American Giants Museum announces hours, will hold grand opening Memorial Day weekend

The American Giants Museum in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, recently announced its regular hours, with a grand opening set for Memorial Day weekend in late May. This month, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Starting April 2, the hours will be: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through … Continue reading American Giants Museum announces hours, will hold grand opening Memorial Day weekend

Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer

The owner of Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, is commissioning a new, nearly 20-foot-tall Muffler Man called "Big A the Texaco Man" that he hopes will be standing at his business by summer 2024. "Big A" is being made by Enchanted Castle Studios, which has made other Muffler Men or fiberglass giants around the country … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer

‘CBS Sunday Morning’ takes a closer look at history of Muffler Men, new museum

The long-running "CBS Sunday Morning" program recently produced a 4-minute segment about the history of Muffler Men, including those on Route 66, and Joel Baker, who has dedicated years to documenting and preserving them. It also talks about the American Giants Museum that recently opened along old Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois. https://youtu.be/dj_s9C8LBDY?si=60WHPFUd8CC9Ca2A The American … Continue reading ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ takes a closer look at history of Muffler Men, new museum

Report gives more details about the forthcoming American Giants Museum

A recent report in a regional newspaper gave more details about the American Giants Museum that will open next month along Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Illinois. The story of so-called Muffler Men, or fiberglass giants built primarily in the 1960s, will be housed in a former Texaco gas station at 100 SW Arch St. … Continue reading Report gives more details about the forthcoming American Giants Museum

American Giants Museum to hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend

The American Giants Museum along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, will hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend. Those details and others came in a news release Tuesday from the nonprofit Atlanta Betterment Fund, which is helping shepherd the project with museum creator Joel Baker, who for years has been a preservation advocate and … Continue reading American Giants Museum to hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend

Several Illinois Route 66 sites get state funds from tourism, transportation programs

Several spots on Route 66 in Illinois were among the 89 that will receive a total of $22.5 million from the state's Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program. Also, several Route 66 sites also received funds from the state's Transportation Enhancement Program. Here are the Route 66-related tourism recipients and the total grant: $25,187 to … Continue reading Several Illinois Route 66 sites get state funds from tourism, transportation programs

American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois

Joel Baker, a Muffler Man aficionado who has created a website and documentary shorts about his obsession, announced this week he is planning an American Giants Museum site along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, The museum will be almost directly across the street from the Bunyan Giant Muffler Man in downtown that once stood along … Continue reading American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week announced the latest round of the Byway Project Funds program to provide financial assistance to byway members. Byway Project Funds are meant to support events, marketing and advertising efforts, and projects that help preserve the heritage of Illinois Route 66 and promote travel to Illinois Route 66 … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants

J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta remains an attraction 40 years after it closed

If you've never received a tour inside the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, a recent article by an area newspaper will give you the next best thing. The Bloomington Pantagraph posted a bunch of photographs and a video of the historic landmark just off Route 66 as part of its "Off Limits" … Continue reading J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta remains an attraction 40 years after it closed

Missy’s Sweet Shoppe soon will open in Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta

The historic Palms Grill Cafe in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, soon will have a new tenant -- the Missy's Sweet Shoppe bakery. Missy Gaither is leasing the property from the owner, the Atlanta Public Library. She said in a phone interview she would open there in early June. "I was looking for a storefront, and it … Continue reading Missy’s Sweet Shoppe soon will open in Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta