Largest handmade guitar sculpture coming to Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

A 24-foot-tall handmade guitar sculpture proclaimed as the world's largest will be coming to the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, Illinois. The work, called Gigantar, will begin a nearly one-week road trip to the museum with a launch party at the legendary Stone Pony nightclub in Asbury Park, New … Continue reading Largest handmade guitar sculpture coming to Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66

The City of Lockport, Illinois, a few days ago erected a Route 66 monument sign that celebrates the city's dubious heritage with the highway and Route 66's approaching centennial. According to the Homer Glen-Lockport Patch, the monument was placed on State Street near the Metra lot. "To commemorate Lockport’s role in the Route 66 centennial, … Continue reading City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66

Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fair gets $500,000 grant; Old Joliet prison gets $250,000

The Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield will receive a $500,000 grant to help add to the exhibit, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Old Joliet Prison in Joliet also will receive $250,000 from the same program for exterior illumination of the … Continue reading Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fair gets $500,000 grant; Old Joliet prison gets $250,000

Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi to perform next month at Old Joliet Prison

Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi will perform at the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois, on Aug. 19 as part of an elaborate Blues Brothers Con at the historic site. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Joliet Area Historical Museum, reported The Herald-News. “He [Dan Aykroyd] made a significant donation of his time to … Continue reading Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi to perform next month at Old Joliet Prison

‘World’s Ugliest Courthouse’ on Route 66 in Joliet placed on endangered historic places list

Landmarks Illinois recently released its annual list of its most endangered historic places in the state, and one of them has the dubious distinction of being labeled the "world's ugliest courthouse." It is the Will County Courthouse in downtown Joliet, Illinois, along a southbound alignment of Route 66. Landmarks Illinois wrote this about the Brutalist-style … Continue reading ‘World’s Ugliest Courthouse’ on Route 66 in Joliet placed on endangered historic places list

Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced $4 million in grants for various projects along Route 66, including a visitors center in a former Edwardsville gas station, reopening the old Cannonball Jail in Carlinville and a new Muffler Man on a restaurant in Berwyn. According to Riverbender.com and … Continue reading Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

Illinois Rock and Roll Museum to open later this year after first Hall of Fame induction

The Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet will open to the public later this year after it holds its first Hall of Fame ceremony on Aug. 31. Inductees of the inaugural class are Buddy Guy, Chicago, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Muddy Waters, The Buckinghams, The Ides of March and longtime disc … Continue reading Illinois Rock and Roll Museum to open later this year after first Hall of Fame induction

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 Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 to hold first induction Aug. 31 at Rialto Square Theatre

The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet will hold its first induction ceremony on Aug. 31 at the city's Rialto Square Theatre after it was postponed from March 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement about the ceremony was made Friday on WJOL radio: “Last year’s debut event was postponed due … Continue reading Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 to hold first induction Aug. 31 at Rialto Square Theatre

Route 66 selfie station added to Joliet Area Historical Museum

The city of Joliet, Illinois, recently added a Route 66-themed selfie station for travelers at the entrance of the Joliet Area Historical Museum. According to the Joliet Patch, the station is a collaboration between the museum, the Joliet City Center Partnership and the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. Museum director Greg Peerbolte told Joliet … Continue reading Route 66 selfie station added to Joliet Area Historical Museum