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

Illinois gives $450,000 in grants for Springfield’s Route 66 corridor

The Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission last week landed two state grants totaling $450,000 to redevelop the Peoria Road/Ninth Street corridor and a plan to promote Route 66 in the county. The State Journal-Register in Springfield reported: For Sangamon County, this translates into $250,000 for a study of the Peoria Road/Ninth Street Corridor between Cook … Continue reading Illinois gives $450,000 in grants for Springfield’s Route 66 corridor

Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66

Business, county and city officials are seeking a better plan to market Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, after acknowledging other cities on the route "increased their game.” A lengthy story in the Springfield State Journal-Register states the city is trying to reposition itself to Route 66 travelers at the highway's centennial looms in 2026. According … Continue reading Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66

Governor signs Illinois Route 66 motorcycle plate bill

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill Saturday that allows motorcyclists to buy a special Illinois Route 66 license plate that benefits the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway fund. Rauner signed the bill at the historic Mahan service station at Fulgenzi's Pizza and Pasta on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. Fulgenzi's purchased and moved the … Continue reading Governor signs Illinois Route 66 motorcycle plate bill

Springfield may add TIF district to section of Route 66

Springfield, Illinois, may add a tax-increment financing district to declining Peoria Road, which is historic Route 66 in the town's north side. TIF districts are where taxes from rising property-tax values are used to pay a part of renovation costs or infrastructure improvements for businesses. Anecdotal evidence existed the Peoria Road district was in decline, but WRSP-TV had … Continue reading Springfield may add TIF district to section of Route 66

Mahan gas station moved to restaurant

The historic Mahan gas station that sat at the now-closed Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, was moved Sunday about a quarter-mile north to its new owner, Fulgenzi's Pizza and Pasta, reported the State Journal-Register. Owner Jeff Fulgenzi told the newspaper he plans to restore it as much as possible to its original state. It was placed … Continue reading Mahan gas station moved to restaurant