Heritage Corridor Destinations recently unveiled its 2026 Route 66 Travel Guide at City Square in downtown Joliet, Illinois. The 2026 guide provides travelers with a new resource for exploring the first 100 miles of Route 66 as the iconic highway celebrates its historic centennial anniversary. The announcement took place during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for City Square, Joliet's new … Continue reading Heritage Corridor Destinations releases 2026 Route 66 Travel Guide
Tag: Joliet
World’s first Dairy Queen in Joliet to be resurrected as a Route 66 landmark
The very first Dairy Queen restaurant, located in Joliet, Illinois, is being resurrected as a Route 66 landmark. According to WGN-TV, the Joliet Area Historical Museum, which acquired the building in 2023, is leading the project along with the city. Dairy Queen is providing historical and archival documents for the project. J.C. McCullough and Sherb … Continue reading World’s first Dairy Queen in Joliet to be resurrected as a Route 66 landmark
Route 66 Centennial Drone Show to light downtown Joliet’s new City Square
Downtown Joliet, Illinois, will host a Route 66 Centennial Drone Show on Friday as part of the statewide commemoration of Route 66's centennial. Produced by Sky Elements Drone Shows in partnership with the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Illinois Office of Tourism, the display will feature 400 drones lighting up the night sky with Route 66 animations and Joliet imagery. … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Drone Show to light downtown Joliet’s new City Square
Route 66 has a humongous weekend
This past weekend was a huge one for Route 66 -- not just in Springfield, Missouri, but also in Williams, Arizona; Kingman, Arizona; Seligman, Arizona; and Joliet, Illinois. The events came 100 years after officials in Springfield sent a telegram to the federal government, stating they were receptive to the No. 66 for their Chicago-to-Los … Continue reading Route 66 has a humongous weekend
19 Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grants announced
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently announced the awarding of 19 grants totaling more than $40,000 to Route 66 businesses and attractions. Each recipient receives $2,125 from the Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grant Program. These are the recipients: VFW Post 6306 on Route 66 in Topock, Arizona, will commission the painting of … Continue reading 19 Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grants announced
Historic Highway Hustle in Illinois features three 6.6K footraces this summer
This summer, the Historic Highway Hustle will commence, which is a series of three 6.6-kilometer footraces along Route 66 in northern Illinois. The Historic Highway Hustle kicks off with the Run the Rock 6.6K at the Old Joliet Prison on May 3. Participants will weave through the historic prison grounds where towering limestone walls echo with stories of … Continue reading Historic Highway Hustle in Illinois features three 6.6K footraces this summer
Exhibition baseball game to be held behind walls of Old Joliet Prison
The Joliet Slammers independent baseball team will hold an exhibition game at 3:05 p.m. April 30 at the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois, to celebrate Route 66's centennial. The Joliet Area Historical Museum and the City of Joliet announced the game, reported WGN-TV in Chicago. “‘The Big House Ballgame’ is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to … Continue reading Exhibition baseball game to be held behind walls of Old Joliet Prison
Route 66 photographer David Schwartz to hold exhibition in Wilmington next month
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
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