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
Tag: Springfield IL
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
West End Service Station in Edwardsville hosting a display on local Black history
The West End Service Station on Route 66 in Edwardsville, Illinois, is hosting a display on local Black history -- including a bit of the city's own -- through the end of this month. The former gas station at 620 St. Louis St. (aka Route 66), converted into a visitor's center in 2023, presents Black … Continue reading West End Service Station in Edwardsville hosting a display on local Black history
Ace Sign Co. in Springfield featured in Google Workspace’s Super Bowl ad campaign
The historic Ace Sign Co. of Springfield, Illinois, is being featured in a Super Bowl ad campaign for Google Workspace. The shot ad includes footage from the neon signs at the Illinois Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. https://youtu.be/XB6hXGpHLyA?si=ovaxYFlQ4-whRLnY Ace has fabricated a lot of neon signs in Springfield and the … Continue reading Ace Sign Co. in Springfield featured in Google Workspace’s Super Bowl ad campaign
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway earlier this week announced a Route 66 centennial event in 2026 -- the first of many that will be scheduled that year. The byway's Statewide Conference and Centennial Celebration will take place on Nov. 11, 2026, at Route 66 Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, it announced in a news release. "This momentous event … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026