Ogden Avenue

A quintessential piece of American history, Ogden Avenue is part of the original Historic Route 66 and is one of Berwyn’s most historically significant corridors. The stretch from Lombard Avenue to Harlem Avenue is filled with storied auto businesses, a retro vibe, and all the charm and convenience a well-traveled route should have. For locals, it’s a place to shop for everyday essentials, grab a quick bite, or get a tune-up — while passersby get to enjoy some of the art and statues that define the area and offer a nod to the street’s Rt. 66 past. Clear views of downtown Chicago are just off in the distance, making Ogden Avenue the perfect connection between the city and the suburbs. 

Originally known as “The High Prairie Trail,” Ogden Avenue dates back to Berwyn’s earliest origins.

In 1846, Theodore Doty was deeded land to what is present-day Berwyn, bound in part by the trail, which had been used as a trading route by the Algonquin tribe. The trail was muddy with large ditches on either side, making it difficult for stagecoaches to traverse and easy to get stuck in. So in 1848, Doty built an 8-foot-wide plank road, known as Old Plank Road or Southwestern Plank Road, between Chicago and the budding suburbs and villages outside the city.

When Thomas Baldwin purchased part of the land in 1856, he hoped to establish an affluent village named LaVergne between 31st Street and the plank road. But as Berwyn began growing, the treacherous Plank Road remained the only way to get to and from the LaVergne settlement. The horse-and-buggy trail often flooded from heavy rains spilling over from Mud Lake, and after only a few years the wood became warped and nearly unusable.

In 1872, the route was renamed Ogden Avenue after Chicago’s first mayor William Butler Ogden, who had purchased a stake of LaVergne land along the trail. By 1888, the area began to experience an increase in residents brought in with the addition of the Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1862 and the LaVergene depot station in 1874.

As the population grew, so did the community’s needs. Baldwin’s estate donated a small piece of land at Ogden, 34th Street, and Gunderson Avenue for a school, and LaVergne School — a two-room stone schoolhouse — became Berwyn’s first public school. It was considered “the prototype of all west suburban schools.” In 1914, an addition was built, which today serves as South Berwyn School District 100’s administrative headquarters.

Still, the route remained precarious. All four corners of Ogden and Ridgeland had deep ditches on each side, earning it the nickname “four bridge corners.”

“When the LaVergne school was opened there was one mother who tied her five children together with a clothesline when they went to school so that if one of them fell in a ditch the others could pull it out,” according to a 1933 article from The Berwyn News. Another newspaper article recalled how former LaVergne students would “hunt for crawdads in puddles” when the area flooded.

In 1900, some portions of Ogden were covered in brick to make for smoother travel as traffic picked up. Over the next 20 years, the area saw significant development and a boom in new residents. By 1919, homes dotted the residential streets around Ogden, which was home to a growing number of stores.

In 1920, Ogden was paved to accommodate the burgeoning auto age, and in 1926 the roadway was designated as U.S. Route 66, which connected Chicago to Los Angeles. Starting in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the road began seeing the addition of fast-food and drive-through restaurants to accommodate drivers who wanted a quick, hot meal. Eventually, this culture grew to also include service stations and car dealerships. At one point, Ogden Avenue in Berwyn had a dozen auto dealerships.

“Ogden Avenue was designed for automobiles when the car was king of American culture,” according to the Route 66 Association of Illinois. “A wide street lined with drive-through businesses and convenient parking served both travelers and residents.”

It remained Rt. 66 until 1976 when it was replaced by Interstate 55. Still, the Ogden Avenue of today preserves and celebrates its auto history with the annual Berwyn Rt. 66 Car Show, plus a plethora of auto dealers, repair shops, and specialty services — as well as quick-service food options and unique attractions that Rt. 66 is famous for.

Check out the Route 66 Marker “A Road Well Traveled” at 34th Street and Ogden Avenue and the Rt. 66 marker at the Exon station at Lombard and Ogden avenues to see some history up close!

One of the hallmarks of towns located along the original Rt. 66 is a distinct kitschy character that was meant to help attract drives to local businesses. These included enormous statues, neon signs, and murals in bright lights and vibrant colors. While many of these have been removed over the years, efforts have been made along Ogden Avenue to restore the route’s signature charm with new art projects and installations.

In 2022, the Berwyn Development Corporation received a grant in celebration of Rt. 66’s 100th anniversary which funded a mini-car spindle at Paisan’s Pizzeria and Bar, 6226 W. Ogden Ave. — a smaller-scale recreation of Berwyn’s famous “Spindle” car statue by artist Dustin Shuler. The iconic sculpture, which was featured in “Wayne’s World,” was demolished at its home at Cermak Plaza in 2008, but its memory lives on in a new iteration along Ogden Avenue. 

The same grant also funded a massive Muffler Man statue and public mural at Cigars & Stripes BBQ Lounge, 6715 W. Ogden Ave. The mural depicts a classic “Rt. 66” sign alongside a mash-up of colorful aliens, monsters, and chicken wings, while a giant Muffler Man-style statue with hot sauce in one hand and a chicken wing in another watches over the highway from the roof. 

Ogden’s rich history as part of the original Rt. 66 is not just in the past — it’s legacy as an auto-focused road is part of its present and future.

It’s impossible to drive around town without noticing license plates from Berwyn Kia or Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, both dealers who have earned a positive reputation from the community for customer service and variety of vehicles. Sadeq Auto Sale and Quality Craft Auto Sales, “the finest in used cars since 1976,” are another two local options for vehicle purchases that have earned praise from buyers.

Well-known shops like AutoZone Auto Parts, Midas, Safelite AutoGlass, and Target Auto Parts offer a convenient place for replacement parts, while Buddy Bear Car Wash keeps your ride sparkling and Enterprise Rent-A-Car is there for when you need a backup.

One of the longest-running car businesses on the strip is Ogden Top & Trim Shop at 6609 Ogden Ave., which has been creating award-winning interiors since 1919. Its iconic storefront has been owned by the same family for over 100 years, with a nuance for street rods, sports cars, muscle cars, motorcycles, British cars, antique cars, and more. 

For repairs, tune-ups, and customizations, Ron’s R & B Auto Body & Kustoms has served Berwyn for over 30 years, Weimer Machin has serviced vehicles since 2000, and Mike & Sons Auto Service has been a go-to for fair prices since 1986 — while Caliber Collision and Crash Champions Collision Repair Berwyn are there for you after an accident.

One of the city’s best events is the Berwyn Rt. 66 Car Show, which draws tens of thousands of attendees each year for a day filled with over 500 custom and antique cars and motorcycles, Rt. 66 history, live entertainment, and food. The festival began in 1991 as Bewryn Motorfest at the Pavek Recreation Center but moved to Ogden Avenue the following year to coincide with the Route 66 Association of Illinois’ annual motorcade to St. Louis, as well as the Rediscovering Route 66 in Berwyn celebration.

The event was a hit and has remained on Ogden Avenue since. Today, the August festival is one of the biggest celebrations of Rt. 66 in the state and continues to be an adored local tradition.

Whether you’re seeking drive-through, quick counter service, or a sit-down dining experience, Ogden Avenue lives up to its history as a food-filled route. In addition to well-known chains like White Castle, Starbucks, Popeyes, McDonald’s, Mr. Submarine, Taco Bell, Dunkin’, Slice Factory, and Subway, the road has also become known for its diverse slate of options ranging from Italian to Latin to classic American cuisine.

For over 20 years, Berwynnites have been enjoying the deep dish at Nonno’s Pizza, 6969 Ogden Ave., while Michael Anthony’s pizza at 6434 Ogden Ave. has been a favorite for family celebrations for over three decades and Novi’s Beef at 6746 Ogden Ave. has been providing the community with juicy, flavorful Italian beef since its humble beginnings as a shack in 1960. In 2011, Paisans Pizzeria joined the strip at 6226 Ogden Ave. and is now a go-to place for pizza, pasta, salads, and sandwiches.

For delicious tacos, drinks, and live entertainment, Viva La Frida at 7117 Ogden Ave. is the place to be, perfectly grilled meats prepared “really good really fast” are on the menu at Parilla Express, 6401 34th Street, and Tamales Ogden Champurrado at 6333 Ogden Ave. is known for its green tamales. After your meal, treat your sweet tooth with fresh ice cream, fruits, and paletas at Neveria Naranja Dulce, 6252 Ogden Ave., and Las Delicias De Michoacan, 6807 Ogden Ave.

Cigars & Stripes BBQ Lounge at 6715 Ogden Ave. is a quintessential Rt. 66 eatery with a “rock and roll” flare, mouthwatering chicken wings, and lots of character. For Micheladas and mimosas mhead over to Junior’s Bar & Grill, or stop by Berwyn Food & Liquor or Route 66 Beverage for great selections on pre-packaged wine, beer, and spirits. In the mood for coffee (with a side of film and local history)? Stop by for a latte or cup of Joe at Avito Caffe at 6510 Ogden Ave. and step back into Old Chicago and Old Hollywood at the same time in this unique neighborhood coffee stop.

While you’re cruising Ogden Avenue, make sure to stop and check out some of the street’s unique shops, like Top Cut Comics at 7122 Ogden Ave. Suite B, and Berwyn’s Toy & Trains at 7025 Ogden Ave.

Since 1998, Berwyn’s Toys & Trains has delighted shoppers and train enthusiasts with hobbyist supplies, stuffed animals, model kits, puzzles, figurines, and games galore. Its location hearkens back to Ogden’s heyday as Rt. 66 — the building was a Chevy dealership from 1950 until 1998. To preserve the building’s history, the new owners decided to keep its original layout. Coupled with its iconic neon sign and retro charm, this is a must-stop when in Berwyn.

Across the street you’ll also find Top Cut Comics, which has been serving Chicago’s collar communities and western suburbs since 2016. The local shop specializes in everything from board games to trading cards, action figures, and, of course, comics! You’ll know you’re at Top Cut Comics when you see its signature “Hulk” mural on the outside.

Plus, convenient shops like Walgreen’s, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General are all found along the strip, making it easy to access everyday essentials, prescriptions, and home goods.

Other mainstay businesses found along Ogden Avenue include Y.A.Z Flowers & Balloons, 6923 Ogden Ave., which has been providing stunning floral and balloon arrangements for the community since 2011, as well as photography services, party supplies, and formal dresses. JC Licht Ace Berwyn, 6316-18 Ogden Ave., has been the strip’s friendly neighborhood hardware store since the 1920s when it was Tom Jansky Hardware.

At 7005 Ogden Ave., Superior Awards & Promotions offers personalized bags, mugs, apparel, awards, and more. In 1941, the shop was an establishment known as “The Zims’” — a “new fun headquarters” where Berwyn’s “old-timers” could gather for “expertly mixed” drinks in a “friendly atmosphere.” Later, it was a boat and motor repair shop, King’s Red Hots restaurant, and Stardust Motors used car lot. By 1983 it had evolved into Benedeck & Fey, an awards and engravable gifts shop, and today continues to be a family-owned and operated business providing custom engraving and branded promotional products.