STOCKTON — Stockton Heritage Museum will host Bryan Farr, president and founder of the Seneca Falls, New York based Historic Route 20 Association, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 5 at the Stockton Heritage Museum, 107 West Front Avenue, in Stockton.

Farr will be sharing stories of the history, presidents, natural wonders, quirky roadside attractions and more connected to U.S. Route 20. While it never had a song covered by numerous artists, a TV show or entered into the pop culture history like Route 66 did, U.S. Route 20 has stood the test of time. It may play second fiddle to 66, but 20 holds the designation of America’s Longest Highway. 

Created on same day as its famous cousin, Route 20 has its beginnings in Boston and treks 3,365 miles through 12 states to the Pacific Ocean at Newport, Oregon. It is a journey through history, evolving from Native American paths that became commerce roads of colonial America, to the trails of emigrants headed west. U.S. Route 20 is a story of America. 

Farr founded the Historic Route 20 organization in 2012 after his own cross-country trip on the highway two years prior. Historic Route 20 focuses on connecting and raising the profiles of the communities along the original 1926 alignments of the highway. To get people from around the world interested in taking Route 20 as an alternative to Route 66, the organization has placed over 300 signs to guide travelers and spark interest in the route to date. In neighboring Iowa, a state historic auto highway designation for Highway 20’s original alignment was obtained — a goal he hopes to obtain in other states.  

In Northwest Illinois, Route 20 has to play second fiddle to Route 66 in many ways, from a cultural, tourism economic standpoint. With the centennial of the U.S. Highway System approaching in 2026, focus on Route 20 is more important than ever to highlight the many great communities across the country and to say there is more than one route turning 100 years old.

The event is free and open to all audiences. Stockton Heritage Museum is a not-for-profit entity dedicated to the preservation and teaching of Stockton area history. Visit the museum May to October on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment. 

For more information, visit www.stocktonheritagemuseum.org, follow on Facebook: Stockton-Heritage-Museum-309324911534, email info@stocktonheritagemuseum.org, or leave a message at 815-947-2220.