An updated list of speakers recently was announced by organizers of the seventh annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference set for Oct. 20-23 at the Pontiac Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center in Pontiac, Illinois. This year's theme for the conference is "America's Main Street Welcomes the World." (Disclosure: The Route 66 Miles of … Continue reading Updated list of speakers announced for Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference
Tag: Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum
‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Jim Conkle is scheduling a so-called "archaeological dig" at a barn in Rochester, Illinois, to find artifacts that belonged to late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. The barn belongs to Buz Waldmire, Bob's brother. Bob also spent time there off and on during his lifetime, and he died there in 2009 … Continue reading ‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire
New art space at the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, will feature the works of late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire when it opens March 14. According to a news release from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the art space will feature Route 66 artwork on a rotating basis. The news release … Continue reading New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire
Grandchildren of Dixie Truckers Home founders pay a visit
Two grandchildren of the couple that founded the Dixie Truckers Home in McLean, Illinois, recently paid a visit to the site for the first time in years. Steve Jordan and Cathy Greeneberg, descendants of the Route 66 truck stop's original owners John and Viola Geske, sat down with a crew from WMBD-TV at what now … Continue reading Grandchildren of Dixie Truckers Home founders pay a visit
Illinois governor hits several Route 66 sites during motorcycle tour
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner led a parade Sunday of hundreds of motorcycles to four Route 66 sites to celebrate the state's bicentennial. According to the Herald-News in Joliet, Rauner and 300 to 500 other riders made stops at the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, … Continue reading Illinois governor hits several Route 66 sites during motorcycle tour
Extreme cold closes Illinois Route 66 Museum in Pontiac until Jan. 8
Extremely cold weather and a broken heating unit prompted local officials Friday to close the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac until at least Monday, Jan. 8. Ellie Alexander, director of tourism for the city, wrote in an email Friday the heating unit lacks essential parts that won't be available until … Continue reading Extreme cold closes Illinois Route 66 Museum in Pontiac until Jan. 8
Is Route 66 immune from the international travel slump?
Fewer international travelers came to the United States during the first quarter of 2017. But two Route 66 landmarks that keep visitor records reported stable or higher numbers for the year to date over the previous year. U.S. Department of Commerce data show a decrease of 4.2 percent of international visitors during the first three … Continue reading Is Route 66 immune from the international travel slump?
Jim Jones honored by Illinois Route 66 Association
Jim Jones, a longtime volunteer at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum with a longtime personal history with Route 66 in Odell, Illinois, recently was honored with the President's Award by the Illinois Route 66 Association. According to this news release from Ellie Alexander, director of tourism in Pontiac, Illinois: In making the … Continue reading Jim Jones honored by Illinois Route 66 Association
A look inside Bob Waldmire’s bus
Roamin' Rich Dinkela posted this video about the late Bob Waldmire's school bus that Waldmire converted into living quarters years ago. After Waldmire's death from cancer in 2009, the bus was parked at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac to be permanently displayed. Museum curator John Wille gives the lowdown … Continue reading A look inside Bob Waldmire’s bus
Pontiac shield featured on cover of National Geographic Route 66 calendar
The giant Route 66 shield mural featured on the back of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois, is the cover image of the 2016 Route 66 wall calendar published by National Geographic. The cover image is seen above. The inside of the calendar features images from the Blue Swallow … Continue reading Pontiac shield featured on cover of National Geographic Route 66 calendar