Litchfield’s connection to lakes and Route 66 create small-town charm
Litchfield is a small rural community surrounded by farmland and close to a recreational lake. Originally established as a railroad town in the 1850s, Litchfield became popular for its historic and cultural ties to U.S. Route 66. While the city is mostly residential, it has multiple commercial avenues. The city is almost halfway between Springfield, about 46 miles north, and St. Louis, Missouri, around 55 miles southwest. “For a small town, they do have some employment opportunities. There’s an industrial park and factories, and it’s not very far from Springfield. A lot of people will commute there to work,” says Mike Mihelcic, a real estate agent with Re/Max Alliance, who has about 13 years of experience.
A diverse selection of single-family homes
Most homes in the city are lined along narrow roads, accompanied by grassy yards and a driveway. Traditional single-story and ranch-style homes built between the 1950s and 1990s are common. Most have simple exteriors, though some resemble cottages. There are also traditional two-story homes and American Foursquares. Victorian homes from the 1900s to the 1930s are popular, with farmhouse features such as pointed roofs and a front porch. Prices range from $40,000 to $260,000, depending on property size, age and condition.
Additional housing options are available outside the city, including ranch-style homes, raised ranches and split levels. These properties have more land and cost around $215,000 to $550,000. Contemporary multistory homes from the 1990s to 2000s exist but are rarely for sale.
Recreation in city parks and on Lake Lou Yaeger
Davis Park is one of Litchfield's larger green spaces, with playground equipment, two tennis courts and a fenced-in dog park. It also has an outdoor pool and the Litchfield Community Center. Nearby, Echlin Park has a basketball court and three baseball fields for Little League. At the southern end of town, Walton Park is located along Walton Lake and has picnic pavilions and a disc golf course. Members of the Litchfield Country Club have access to a 9-hole golf course.
Lake Lou Yaeger sits roughly 4 miles northeast of the city. Two marinas offer opportunities for boating and fishing, and multiple campgrounds are in the area. Milnot Beach has a sandy shore for swimming, where kayaking and paddleboarding are also allowed. The beach offers daily and seasonal passes. “A lot of people have been coming to Litchfield with their horses, because there are a lot of horse trails out there by the lake,” Mihelcic says. The Shoal Creek Conservation Area spans across Lake Lou Yaeger’s eastern shoreline and has two hiking trails.
Retail and restaurants downtown and along Union Ave
Downtown Litchfield is one of two commercial and industrial areas, where small businesses line State Street. The Briar Rose is a popular consignment shop, and there are also hair salons and furniture stores. Gianni’s Pizza serves casual Italian. “The old downtown district has a pickers market the second Sunday of each month. It’s a big antique festival. They shut the whole street down,” Mihelcic says.
The intersection of U.S. Route 66 and Union Avenue is another area of commerce There’s a Walmart Supercenter and national retailers like Harbor Freight. Litchfield Plaza is a shopping center with an Aldi and various clothing stores. Jubelt’s Bakery & Restaurant offers a breakfast menu and serves homestyle dinners. Next door, The Ariston Café has a globally inspired menu. Farther west along Union Avenue is a collection of fast-food eateries.
The city’s historic and cultural ties to Route 66
U.S. Route 66 travels north and south through Litchfield and has an impact on the city’s identity. The Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center has exhibits exploring the history of both the region and road. Across the street, The Ariston Café is considered one of the oldest restaurants along Route 66, having opened in 1924. Similarly, the city’s Sky View Drive-In Theater opened in 1950 and is one of the route’s last continuously operating drive-ins.
B-rated Litchfield public schools
The city is served by Litchfield Community School District 12. The Litchfield Early Childhood Center enrolls kindergarten and first grade, while Litchfield Elementary School teaches grades second through fifth. From there, students can attend Litchfield Middle School. Litchfield High School offers dual enrollment and the ability to earn a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. All four schools earn B grades from Niche.
Lincoln Land Community College has an outreach campus in the city offering both college credit and non-credit courses.
Driving around Litchfield and the South-Central Illinois area
Litchfield’s narrow streets and surrounding landscape require a vehicle to navigate. The city has access to three major commuter routes: Interstate 55, Illinois state Route 16 and U.S. Route 66. I-55 runs west of Litchfield – drivers can use it to reach Springfield and St. Louis. Route 16, known locally as Union Avenue, travels east to Hillsboro and west to Gillespie. The city’s HSHS St. Francis Hospital is located far east on Union Ave. The Litchfield Municipal Airport is about 2 miles from downtown, but travelers use St. Louis Lambert International Airport, roughly 65 miles away.
