Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum

The City of Springfield, Illinois, recently accepted a $623,000 state grant to reopen Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum along Route 66. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau director Scott Dahl wants to make the closed station on Peoria Road (aka Route 66) an "Instagram-able stop," especially for international travelers. Dahl elaborated on … Continue reading Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum

Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

Jungle Jim’s Cafe on north side of Springfield closes permanently

The auto racing-themed Jungle Jim's Cafe on the north side of Springfield, Illinois, closed its doors shortly after New Year's Day. The Facebook account for the restaurant on Jan. 3 announced the closing, citing labor shortages, higher costs and the advancing age of the operators: Jungle Jim's Cafe at 1923 N. Peoria Road (aka Route … Continue reading Jungle Jim’s Cafe on north side of Springfield closes permanently

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

Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill will open in March

Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield, Illinois, which contains memorabilia from Route 66 sites in central Illinois, is slated to open in March. The Springfield State Journal-Register reported the former Stuckey's restaurant on Toronto Road on the west side of Interstate 55 will open its bar and gaming room in mid-March, its grill … Continue reading Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill will open in March

Site of Shea’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum back up for sale

The site of the Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, is back up for sale, but the owner still is considering acquiring a business partner to help keep its Route 66 look. Tim Landis, business editor of the Springfield State Journal-Register, reported on the change in his weekly column: Owner Randy Pickett … Continue reading Site of Shea’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum back up for sale

Shea’s Route 66 Museum returning as Route 66-themed auto-repair shop

Shea's Route 66 Museum in Springfield, Illinois, which closed and its contents auctioned after the death of its longtime owner in 2013, will reopen this summer as a Route 66-themed auto-repair business. Local classic-car aficionados Randy Pickett and Jake Niewold plan to convert the vacant building to an auto-repair and maintenance shop with a Route 66 … Continue reading Shea’s Route 66 Museum returning as Route 66-themed auto-repair shop

Governor signs Illinois Route 66 motorcycle plate bill

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill Saturday that allows motorcyclists to buy a special Illinois Route 66 license plate that benefits the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway fund. Rauner signed the bill at the historic Mahan service station at Fulgenzi's Pizza and Pasta on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. Fulgenzi's purchased and moved the … Continue reading Governor signs Illinois Route 66 motorcycle plate bill

Springfield may add TIF district to section of Route 66

Springfield, Illinois, may add a tax-increment financing district to declining Peoria Road, which is historic Route 66 in the town's north side. TIF districts are where taxes from rising property-tax values are used to pay a part of renovation costs or infrastructure improvements for businesses. Anecdotal evidence existed the Peoria Road district was in decline, but WRSP-TV had … Continue reading Springfield may add TIF district to section of Route 66

Mahan gas station moved to restaurant

The historic Mahan gas station that sat at the now-closed Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, was moved Sunday about a quarter-mile north to its new owner, Fulgenzi's Pizza and Pasta, reported the State Journal-Register. Owner Jeff Fulgenzi told the newspaper he plans to restore it as much as possible to its original state. It was placed … Continue reading Mahan gas station moved to restaurant