Along66, March 2023: How About That Illinois Route 66!!

I take these from the Route 66 News site.  I just pick the entries of most interest to me.  But, this site has new content every day and covers the whole road.  It also includes pictures, video and more information.  I strongly recommend it for any of you who are into the Mother Road.

MARCH 2

A new Route 66-themed mural will be unveiled at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois.  It has ten panels and stretches 40 feet long.  It will be displayed on the left side of the entrance.

And, as I have said before, along with neon and museums, you can never have too many murals.

MARCH 3

The American Giants Museum is planned for Atlanta, Illinois.  It will be an effort of Mr. Muffler man, Joe Baker.  The museum will be almost directly across from Atlanta's muffler man, the Bunyan Giant.

Now, if we could just get that smiley face off the water tower, things will be fine in Atlanta.

--RoadDog

Along66, Feb. 3023: Using the Negro Green Book and 100th Anniversary of the Rialto Square Theatre

FEBRUARY 10

The Illinois Holocaust Museum is hosting a Negro Green Book exhibition.

It is located in Skokie.

Of real interest is an interactive driving tour from the 1940s and 1950s.  On one you use the Green Book and you can also make the same drive where you don't have to use the Green Book.  In other words, you are White, not Black on the second one.

It was too bad that Blacks had to even use the Green Book, but that was the way it was back then.

FEBRUARY 12

The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, will soon have a 40-foot long mural featuring tself and Route 66.  Both the theatre and Route 66 are celebrating their centennials in 2026.

The mural was made with an $85,000 grant.

--RoadDog

Edwardsville, Illinois, Prepares for Route 66's 100th Anniversary

From the January 29, 2023, Edwardsville Intelligencer "Route 66  Monument sign erected across from Lincoln Middle School" by Charles  Bolinger.

The next part of the Route 66 Celebration was installed in Edwardsville Friday after public works crews installed a 12.5 foot tall Route 66 Monument sign on the east side of Illinois Highway 157 across from Lincoln Middle School.  This road, of course, was an alignment of historic Route 66.

This is to provide  "Instagrammable" moments for travelers as is a mural on the side of a building  at South Main and  East Vandalia streets that was put up last year.

The mural and monument are all part of Edwardsville's celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road which will take place in 2026.

Another part of the effort will be tom open a Route 66 tourism museum at the southeast corner of  West and St. Louis streets.

Edwardsville, a Town That Knows Its Route 66 Heritage.  --RoadDog

Route 66's Quirkiest and Most Wonderful Attractions State by State: Illinois

From Stacker.

ILLINOIS

Grant Park (Chicago)

Pontiac (Mural City)  (Old Log Cabin)

Springfield  (Lauterbach Giant)

Staunton  (Henry's Rabbit Ranch)

Collinsville  (World's Largest Catsup Bottle)

Madison  (Chain of Rocks Bridge)

Who Says There Is Nothing to See in Illinois?  --RoadIll

Along66, August 2022: Joliet Ups Its Route 66 Effort

AUGUST 4

Joliet clarifies what it will do with the nearly half million dollars it is getting for Route 66.

Joliet, Illinois, says it will beef up its Route 66 attractions for the Mother Road's upcoming centennial in 1926.  The city council loaned $484,500 to the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Center.

Among specifics:

**  A revamped Route 66 Welcome Center

**  New exhibit at the Joliet Area Historical Museum

**  Mural on the Rialto Square Theatre

**  Two new Route 66 sculptures

--RoadDog

Along66 July 2022: New Murals in Oklahoma and Illinois and a New Bronze Statue in Albuquerque

JULY 27

New murals in Route Corridor in Collinsville and Edwardsville, Illinois.  There is also one in Yukon, Oklahoma.  Next to neon, I like murals the best.  Well, also museums.

JULY 31 

Albuquerque dedicates a new bronze statue of the "Breaking Bad" lead actors, Walter  White and Jesse Pinkman.  

This popular AMC show ran from 2008  to 2013.

--RoadDog

Along66, May 2022: Grants in Illinois

MAY 16

Illinois announced  $4 million in grants for Route 66 projects.

This is a project of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Targeted projects are the visitors center in a former gas station in Edwardsville, the reopening of the Old Cannonball Jail in Carlinville and a new muffler man restaurant in Berwyn.

**  $1,170,523 to Springfield CVB to create interactive focus on Blacks traveling or living along Route 66.  Plus, there will be Route 66 signs at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in that city.

**  $919,000 to Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau to retrofit the West End Service Station in Edwardsville to serve as a Route 66 visitors center and museum.

Reopen the historic Cannonball Jail in Carlinville.

Create 12 Route 66 postcard-style murals with Route 66 facts in Virden, Girard, Gillespie, Carlinville, Litchfield, Staunton, Hamel, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Livingston, Granite City and St. Louis.

**  $1,575,488 to the Heritage Corridor CVB to build electric charging stations in Wilmington and Pontiac, a Route 66 welcom center in Joliet and an integrated statewide marketing campaign focused on Route 66 destinations.

It's All Good.  --RoadDog

Along66, March 2022: New Grants in Illinois

MARCH 11

Illinois tourism bureau applies for a grant for Route 66 visitor center, reopening Cannonball Jail in Carlinville.

The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is southwest Illinois has applied for a grant from the state's Route 66 Grant Program.

Grants applied for:

**  West End Service Station at 620 St. Louis Street in Edwardsville to be turned into an educational museum and Route 66 Visitors Center.

**  Development of the  Mural Trail to create 11 postcard-style matching murals in southwest Illinois:  Virden, Girard, Carlinville, Litchfield, Staunton, Hamel, Edwardsville, Collinsville and Granite City.

**  Carlinville, Macoupin County:  "Cannonball Jail" across from the "Million Dollar Courthouse."   It was constructed after the Civil War with surplus cannonballs placed between the stones to make escape impossible.  Built in 1869.

Doggone Cannonballs.  --RoadEscape

Two Other Illinois Byway Members Receive Grants as Well

Continued from the previous post.  Two other places in Illinois received a $1,000 grant:

**  O'Brien Tire  & Auto Care Group in Granite City to help with a mural.  They have operated on the original alignment of Route 66 in Granite City since 1932 and claims to be the longest-running auto repair shop on 66.

They have spend about $35,000 to adopting a Route 66 theme to their place and have the largest tire with a Route 66 insert at eight feet.  I have not seen this place, but may have to check it out next time we're that way.  (Information on this place from the Route 66 News site.)

**  DeCamp Station in Staunton to help waterproof the bar basement and preserve the foundation.

We were so happy to finally get to go inside this place a few years back during a motor tour.  

We've always had the misfortune to have it closed when we've driven by before.  Either that, or we had somewhere we had to be.

And, We Can Always Use More Murals.  --RoadDog

Along 66, August 2020: Cuba Murals and Ok . Road Trip

AUGUST 29--  Murals in Cuba, Missouri, getting a new preservation process.  The first one of those neat murals was put up about 20 years ago.  Artist Shelly Smith Steiger has a team applying mural protectant on all of them.

Of course, because of said art, Cuba is now known as "Mural City."

In Illinois, we have a similar town with lots and lots of murals named Pontiac.  And, most every Lincoln Highway town in Illinois has a mural.

Like neon signs, I love my murals.

AUGUST 30--  The latest Roadtrip Oklahoma video spotlights Tulsa. They go to three places:  Tally's Restaurant with its gigantic cinnamon bun, creative omelets and chicken-fried steak.  

Also Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios and the Route 66 Historical Village.

Sure Looking Forward to getting Back on 66.  --Road66

Along 66, Feb. 2020: Cuba and the Gasconade Bridge

FEBRUARY 21--  Cuba, Missouri, launches a new tourism app.  Reckon they have something about the Wagon Wheel Motel and murals.  Of course, I can't get any of those apps on my flip phone.

FEBRUARY 22--  The Gasconade Bridge Guardians have won a lawsuit against the Workin' Bridges group.  They were fined $1,000 plus court costs.

FEBRUARY 24-- The Route 66 Association of  Missouri has begun talks to take over the Gasconade Bridge.

If someone doesn't take it over and do something with it, it will be gone.

--RoadDog

Best of the Midwest-- Part 4: Route 66 in Illinois from Waldmire to Da Bridge

From Wilmington, you go to Pontiac and the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum with all that Bob Waldmire (the inspiration for the hippy van in the movie "Cars") stuff , all those murals, museums and that wonderful county courthouse which I regard as the prettiest anywhere.

Then, on to Springfield for all that Lincoln stuff and a definite stop at the Cozy Dog Drive In, home of those wonderful Cozy Dogs (don't call them corn dogs or you'll be corrected).   This place was owned by Bob Waldmire's parents.   Then four miles south of town is the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, which just opened in 2018 (in an old Stuckey's store) and is a real trip back.

Last stop is at the interesting old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2019: Own a Historic Bar and Help the Joliet Correctional Center

MAY 19--  Historic Chubby's Bar and Grille in Atlanta, Illinois, is for sale as the owners want to retire.  It is located at 111 Southeast Vine Street.  Asking price is $79,000.

It is located near the Palms Grill Cafe and the muffler man from Henry's Drive In in Cicero, Illinois.  (The one holding the hot dog.)  There is a great mural painted on the side of the building.

I have driven by the place many times and thought the mural was for a long-closed place, but evidently not so.  So, if you've always wanted to own a bar and restaurant, now's your chance.

MAY 21--  The Joliet Correctional Center needs $10 million to stabilize six key structures.

Hey, For Jake Blues.  --RoadDog

Along 66, August 2018: My Thoughts on 'The Capital of Route 66', Make Mine Pontiac, Illinois

I sure would have to say that there sure were a lot of cities Texas and west.  Somebody stuffing the ballot box?

And, I must say I like all of these cities.  If it is on Route 66, I am going to like it.

I'd like to nominate St. Louis for the bridges, especially Chain of Rocks and that delightful drive along the alignment that includes Ted Drewe's.  However, after what they did with the Confederate statue, they's never get my vote.  I have a personal boycott going on for that city.

But, I'd sure like to put Pontiac, Illinois, up for "Capital of Route 66.  There is no city on the old road more in tune with its heritage.  It has become "The City of Murals" and, even better, the City of Museums."  Plus, there is that beautiful courthouse.

My Vote, Anyway.  --RoadDog

Along 66, May 2018: A Motel and Murals

These are taken from the Route 66 News site, which has more information and pictures.  I just pick the stories of most interest to me, but if you want to know what is going on anywhere along 66, check out that site.

MAY 1--  The new owners pledge to restore the Hill Top Motel in Kingman, Arizona.  The place has a neat looking sign.  Always glad to have an old motel brought back.

MAY 2--  Miami, Oklahoma, adds five murals to its downtown.

Well, If I Can Ever Learn How to Pronounce Miami, Oklahoma-Style.  --RoadDog

Along 66, April 2018: Murals, Fires and a Neon Relighting

APRIL 8--  Windstorm flattens Route 66 mural in Lexington, Illinois.  Hope they get it back up again before teh red Carpet Corridor Festival in May.

APRIL 8--  Rooftop neon sign on Wilder's Steakhouse in Joplin, Missouri,  relighting set for April 14.  The Missouri Route 66 Association is having a meeting there earlier that day.  I've seen postcards of the interior of the place and have always wanted to eat there.

Of course, give me more NEON!!

APRIL 9--  Wildfire forces the evacuation of Winona, Arizona.  Well, it must be there.  Since it is mentioned in that famous song, we were looking forward to seeing it.  When we drove out to the end of Route 66 in 2006, we saw a sign for Winona and never did see it.

Will the Real Winona Please Stand Up?  --RoadDog

Illinois' 200th Anniversary-- Part 4: Black Hawk and Lewis & Clark

This year marks the State of Illinois' 200th anniversary of being in the United States.  It joined in December, 1818.

These are historical places every Illinoisan should visit at least once.

16.  CHESS RECORDS--  Chicago--  2120 S. Michigan Avenue.  Where Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones and many others made music history.

17.  PILSEN MURALS--  Chicago--  These murals have been up fifty years.  Also, the neighborhood is still primarily Hispanic.

18.  BLACK HAWK STATE HISTORIC SITE--  Rock Island--  The sauk and Fox Indians.  Black Hawk led a failed attempt to reoccupy lands his people had lost to whites.  This led to the brief Black Hawk War of 1832.

19.  LEWIS AND CLARK--  Downstate near St. Louis--  Hartford, Illinois--  Reconstruction of Camp Dubois where Corps of Discovery spent the winter 1803-1804, preparing for their epic trip.

20.  ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL MONUMENT-- Chicago-- Put up on 100th anniversary of statehood in 1918 in Logan Park.  Depicts Native Americans, explorers, farmers and laborers.

--RoadIllinosDog

Along 66, December 2017: Virden Mural, "The Elvis of France" and Onion Burgers

DECEMBER 5--  Virden, Illinois, mural deemed irreparable and will be wholly repainted instead of touch up.  It will be repainted from scratch and with a new design.

Love those murals.

DECEMBER 6--  Johnny Hallyday, "the Elvis of France" and a big Route 66 fan died at age 77.  I never heard any of his songs.

DECEMBER  9--  50 Years of Making Fried Onion Burgers.  Monty Hall of El Reno, Oklahoma has been making them for that long.  First at Johnnie's Grill and then at Sid's Diner, which he has owned since 1989.

One of those great foods you can find on 66.

--RoadDog

Along 66, October 2017: New Mural and New Owners in Illinois

OCTOBER 18--  New Route 66 mural in Lexington, Illinois.   By the Thrift Avenue store on Main Street.  Walldogs wouldn't do it, but a high school student at University High School in Normal, Ana Cappis made it her summer project.

We saw it on our 66 on 66 Cruise.  Nice job.  Close to the new Kelly's on 66 in Lexington.

OCTOBER 18--  Miles of Possibility conference attendees met the new owners of Wilmington, Illinois' Launching Pad Restaurant, Tully Garrett and Holly Barker.  Holly has worked in North Carolina bbq restaurants and is from there.  We drove by it and it such good news that the place is opening again.  Sure glad nothing happened to the 'naut while the place was closed.

Here's really hoping that they start serving Carolina 'Cue.

Try It, You'll Like It.  --RoadDog

Along 66, October 2017: Elkhart, Illinois and Pacific, Missouri

These news articles are taken from the Route 66 News site.  I just take the ones that are of special interest to me.  The site has pictures and many more items as well as in depth accounts on the ones I use.

OCTOBER 10--  A new Route 66-themed mural has been unveiled in downtown Elkhart, Illinois.  We saw it in October on our 66 on 66 Cruise.  Also, I'm glad to see they are doing something with the old gas station.  Repairs are being made.  Perhaps it will be a visitors center.

OCTOBER 14--  The City of Pacific, Missouri, has closed the deal to buy the Red Cedar Inn on the east side of town for $290,000.  Plans are to turn it into a visitors  center/historical museum and genealogy center.
This is one place we never were able to visit.  It was open our first year on 66, but closed before we could get back to it.

And, just recently, the city acquired Jensen's Point.  A city committed to its 66 heritage.

OCTOBER 17--  David Clark to lead a Chicagoland tour after the Miles of Possibilities Conference in Joliet on the Saturday after it ends, October 21.

David is a very knowledgeable guy, but he sure can walk REAL fast.

--RoadDog