Photographer and storyteller David J. Schwartz will premiere his new Route 66 exhibition, "Roadwork Ahead: The Exhibition – A Future for the Mother Road," at the Art On 66 Gallery in Wilmington, Illinois. The show opens with a public reception on Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will remain on view through … Continue reading Route 66 photographer David Schwartz to hold exhibition in Wilmington next month
Tag: Joliet
Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces remaining slate of speakers, activities
The 10th annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference recently announced the remaining schedule of speakers and activities for its event on Oct. 9-11 in Joliet, Illinois. It was previously announced that Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association along with being an author and writer, would be the keynote speaker. The rest … Continue reading Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announces remaining slate of speakers, activities
Five cities chosen as Official Satellite Cities for Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off
Five communities were designated as Official Satellite Cities for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026. The five Official Satellite Cities are Joliet, Illinois; St. Louis; Amarillo, Texas; Albuquerque; and Santa Monica, California. Those cities will join the live, online media event combined with Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off celebrations in Springfield, Missouri, which … Continue reading Five cities chosen as Official Satellite Cities for Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off
Oklahoma Route 66 Association president is keynote speaker for Miles of Possibility Conference
The annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference, scheduled for Oct. 9-11 in Joliet, Illinois, recently announced that Rhys Martin, author, photographer and president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, will be the event's keynote speaker. The conference's main activities will be at the Joliet Area Historical Museum. The conference stated in a news release … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association president is keynote speaker for Miles of Possibility Conference
National Trust announces latest round of Preserve Route 66 grant recipients
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced its latest grants from its Preserve Route 66 program totaling $135,835. Among the grants awarded are preservation work on an Albuquerque building where Microsoft started, funds to pursue a National Register of Historic Places listing for the Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, and an educational program about … Continue reading National Trust announces latest round of Preserve Route 66 grant recipients
Severe storm damages Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
A severe storm Sunday morning damaged the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, Illinois, including ripping off part of the upper facade. Ron Romero, chairman and creator of the museum, said a check on interior security cameras indicates the artifacts are safe. The giant neon guitar on … Continue reading Severe storm damages Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
Joliet museum acquires the site of the world’s first Dairy Queen
The Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet, Illinois, recently acquired space that housed the world's first Dairy Queen restaurant. That first DQ, which opened in 1940, was in a brick, two-story building at 501 N. Chicago St., though the building itself dates to the 1890s. Greg Peerbolte, the museum's executive director, talked to the Joliet … Continue reading Joliet museum acquires the site of the world’s first Dairy Queen
Old Joliet Prison designated to National Register of Historic Places
The Old Joliet Prison, aka Joliet Correctional Center or Illinois State Penitentiary, in Joliet, Illinois, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation was effective Sept. 25, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service that administers the program. Two years ago, the City of Joliet received a $35,000 grant from … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison designated to National Register of Historic Places
Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday
The Joliet Area Historical Museum on Sunday will open the circa-1920s Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market in Joliet, Illinois, as a house museum. The market at 1314 Elizabeth St. (map here) will have free admission that day. After that, the Planinsek Grocery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday until … Continue reading Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday
Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
The Joliet-based Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 recently announced its third class of inductees, and one of them made a key impact on Route 66 itself. That would be Nat King Cole, who was born in Alabama but spent his formative years in Chicago. He popularized "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" … Continue reading Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66