Illinois Route 66 concert tour organized by Frankie Valli’s longtime music director

Robby Robinson, a keyboardist and music director for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons since 1978 and a native of the Route 66 town of Litchfield, Illinois, has organized the "Get Your Kicks Tour '23 -- A Musical Trip Down Route 66" in October. The tour includes guitarist Vinny Martell of Vanilla Fudge, Travis Cloer … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 concert tour organized by Frankie Valli’s longtime music director

A closer look at the repurposed West End Service Station in Edwardsville

A few weeks ago, the West End Service Station along Route 66 in Edwardsville, Illinois, reopened as a museum and interpretive center. The Adventures in TV-Land channel on YouTube paid a visit to the landmark, plus a few other Route 66-related sites in Edwardsville. https://youtu.be/QV4NlD6ySJU The former gas station at 620 West St. (aka Route … Continue reading A closer look at the repurposed West End Service Station in Edwardsville

West End Service Station in Edwardsville reopens as a museum and interpretive center

The West End Service Station in Edwardsville, Illinois, reopened Friday as a Route 66-themed museum and interpretive center. The former gas station at 620 West St. (aka Route 66) hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting that day. It received a $460,000 state grant a year ago to rehabilitate the site. It will be open for visitors … Continue reading West End Service Station in Edwardsville reopens as a museum and interpretive center

Route 66 Interpretive Center in Edwardsville sets grand opening for June 9

The forthcoming Route 66 Interpretive Center, housed in a former gas station in Edwardsville, Illinois, will hold its grand opening on June 9. According to the Edwardsville Intelligencer, the center will be open from Friday through Sunday after it opens. The building is the former West End Service Station at the corner of West and … Continue reading Route 66 Interpretive Center in Edwardsville sets grand opening for June 9

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

Route 66 Interpretive Center in Edwardsville likely will be open by summer

The new Route 66 Interpretive Center, located in a former gas station in Edwardsville, Illinois, will be open to the public by late spring or summer once remodeling for the project is finished. The building at St. Louis and West streets (aka Route 66) also once served as a dental office. Last summer, Great Rivers … Continue reading Route 66 Interpretive Center in Edwardsville likely will be open by summer

New murals help brighten Route 66 corridors in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Yukon

New murals that recently were painted in Collinsville and Edwardsville, Illinois, and Yukon, Oklahoma, are brightening the drive on Route 66 in those towns. The one that was finished this week in Edwardsville is part of the Route 66 Mural Art Trail, where 12 murals are planned along Route 66 in Illinois. The Edwardsville mural … Continue reading New murals help brighten Route 66 corridors in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Yukon

Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

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

Illinois tourism bureau applies for grant for Route 66 visitor center, reopening Cannonball Jail

A tourism bureau in southwest Illinois has applied for a state grant that would create a new Route 66 visitor center and reopen the Cannonball Jail in Carlinville, among other projects. According to Riverbender.com, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois applied for the grant under the state's Route 66 Grant Program administered … Continue reading Illinois tourism bureau applies for grant for Route 66 visitor center, reopening Cannonball Jail

Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6

The Route 66 town of Edwardsville, Illinois, and the surrounding area continue to be in shock and sorrow after a powerful tornado Friday caused the collapse of an Amazon distribution center, killing at least six workers. According to reporting by the Edwardsville Intelligencer and St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspapers, the roof and 11-inch-thick concrete walls collapsed … Continue reading Route 66 town of Edwardsville in mourning after tornado kills 6