{{Short description|Historic route in Illinois, USA}} {{Infobox road |country=USA |header_type=hist |marker_image=70px |name=Stagecoach Trail |map= |length_mi=40 |length_ref= |established=1837 |decommissioned= |direction_a=East |terminus_a=Lena, Illinois |direction_b=West |terminus_b=Galena, Illinois |junction= |system='''Scenic route''' }}
[[Image:Gidonb Horsefarm on Stagecoach Trail in Apple River Township.jpg|350px|thumb|Horsefarm with stagecoach rental on the Stagecoach Trail (the road in the front) in Apple River Township, somewhat west of the village of Apple River (January, 2008)]] '''Stagecoach Trail''' is a historic route through northern Jo Daviess County and western Stephenson County, in the northwest of Illinois. The trail was a part of the larger Galena–Chicago trail that crossed almost the entire state.
Stagecoach Trail connects Galena and Lena through the communities of Scales Mound, Apple River, Warren and Nora.<ref name=Selbert>{{cite news|last=Selbert|first=Pamela|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/destinations/midwest/chi-9912050407-tr-dec05,0,4243768.story?page=1|title=Coach travel|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=December 5, 1999|accessdate=January 7, 2018}}</ref> Stagecoach Trail runs through the third highest point in Illinois, Waddams Hill. It also runs close to the highest point in Illinois, Charles Mound, and the Illinois-Wisconsin border.<ref name=Selbert/><ref name=Galena/>
The route can be used as an alternative for U.S. Route 20 between Lena and Galena, through picturesque communities and landscapes.<ref name=Galena>{{cite book|title=Scenic Drives|quote=This two lane road winds its way through the curves and rolling hills of this unglaciated area. Scenic farms dot the landscape and the route cruises near the highest point in Illinois.|url=http://www.visitgalena.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/149270.44.pdf|page=62|work=Galena/Jo Daviess County Visitors Guide|publisher=Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau|accessdate=January 7, 2018}}</ref> Stagecoach rides are offered at several points along the trail. Late 20th century, the communities on the Stagecoach Trail, from Lena through Scales Mound, held an annual Stagecoach Trail Festival in June.<ref>{{cite book|title=Drive the Stagecoach Trail|work=Illinois Weekend Adventure Guide|publisher=Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs|year=2000|pages=54–55?|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IEBMAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=January 7, 2018}}</ref>
Section and road numbers are: * County Road 6 in Stephenson County, Illinois, between the U.S. Route 20 and the County Divide Road. * County Road 13 in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, between the County Divide Road and Central Warren. * Illinois Route 78 in Central Warren * County Road 3 in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, between Warren and Galena.
==See also== * Old Stagecoach Trail in California
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.myscenicdrives.com/drives/illinois/stagecoach-trail Stagecoach Trail] on My Scenic Drives
Category:Historic trails and roads in Illinois Category:Transportation in Jo Daviess County, Illinois Category:Transportation in Stephenson County, Illinois
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