As part of celebrating Route 66's centennial, Route 66 Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, will host a centennial cultural gathering on June 6 centered around the journey of endurance runner Tomasz Sobania. The day begins with the independently organized Route 66 Centennial 5K Footrace at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and continues at Motorheads with an invitation-only … Continue reading Route 66 Motorheads to host Centennial Cultural Program honoring journey of ultramarathoner
Tag: Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway
Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard put up for sale; restaurant will remain open in the interim
The owners of Doc's Just Off 66 restaurant in downtown Girard, Illinois, announced the restaurant is being put on the market. Co-owner Casey Claypool, who is also the executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, stated in a Facebook post that it was a "difficult" decision to put the restaurant for sale. We … Continue reading Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard put up for sale; restaurant will remain open in the interim
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway minting a 13-coin set commemorating Route 66’s centennial
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway recently announced the creation of a special, limited-edition, 13-coin collector set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. This set will highlight the most cherished and iconic stops along the Illinois portion of the Mother Road. The commemorative set will feature 12 coins, each showcasing a popular attraction or … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway minting a 13-coin set commemorating Route 66’s centennial
Meramec Caverns barns among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Meramec Caverns barns, a few of which still stand along Route 66, were included on Landmarks Illinois' annual list of its Most Endangered Historic Places. This is what the nonprofit organization said about Meramec Caverns barns: Meramec Caverns is a cave network and tourist attraction located on Route 66 near Stanton, Missouri. In 1933, amateur … Continue reading Meramec Caverns barns among Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway earlier this week announced a Route 66 centennial event in 2026 -- the first of many that will be scheduled that year. The byway's Statewide Conference and Centennial Celebration will take place on Nov. 11, 2026, at Route 66 Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, it announced in a news release. "This momentous event … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
Joel Baker, founder of the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, will be the keynote speaker during the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference at the historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois. The conference's theme, naturally, will be "Giants of Route 66." It will run from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. Baker is the nation’s … Continue reading Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard
The Great Rivers & Routes tourism bureau recently began a "Main Street of America" video series. The first video, which dropped in the last few days, features Doc's Just Off 66 soda fountain and restaurant in downtown Girard, Illinois. The video's hosts, Kevin and Emily, are understandably agog at the historic memorabilia on display at … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes video features Doc’s Just off 66 in Girard
Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
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
Red Carpet Corridor festival adds second day, Bloomington-Normal to its itinerary
This year's edition of the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival is going to be a two-day affair, with Bloomington-Normal added to its list of towns to visit. The May 6-7 event, which starts in Joliet, lengthens to 100 miles and 14 communities, according to a news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic … Continue reading Red Carpet Corridor festival adds second day, Bloomington-Normal to its itinerary