Route 66 bike trail extension in Normal would link to Sprague’s Super Service station

The town council of Normal, Illinois, on Monday will consider whether to approve a bid for an extension of a bicycle trail along Route 66 that would connect to the historic Sprague's Super Service station. According to WGLT, an National Public Radio affiliate at Illinois State University: The roughly $471,000 contract would extend the trail … Continue reading Route 66 bike trail extension in Normal would link to Sprague’s Super Service station

A lot going on with Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival

Towns along a 90-mile stretch of Route 66 in northern Illinois offer a lot during Saturday's Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival, but Wilmington's seems especially enticing. Not only does that city's Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie offer the chance of seeing the famous Smokey Bear hot-air balloon and newborn bison, but the new owners of … Continue reading A lot going on with Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival

Dawn Patterson of DK’s Garage in Towanda dies

Dawn Patterson of Towanda, Illinois, who turned her two-car garage next to her home into a Route 66 tourist destination called DK's Garage, died last week after a brief illness. She was 59. Catherine Stevanovich of the Illinois Route 66 Association wrote some thoughts about Patterson in an email: If Dawn's garage overhead door was … Continue reading Dawn Patterson of DK’s Garage in Towanda dies

An update on the restoration of the Duncan Manor near Towanda

Ten years ago, the historic but long-neglected Duncan Manor along Route 66 near Towanda, Illinois, was placed on a list of Illinois’ Ten Most Endangered Historic Places. Nowadays, the Duncan Manor isn't out of the woods yet, but improvements have been made, and David and Randi Howell seem committed to restoring it since purchasing the … Continue reading An update on the restoration of the Duncan Manor near Towanda

McLean County in Illinois extends Route 66 Bike Trail

The board of McLean County, Illinois, this week voted to extend the Route 66 Bike Trail another 3.25 miles from Shirley, Illinois, to the hamlet of Funks Grove. The current trail runs from Towanda, Illinois, through the Bloomington-Normal metro area to Shirley. The new extension will bring its total length to nearly 19 miles. According … Continue reading McLean County in Illinois extends Route 66 Bike Trail

Illinois county seeks another expansion of Route 66 bicycle trail

McLean County, Illinois, is seeking a federal grant to help add seven miles to a Route 66 bicycle trail outside of the Bloomington-Normal metro area. According to WJBC radio: The McLean County Board is expected to apply for federal funds to add a 4-mile stretch of the trail between Lexington and Towanda and a 3.25-mile … Continue reading Illinois county seeks another expansion of Route 66 bicycle trail

Normal plans to improve Route 66 Bike Trail

Normal, Illinois, plans to spend $260,000 for a multi-use trail connecting the Route 66 Bike Trail at  Towanda Avenue and Shelbourne Drive to Old Route 66, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The project, part of a bigger project to connect an old Route 66 bicycle trail in nearby Towanda, Illinois, is part of Normal's community investment plan. It's … Continue reading Normal plans to improve Route 66 Bike Trail