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
Tag: East St. Louis
A closer look at the closed MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis
It's hard to believe, but the MacArthur Bridge that once connected Route 66 from East St. Louis to St. Louis has been closed to vehicular traffic for more than 40 years but still is standing. KHMO radio recently flagged this video by urban explorer Tattoo Tony Alton where he and a pal explored the bridge, … Continue reading A closer look at the closed MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis
Green Book sites make the list of Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Businesses that were listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book from 1936 to 1967, including several on or near Route 66, made Landmarks Illinois' annual Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. This year, Landmarks Illinois listed nine sites it considered as endangered. "The purpose of the list is to focus attention on sites threatened by … Continue reading Green Book sites make the list of Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Spivey Building in East St. Louis may be doomed
Residents are running out of patience with the historic but long-abandoned Spivey Building of East St. Louis -- the tallest skyscraper in the metro-east -- and it seems demolition will come sooner than later. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch filed a report last week about failed attempts to rehabilitate the 12-story skyscraper and how bricks and … Continue reading Spivey Building in East St. Louis may be doomed
Getting inside the Majestic Theatre of East St. Louis
Chris and Katie Robleski of Fading Nostalgia recently used their night photography talents to shoot the inside of the Majestic Theatre in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Robleskis wrote a blog about gaining access to the theater's seldom-seen interior. Their 26-minute podcast goes not only into the decaying but beautiful Majestic Theatre and the troubled history … Continue reading Getting inside the Majestic Theatre of East St. Louis
King bridge in St. Louis closes Monday for months
The Martin Luther King Bridge that connects East St. Louis, Illinois, to St. Louis is expected to close starting Monday for months because of repairs, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The bridge, built as a toll bridge in 1951, needs to have its decks rebuilt. The King Bridge, also known as the Veterans Bridge, served … Continue reading King bridge in St. Louis closes Monday for months
Murphy Building in East St. Louis being torn down
The historic but long-closed Murphy Building in downtown East St. Louis, Illinois, will be completely demolished within a month, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. As recently as a year ago, local preservationists were optimistic something could be done with the structure at 234 Collinsville Ave., less than a block off the 1940s-50s alignment of Route … Continue reading Murphy Building in East St. Louis being torn down
Railroad confirms it’s removing deck from MacArthur Bridge
This was reported 10 months ago, but the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis confirmed through a KPLR-TV report this week it is removing the automobile deck from the historic MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis. The railroad told the TV station the deck was a risk to rail traffic. “Trespassers, ya know, you don’t want … Continue reading Railroad confirms it’s removing deck from MacArthur Bridge
Part of downtown East St. Louis added to National Register
The Downtown East St. Louis Historic District in East St. Louis, Illinois, was added to the National Register of Historic Places effective Sept. 17, according to an email a few days ago from the National Park Service. The district comprises of two blocks of Collinsville Avenue, a block and a half of Missouri Avenue and the south … Continue reading Part of downtown East St. Louis added to National Register
East St. Louis courthouse added to National Register
The Melvin Price Federal Building and U.S. courthouse in East St. Louis, Illinois, was added to the National Register of Historic Places effective Aug. 8, according to an email this week from the National Park Service. The courthouse, which also was a post office, is at 750 Missouri Ave (map here). Missouri Avenue served as Route 66 in … Continue reading East St. Louis courthouse added to National Register