A few months ago, Pontiac Tourism director Ellie Alexander reported that tourism in Pontiac, Ill., was trending at a 30 percent higher level than in 2010. Note I said "trending." I was skeptical the numbers would remain at that lofty level, especially when the off-season was looming. It turns out Alexander was either being modest … Continue reading Pontiac tourism rises 40 percent in 2011
Category: Museums
Woody Guthrie Archives will move to Tulsa
The Woody Guthrie Archives, based in New York, will move to his home state of Oklahoma and the Route 66 city of Tulsa by 2013, according a story late Tuesday by the New York Times. The Tulsa-based George Kaiser Family Foundation bought the musician's archives from the Guthrie family for about $3 million and will … Continue reading Woody Guthrie Archives will move to Tulsa
Clinton Route 66 museum will close for renovations
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton is set to close from January to at least mid-April for renovations, according to the museum's website. Pat Smith, the museum's director, said in a message on the website's home page that the museum will close its exhibits for renovations beginning Jan. 1, with the hope to reopen … Continue reading Clinton Route 66 museum will close for renovations
Dec. 30 will be declared Bill Shea Day in Springfield
Bill Shea, longtime proprietor of a gas station museum along Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., turns 90 years old on Dec. 30, and is also marking his 66th year as a business owner on the Mother Road. To mark the occasion, the City of Springfield is declaring Dec. 30 as Bill Shea Day, according to … Continue reading Dec. 30 will be declared Bill Shea Day in Springfield
Santa Rosa applying for byways grant for Route 66 museum
Santa Rosa, N.M., is applying for a grant from the National Scenic Byways Program so it can renovate the historic Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse near downtown and eventually house what would be the state's only Route 66 museum. On Dec. 15, Santa Rosa tourism director Richard Delgado announced the intent during a mass email to about 30 Route … Continue reading Santa Rosa applying for byways grant for Route 66 museum
Springfield continues to negotiate for Bel-Aire Motel
The City of Springfield, Ill., is continuing negotiations with the owners of the historic Bel-Aire Motel, with the hope to eventually convert it into a Route 66 museum and visitors center or some other use, reported the State Journal-Register. The owners are Gopal and Nimal Motwani, based in Florida. The motel, on the Sixth Street alignment … Continue reading Springfield continues to negotiate for Bel-Aire Motel
Pontiac’s impressive tourism surge
Today's story in the Pontiac Daily Leader gave many details about a tourism summit Monday in the Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., and how local officials and businesses will handle travelers in the future. It'd been previously reported that Pontiac was seeing a 30 percent increase in tourists in 2011. But City Administrator Bob … Continue reading Pontiac’s impressive tourism surge
History Channel may include Route 66 on program
A film crew from the History Channel filmed segments Friday along Route 66 in Southern California that may be included in a program titled "101 Objects That Changed the World," reported 66-to-Cali owner Dan Rice in Santa Monica. The crew spent time shooting near the "End of the Trail" Route 66 sign on the Santa … Continue reading History Channel may include Route 66 on program
More about the Litchfield museum
In recent weeks, several media reports have emerged about a Route 66 and area history museum planned in Litchfield, Ill. This one from the State Journal-Register in Springfield contained a lot of information. However, the reports left a few things out, including an artist's rendering of the proposed building. Thanks to Litchfield Tourism director Carol … Continue reading More about the Litchfield museum
A good problem to have
City Hall in Pontiac, Ill., is hosting a meeting Monday at 7 p.m. to discuss tourists -- not necessarily to just draw them, but to better handle the influx of them the city has experienced in the past year. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports: Pontiac Tourism Director Ellie Alexander said the number of visitors is up … Continue reading A good problem to have