The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations of people, attractions, businesses, and events for its Class of 2012, according to a recent news release. The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame, based in Pontiac, will be accepting applications for the honors between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28. The release says: To … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame seeks 2012 nominations
Category: Museums
Site approved for Route 66 museum in Litchfield
Organizers for a Route 66 museum in Litchfield, Ill., have approved a site and building design, and plan on starting construction in the spring, reports The Journal-News in nearby Hillsboro. According to the newspaper: The 4,600 square foot building will be located on historic Route 66 across from Jubelts and the Ariston. The museum will … Continue reading Site approved for Route 66 museum in Litchfield
Pontiac tourism rises 30 percent in one year
The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., is seeing a 30 percent increase in tourists over a year ago, according to a report in the Bloomington Pantagraph. Tourism director Ellie Alexander keeps a regular tally of visitor numbers. So the boost in tourism isn't anecdotal. An increase in the number of tour groups is mostly … Continue reading Pontiac tourism rises 30 percent in one year
Two Route 66 projects will begin construction by 2013
The Route 66 Experience museum near downtown Tulsa and a new Route 66 gateway in west Tulsa should begin construction by 2013, according to a report in the print edition of the Tulsa County News. Quoting city planner Dennis Whitaker, the report says: There are firm plans in place for the Route 66 Experience "and … Continue reading Two Route 66 projects will begin construction by 2013
First Pontiac race car will be displayed at Pontiac museum
The Pontiac-Oakland Museum & Resource Center, open only for a few months in Pontiac, Ill., soon will have the first-ever Pontiac race car on display at the museum. According to a news release today from Pontiac Tourism: The car is the earliest known Pontiac race car, successfully competing for the first time in August 1926, Pontiac's introduction … Continue reading First Pontiac race car will be displayed at Pontiac museum
Route 66 makes a financial impact on Illinois towns
The Chicago Tribune tonight has posted a remarkable article about how Route 66 has financially impacted the towns along it. (The story's print edition will be on newsstands Saturday.) The report contains eye-popping data: While many small towns across the country are struggling to keep their downtowns afloat, Pontiac and a string of other Illinois … Continue reading Route 66 makes a financial impact on Illinois towns
Short, but sweet
A little news item in the Desert Dispatch of Barstow, Calif., caught my eye: Council approves a 20-year-lease for Route 66 Museum -- The City Council voted unanimously to extend the lease for the Route 66 Museum in the Harvey House for 20 more years. The museum will pay $1 annually for the space. I didn't … Continue reading Short, but sweet
Man plans Route 66 bicycle ride for Litchfield museum
The city manager of Litchfield, Ill., plans a bicycle ride down Route 66 in spring 2012 to raise money for a Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. Andy Ritchie will use a recumbent bicycle, and will attempt to take on all 2,400 miles of the Mother Road, if … Continue reading Man plans Route 66 bicycle ride for Litchfield museum
City Museum founder dies in industrial accident
Bob Cassilly, founder of the popular City Museum in St. Louis, died in an apparent construction accident Monday on the north side of town, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The newspaper reported that Cassilly died while operating a bulldozer at the construction site of his Cementland amusement park, formerly the Missouri Portland Cement Co., in north … Continue reading City Museum founder dies in industrial accident
Bill Shea named grand marshal for Route 66 festival parade
I don't know whether this has been reported, but the prominent owner of a gas station museum has been named grand marshal of the cruise at the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield, Ill., this weekend. The Springfield State Journal-Register reports today: Bill Shea, owner of Shea’s Gas Station Museum, 2075 Peoria Road, will be … Continue reading Bill Shea named grand marshal for Route 66 festival parade