Doc’s Soda Fountain in Girard lands new owners

The 130-year-old Doc's Soda Fountain site in downtown Girard, Illinois, has landed new owners, and one of them has ties to the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. Steve and Casey Claypool of nearby Chatham, Illinois, closed on the purchase Friday. They plan to reopen it sometime in April after some interior renovations. Casey also is … Continue reading Doc’s Soda Fountain in Girard lands new owners

U.S. House committee holds hearing on Route 66 National Historic Trail bill

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) testified Wednesday before a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing about his proposed Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act.  LaHood was joined by Casey Claypool, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, who also testified in support of the bill, which is H.R. 3600. The bill, introduced in … Continue reading U.S. House committee holds hearing on Route 66 National Historic Trail bill

Illinois Route 66 Byway launching its second round of grants to members

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week began a launch of requests for the next round of funds to businesses and communities along Illinois Route 66 ranging from $500 to $1,000 to byway members. Funds are available only to byway members; one can join the byway at illinoisroute66.org/membership. Applications will be accepted through the … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Byway launching its second round of grants to members

Route 66 Monarch Flyway in Illinois aims to help butterflies

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and Illinois Department of Transportation have partnered to create a 66-mile-wide Route 66 Monarch Flyway to help monarch butterflies. WTTW, a PBS affiliate detailed the program: What the roadway can do for the butterfly is simple: Route 66 in Illinois happens to follow the natural migratory path of the … Continue reading Route 66 Monarch Flyway in Illinois aims to help butterflies

First phase of Illinois Route 66 Experience coming next month to Illinois State Fair

One of the entrance gates of the Illinois State Fair will be the site of the first phase of the Illinois Route 66 Experience when the fair begins on Aug. 12. The attraction will be at Gate 2, which is at the corner of Sangamon Avenue and Ninth Street in Springfield. According to a news … Continue reading First phase of Illinois Route 66 Experience coming next month to Illinois State Fair

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $5,000 in grants to various projects

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announced Thursday it has awarded grants totaling $5,000 to byway members for various projects. These are the grant awardees: Sky View Drive-In theater in Litchfield, Illinois: $1,000 to help repaint its screen;Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois: $1,000 to build a series of informative and interpretative banners and signage … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $5,000 in grants to various projects

Illinois Scenic Byway unveils revamped website, mobile app, membership program

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway on Tuesday -- the 94th anniversary of Route 66 -- announcing several changes it hopes will benefit travelers and boost provide tourism and economic development benefits to attractions and communities along Illinois' portion of Route 66. The new look of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway website The byway's … Continue reading Illinois Scenic Byway unveils revamped website, mobile app, membership program

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway picks new director

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway chose Casey Wichmann, a veteran of marketing and nonprofit organizations, as the group's new executive director. The byway's board of directors made the decision to tap Wichmann for the post. According to a news release from the byway: Wichmann brings to the byway a wealth of knowledge and an … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway picks new director

Route 66 display added to State of Illinois’ Stratton Office Building in Springfield

Officials on Tuesday unveiled a new Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway display during a ceremony at the State of Illinois' Stratton Office Building in Springfield. The display is just outside of the offices of state Reps. Tim Butler and Mike Murphy at the Wm. G. Stratton Building at 401 S. Spring St. in Springfield (map … Continue reading Route 66 display added to State of Illinois’ Stratton Office Building in Springfield

Route 66 Experience Hub unveiled in downtown Bloomington

Local officials on Monday unveiled a 9-foot-tall Route 66 Experience Hub at Main and Jefferson streets in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, in an effort to boost tourism there. The interactive kiosk is designed to help point out to visitors Route 66 attractions in the city and region, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph: The hub — the 14th experience … Continue reading Route 66 Experience Hub unveiled in downtown Bloomington