the road to California), but, although near, it was not the end point of that historic route. The original eastern terminus was nearby at the intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. In a later alignment, the terminus was moved east two blocks through Grant Park to the intersection of Jackson and Lake Shore Drive after the latter was designated as U.S. Route 41. It remained there until the eastern terminus of Interstate 55 was completed at Lake Shore Drive, and then that also became the eastern terminus of Route 66 until I-55 completely replaced the route in Illinois and Route 66 was decommissioned. Nevertheless, many people still associate Buckingham Fountain with the start of Route 66, even though it had not been built yet when the route opened on November 11, 1926 — whereas the Fountain of the Great Lakes in the South Garden of the Art Institute of Chicago, which has been near the intersection of Jackson and Michigan since 1913, actually preceded Route 66 by 13 years and Buckingham Fountain by 14 years. Because Jackson is now a one way street going east, the historic commemorative signs for Route 66 now show "End" at Jackson, but "Begin" is moved one block north to Adams Street (in front of the Art Institute), which is a one way going west. Gallery See also History of fountains in the United States References External links Chicago Landmarks: Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain and Garden Chicago Park District: Buckingham Fountain Restore Buckingham Fountain Fountains in Illinois Chicago Landmarks Buildings and structures completed in 1927 Buildings and structures in Chicago Historic district contributing properties in Illinois 1927 establishments in Illinois Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Chicago Fish in art