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

Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield

Re-creations or restorations of neon signs for long-defunct Route 66 businesses glowed anew on Wednesday night during a lighting ceremony at the Legends Neon Park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The neon park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience contains the signs of the A. Lincoln Motel, the Coliseum Ballroom, Chain … Continue reading Switch thrown at Legends Neon Park at Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield

Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum

The City of Springfield, Illinois, recently accepted a $623,000 state grant to reopen Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum along Route 66. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau director Scott Dahl wants to make the closed station on Peoria Road (aka Route 66) an "Instagram-able stop," especially for international travelers. Dahl elaborated on … Continue reading Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum

New sign for Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield is a throwback to its earlier days

On Friday, Ace Sign Co. installed a new sign at the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, that is a throwback to the Route 66 landmark's earlier days. The restaurant posted this photo of the sign, stating it wasn't yet completely functional but should be next week: About a week before the installation, Ace Sign … Continue reading New sign for Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield is a throwback to its earlier days

Company posts another preview of A. Lincoln Motel neon sign re-creation

Ace Sign Co. of Springfield, Illinois, posted another sneak peek of a re-created sign from the long-gone A. Lincoln Motel that stood on Route 66 in the city. The sign soon will be installed at the Route 66 Experience's Legacy Neon Park at the Illinois State Fair. Ace sign provided another preview last month of … Continue reading Company posts another preview of A. Lincoln Motel neon sign re-creation

Route 66 MotorHeads erects its ‘world’s largest Route 66 emblem’

Route 66 MotorHeads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, on Friday erected its "world's largest Route 66 emblem." According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, the sign measures 32 by 32 feet. It was attached to 60-foot-tall poles that once carried a Stuckey's sign. Route 66 MotorHeads is housed in a former Stuckey's. The sign … Continue reading Route 66 MotorHeads erects its ‘world’s largest Route 66 emblem’

Route 66 MotorHeads will dedicate ‘world’s largest Route 66 sign’ on Friday

The Route 66 MotorHeads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, will celebrate the installation of the "world's largest Route 66 sign" on Friday evening. The big event will take place at 6 p.m. Friday when the massive sign is mounted on two 60-foot-tall poles that once held a Stuckey's sign in front of the … Continue reading Route 66 MotorHeads will dedicate ‘world’s largest Route 66 sign’ on Friday

Sonrise Donuts signs in Springfield come down, will be restored

The historic Sonrise Donuts signs that sat atop a building along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, for 70 years were removed from their perch Monday. But don't worry. The neon signs won't be going to the metal-shredding facility. The city of Springfield, which purchased the signs for $22,000 during an online auction in December, eventually … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts signs in Springfield come down, will be restored

Art’s Motel sign in Farmersville taken down

The neon sign for the apparently closed Art's Motel in Farmersville, Illinois, recently was dismantled but preserved by a sign company and a historic-themed bar, both in nearby Springfield. For now, Art's Motel & Restaurant faces an uncertain future. The listed phone numbers for the motel were disconnected. A Yelp listing for the motel states … Continue reading Art’s Motel sign in Farmersville taken down

The home of the Bel-Aire Motel Sputnik

I missed this when it happened last summer, but Ace Sign Co. of Springfield, Illinois, restored the Sputnik sign that stood atop the Bel-Aire Motel and displays it in its museum. The Bel-Aire, a longtime Route 66 motel, was torn down last year after hundreds of code violations. According to a story on the Illinois Route 66 … Continue reading The home of the Bel-Aire Motel Sputnik