It isn’t just Pontiac, Ill., seeing a big increase in Route 66 tourism in recent years. According to an article today in the Springfield State Journal-Register, the small town of Atlanta, Ill., is experiencing a surge, too.
From the newspaper:
In Atlanta, sales tax revenue jumped 43 percent last year during the peak tourism season of April to August compared to four years ago, before the opening of the Atlanta Museum and the reopening of the 1930s-era Palms Grill Cafe. Both buildings in the 100 block of S.W. Arch St. are owned by the Atlanta Public Library.
The two endeavors were Atlanta’s first efforts to generate revenue from the steady trickle of Route 66 travelers who drive through the town every summer. […]
The increase in foot traffic led to the opening of two new businesses: the Route 66 Gift Shop, which sells memorabilia and vintage items, and the Arch Street Artisan Shop.
And Atlanta isn’t done in trying to attract tourism dollars:
This spring, Atlanta will begin preparing a walking trail and signage around a quarter-mile of the original Route 66 pavement north of town. Officials also plan to open a coal-mining exhibit next to the grain elevator museum.
The community also has purchased an 1891 residence that served as a rooming house for Route 66 travelers in the 1940s, before motels were readily available. The city plans to offer the same service to modern travelers, although the Atlanta Route 66 Rooming House isn’t expected to open until 2013.
Between Pontiac and Atlanta, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that a concerted Route 66 tourism effort between locals and city government will pay dividends.
The newspaper article also examines several other Illinois Route 66 towns, whose tourism efforts range from tentative to feeble. Save for a bicycle rack, Virden doesn’t seem to be doing much. But nearby Girard boasts Doc’s Soda Fountain, which displays a map showing all of its foreign Route 66 visitors and hires an additional waitress during tourism season.
Bill Deck said area schools and local groups book tours throughout the year. But out-of-towners traveling the Mother Road make up 40 percent of summer traffic. […]
“There’s a growing awareness,” Ernst said. “The Europeans are looking for small communities to explore. We want to make them feel welcome to stop in Girard.”
It sounds like a cliche to say: “If you build it, they will come.” But when it comes to Route 66 travelers, that seems to be the case.
I just love stopping in Atlanta. Thus far, we’ve only been there on a Sunday,when things were closed. But I hope to get by there during the week this summer.
They had a big Santa hat on their Giant in Atlanta this past Christmas season, which was great. Had to take a photo of that.