The Route 66 Association of Illinois will begin to accept nominations for its Hall of Fame from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, according to a news release by the association.
To qualify, nominees must have made significant contributions to the character or history of the Illinois Route 66 while it was an official U.S. highway from 1927 to 1977.
From the release:
The Hall of Fame honors those people and businesses whose careers or experiences along the road helped give it such special flavor in this state. Its 80-plus members include truck drivers, waitresses, farmers, police officers, many mom-and-pop businesses, a ballroom, a movie palace, a drive in theater and the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
The committee invites anyone to submit a nomination. It must include a fact-based essay about the nominee’s contributions to the character or history of the Illinois portion of Route 66 while it was an official United States highway in the State (1927-1977). Photos, news clips and other memorabilia are welcome to accompany the essay but are not required. A panel of historians and Hall of Fame members will judge all nominations.
Please submit nominations and all accompanying materials to:
The Route 66 Association of Illinois
Attn: Hall of Fame Committee
110 W. Howard St.
Pontiac, IL 61724
Nominations also can be e-mailed to Kathy Miller at Kathleen708(at)hotmail(dot)com with “Hall of Fame” as the subject in the e-mail. Microsoft Word documents and jpg photo files are preferred.
The annual Hall of Fame induction will take place June 12 in Carlinville as part of the association’s “We Are Family” Motor Tour. The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum is in Pontiac. Here’s a list of current Hall of Fame members.
DEAR ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS, HALL OF FAME COMMITTIEE:
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER, MR. ROBERT WALDMIRE FOR THIS HONOR.
I THINK BOB’S CONTRIBUTION SPEEKS FOR BOB”S LOVE FOR THE ROAD, ROUTE 66.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
TOM WANKO / T.A.W. PROMOTIONS
I agree with you, Tom. However, Bob’s contribution to the road mostly occurred after that 1926-77 criteria and therefore he wouldn’t be eligible — unless the association makes a change in the rules.
This criteria came about at the behest of association co-founder Tom Teague a few years ago. I disagreed with it at the time, and I disagree with it now. The criteria leaves out people who made vast contributions to Route 66 after its decertification.
I will also second that consideration. I have just spent a little time reviewing his Route 66 artwork. He has been very instrumental in preserving the Road.