Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau announces more details on state Route 66 funding

The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau announced what it will do with more than $800,000 in state Route 66 funding. It includes an RV park and campground at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston; a mural at the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield; a drive-through Route 66 shield at Country Classic Cars in Staunton; … Continue reading Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau announces more details on state Route 66 funding

Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

The restoration of the Hi-Way Cafe neon sign near Vinita, Oklahoma, was among the newest cost-share grants announced this week by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Four of the grants involved neon signs. In addition to the Hi-Way, grants went to the Henning Motel sign in Newberry Springs, California; the Road Runner's Retreat sign … Continue reading Restoration of Hi-Way Cafe sign among newest Route 66 Corridor cost-share grants

Country Classic Cars near Staunton lands new owners

Country Classic Cars, a mainstay along Route 66 near Staunton, Illinois, for almost a quarter-century, has new proprietors after the previous owners decided to retire. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Josh and Candi Laurent bought out longtime owners Russ and Anita Noel, who plan to travel around the country. The business' Facebook page made … Continue reading Country Classic Cars near Staunton lands new owners

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 Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $4,000 in grants for varying projects

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week announced it awarded a total of $4,000 in grants to four byway members, including one that has created the Largest Tire on Route 66. It is the second round of grant awards from the byway. According to a news release: Byway Project Funds are to support events, … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $4,000 in grants for varying projects

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

St. Robert begins restoration of Stanley Cour-Tel neon signs

The City of St. Robert, Missouri, recently announced it began the long-awaited restoration of the Stanley Cour-Tel neon signs that once graced a defunct motel along Route 66 in west St. Louis. The sign restorations are part of the Route 66 Sign Neon Park planned at the historic George M. Reed Roadside Park at 228 … Continue reading St. Robert begins restoration of Stanley Cour-Tel neon signs

VIDEO: Tornado damages Country Classic Cars near Staunton

A tornado severely damaged several buildings and cars Saturday at Country Classic Cars along old Route 66 near Staunton, Illinois. Here is incredible footage from Kyle Swip of the twister hitting the business: It was the second disaster to befall the classic-car lot in less than 18 months. In August 2017, a fire destroyed one … Continue reading VIDEO: Tornado damages Country Classic Cars near Staunton

Group donates neon signs to Route 66 Neon Park

The Friends of the Mother Road nonprofit group this week donated neon signs from the Stanley Cour-Tel and Lin-Air Motel on Route 66 in St. Louis to the future Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert, Missouri. According to a news release from Beth Wiles of Pulaski County Route 66 Preservation: Both properties were razed … Continue reading Group donates neon signs to Route 66 Neon Park

A clue surfaces in the Country Classic Cars fire

The cause of a fire that destroyed dozens of vintage cars and a large building last month at Country Classic Cars near Staunton, Illinois, remains undetermined, but a new report reveals one possibility. An insurance-industry publication called Claims Journal this week reported interesting facts about the blaze: --- The fire destroyed a total of 143 cars in … Continue reading A clue surfaces in the Country Classic Cars fire