Two Route 66 festivals on the same weekend but more than 1,500 miles part drew good crowds over the Sept. 25-27 weekend. The president of the board of directors for the 14th annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in downtown Springfield, Illinois, told the State Journal-Register that festival attendance was up "substantially" this year. The … Continue reading Route 66 events on same weekend draw crowds
Tag: Springfield IL
Shea’s Gas Station Museum soon will be auctioned
Everything at Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois -- including the land on which it sits -- soon will be auctioned almost two years after the patriarch's death at age 91. A bunch of outdoor equipment at the site is slated to be auctioned by Darrell L. Adcock Auction Service starting at 10 a.m. Oct. 10. Bill Shea … Continue reading Shea’s Gas Station Museum soon will be auctioned
Newspaper lists 66 Things About Route 66 in Illinois
For the past few weeks, the State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois, embarked on an ambitious project to list daily a landmark on Route 66 in the state. It was called 66 Things About Route 66, and each entry featured a photograph and a few paragraphs about it. The newspaper finished No. 66 on Tuesday morning. … Continue reading Newspaper lists 66 Things About Route 66 in Illinois
Book review: “Waldmire”
It seems a bit odd to call William Crook Jr.'s publication about his memories of the life of Bob Waldmire a book, as it's a slim 28 pages and staple-bound. Regardless, "Waldmire" (subtitled "An Artist's Life on Route 66") contains details about the hippie, environmentalist and Route 66 artist that might have escaped those who even … Continue reading Book review: “Waldmire”
Booklet published on life of Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire
A friend of the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire has published a 28-page booklet, "Waldmire: An Artist's Life On Route 66." Springfield, Illinois, artist Bill Crook met Waldmire during the 1970s and wrote the book, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. "Waldmire" includes reproductions of some of Waldmire's art, some of Crook's art, including … Continue reading Booklet published on life of Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire
Discover America touts Springfield
Discover America recently uploaded nicely done videos about Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. The videos tout the same things, but show slightly different footage and in different languages for the benefit of potential travelers abroad. The videos below are in English, German and Japanese. https://youtu.be/pPyRpAkDCOc https://youtu.be/I6DbcuETP0g https://youtu.be/J94s6kXOoeI More about Discover America: The Corporation for Travel … Continue reading Discover America touts Springfield
Springfield mayor ends up with Bel-Aire Motel’s seal
The mayor of Springfield, Illinois, is the new owner of the seal sculpture that once stood at the now-demolished Bel-Air Motel on Route 66 in Springfield, according to the State Journal-Register. Jim Langfelder said he paid $2,500 of his own money for the 8,000-pound statue, which once stood as a fountain near what used to be … Continue reading Springfield mayor ends up with Bel-Aire Motel’s seal
Signs saved from the demolished Bel-Aire Motel
An article this week in the The State Journal-Register answers one question in the wake of the demolition of the Bel-Air Motel in Springfield, Illinois -- what will happen to the neon signs? The short answer: They've been acquired by two local residents, where they likely will be restored. Retired Springfield businessman Ron Metzger and … Continue reading Signs saved from the demolished Bel-Aire Motel
Demolition of Bel-Aire Motel begins
The razing of the long-troubled and condemned Bel-Aire Motel along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, began Monday, according to varying media outlets in the city. The Springfield State Journal-Register published a gallery of photos of Sheppard's Auto Sales & Salvage doing the demolition work. The company's owner said he hoped he would be finished within … Continue reading Demolition of Bel-Aire Motel begins
Bel-Aire sputnik will be restored for sign company’s museum
For those who worried about the fate of the sputnik structure atop the doomed Bel-Air Motel in Springfield, Illinois, do not worry. Ace Sign Co. of Springfield removed the sputnik over the weekend and eventually will restore it for its neon museum that coincidentally opens today, according to the State Journal-Register. The fiberglass ball of … Continue reading Bel-Aire sputnik will be restored for sign company’s museum