Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield

A Mexican restaurant called Lil Fiesta on Route 66 recently opened in the space that held Sonrise Donuts and its iconic sign for many years in Springfield, Illinois. Lil Fiesta on Route 66 opened Friday at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66) in a space that also held another Mexican restaurant, for a few … Continue reading Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield

Large mural goes up along Route 66 in Wayneville

The Route 66 corridor of Waynesville, Missouri, recently saw a new, large mural painted on one of its buildings. Missouri-based outdoor artist Ray Harvey finished a postcard-inspired and Route 66-centric mural on the new Dollar General building at 1413 U.S. Route 66. According to the Pulaski County Weekly, Dollar General and the city came to … Continue reading Large mural goes up along Route 66 in Wayneville

Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum

An artist is painting a mural inside the Galena Mining and History Museum in Galena, Kansas, and anticipates finishing it in about 10 days. According to KSNF-TV and museum director Linda Phipps, Sandra Pemberton's mural will depict Galena's railroad, mining and Route 66 history. Here's what Phipps said inspired the mural: “I was visiting my … Continue reading New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum

Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau honored for Route 66 mural trail

The Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism recently honored the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau with a Cooperative Partnership award for The Last 100 Miles of Route 66 Postcard Mural Trail. More about the honor from The Alton Telegraph newspaper: Working with 12 different Route 66 communities to create a vivid Route 66 … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau honored for Route 66 mural trail

New murals help brighten Route 66 corridors in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Yukon

New murals that recently were painted in Collinsville and Edwardsville, Illinois, and Yukon, Oklahoma, are brightening the drive on Route 66 in those towns. The one that was finished this week in Edwardsville is part of the Route 66 Mural Art Trail, where 12 murals are planned along Route 66 in Illinois. The Edwardsville mural … Continue reading New murals help brighten Route 66 corridors in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Yukon

Big Route 66 mural completed at Tulsa Welding School

A local artist recently completed a 722-square-foot, Route 66-themed mural on the side of the Tulsa Welding School along the East 11th Street alignment of Route 66. Sarah Thompson finished the mural earlier this month. It features Tulsa landmarks such as the Meadow Gold sign, Desert Hills Motel and the Oasis Motel. According to Yahoo! … Continue reading Big Route 66 mural completed at Tulsa Welding School

Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced $4 million in grants for various projects along Route 66, including a visitors center in a former Edwardsville gas station, reopening the old Cannonball Jail in Carlinville and a new Muffler Man on a restaurant in Berwyn. According to Riverbender.com and … Continue reading Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

Illinois tourism bureau applies for grant for Route 66 visitor center, reopening Cannonball Jail

A tourism bureau in southwest Illinois has applied for a state grant that would create a new Route 66 visitor center and reopen the Cannonball Jail in Carlinville, among other projects. According to Riverbender.com, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois applied for the grant under the state's Route 66 Grant Program administered … Continue reading Illinois tourism bureau applies for grant for Route 66 visitor center, reopening Cannonball Jail

An eye-catching new mural is finished on a big water tank in Sapulpa

A new mural on the side of a big water tank now will catch the eyes of Route 66 travelers on the west side of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. According to the Sapulpa Times (subscription only), the mural shows off the state's official wildflower, the Indian Blanket. The city recently finished tree-trimming around the site. Sapulpa city … Continue reading An eye-catching new mural is finished on a big water tank in Sapulpa