A fire broke out Friday morning at The Curve Inn, heavily damaging the 90-year-old tavern just off Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. The Springfield State-Journal Register, speaking with Assistant Fire Chief Julie Plunk, reported that crews "encountered heavy fire and smoke in the bar and restaurant beer garden, along with a partial roof collapse." A … Continue reading Fire heavily damages historic Curve Inn tavern in Springfield
Tag: Springfield IL
Illinois governor announces $4 million in tourism grants for Route 66’s centennial
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday joined with other state leaders mark the kickoff of Route 66's centennial and announced $4 million in grants for numerous tourism bureaus to boost that effort. The announcement was made in Granite City with officials from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Agriculture … Continue reading Illinois governor announces $4 million in tourism grants for Route 66’s centennial
Holiday leftovers
Here are a few items that have crossed the Route 66 News desk in recent weeks: --- The board of directors of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival distributed $10,000 to five local charities in the Springfield, Illinois, area. For the first time in the event’s history, funds generated by the festival were distributed to … Continue reading Holiday leftovers
Mel-O-Cream Donuts unveils new sign near its Route 66 store in Springfield
Mel-O-Cream Donuts recently unveiled a new sign at its store along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. The sign is shaped like a Route 66 shield doughnut (naturally). The store also announced during the event that it will have extended hours (until 6 p.m.) and new menu items, including ice cream. This particular Mel-O-Cream is at … Continue reading Mel-O-Cream Donuts unveils new sign near its Route 66 store in Springfield
Kidzeum of Health and Science in Springfield opens a Route 66 exhibit
The Kidzeum of Health and Science in Springfield, Illinois, recently opened a new exhibit, "The Road to Adventure: Exploring Route 66." The new exhibit was part of a celebration marking the children's museum's seventh anniversary. Here are images from the event by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce: According to the Illinois Times: The Road to … Continue reading Kidzeum of Health and Science in Springfield opens a Route 66 exhibit
Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire featured in exhibit at Springfield gallery
The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space in Springfield, Illinois, is featuring the work of the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire in an exhibit through mid-December 2026. The gallery at 623 E. Adams St. is open from noon to 6 p.m. each Friday and Saturday. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The exhibition will … Continue reading Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire featured in exhibit at Springfield gallery
Original stretch of Route 66 opens to public at Carpenter Park in Springfield
The City of Springfield, Illinois, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to celebrate the opening of a quarter-mile stretch of original Route 66 in Carpenter Park to the public. The 16-foot-wide roadway, which had served as Route 66 from 1926 to 1936, sat unused and mostly neglected for 90 years. More from Capital City Now: … Continue reading Original stretch of Route 66 opens to public at Carpenter Park in Springfield
National Trust announces a total of 25 Route 66 Legacy Business Grant awards
The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Wednesday announced the latest selections for its Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Program, part of its Preserve Route 66 initiative. Twenty-five grants were awarded in all eight states that Route 66 goes through for a total of $227,323. Here is the list of awarded projects and dollar amounts: … Continue reading National Trust announces a total of 25 Route 66 Legacy Business Grant awards
Route 66 Association of Arizona plans kickoff event for highway’s centennial on Nov. 15
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona announced an event to kick off the highway's centennial just a few days after its 99th birthday. "A Night at the Route 66 Museum," a one-time, special event, will be from 6 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the Arizona Route 66 Museum (aka Powerhouse) in Kingman, Arizona. … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Arizona plans kickoff event for highway’s centennial on Nov. 15
Route 66 chocolate shields among Coolest Thing Made in Illinois contestants
Route 66 chocolate shields made by Pease's at Bunn Gourmet of Springfield, Illinois, are among the hundreds of contestants in the annual Coolest Thing Made in Illinois contest. They're part of the sixth annual “Makers Madness” contest, where 250 items are nominated and the public gets to choose the overall winner. Alas, the chocolate shields … Continue reading Route 66 chocolate shields among Coolest Thing Made in Illinois contestants