The Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, Illinois, is rapidly approaching the first anniversary of its opening and reports more than 16,000 visitors since that time.
The Bloomington-Normal region decided to build the Route 66-themed part of McLean County Museum of History because Route 66 tourists were bypassing the Twin Cities. More Route 66ers now are staying overnight in Bloomington-Normal and eating in its restaurants.
The Bloomington Pantagraph reports:
Since it opened April 25, 2015, more than 16,000 people have visited the center. Of the 3,211 people who signed the guest registry, 311 were international, 933 were from out of state, 892 were not from McLean County and 1,075 were local residents. […]
An Illinois Wesleyan University study conducted last fall showed in just its first four months, the visitors center generated $332,090 to $445,050 in visitor spending locally. That dollar figure is much higher today, said Woodard. […]
Surveys filled out by 210 visitors said 72 percent also wanted to go to restaurants in downtown Bloomington. The visitors said they also wanted to visit theaters, parks, music venues, art galleries, Miller Park Zoo and other Route 66 sites.
Officials in Bloomington-Normal area once acknowledged they were slow to embrace Route 66 tourism. But once they did, they went full-tilt.
A number of towns on Route 66 not only are touting their Mother Road heritage, but competing against other towns for tourism dollars. The Route 66 Economic Impact Study released in 2012 — and its reported $127 million in annual spending along the road — made a profound effect on municipal officials who read it. Nearby Illinois towns such as Atlanta and Pontiac have seen big increases in sales-tax revenue because of a surge of Route 66 tourism.
(Image of the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center logo)
Lincoln is not a caricature. I find this logo totally disrespectful!
Sorry Judith, but I find this logo to be really neat and DIFFERENT!!! How can I get 5 or 6, 1 to put on my 2005 Chevrolet Super Sport Roadster plus 3 or 4 for my friends Classic Cars. They will love them. I grew up on Route 66 near Pawnee and come back every year for the Mother Road Festival in late September. This is another new place to visit. Have Stickers, Will Travel. Thank you. Bob Murfreesboro, TN
The logo reflects the mission of the center, which is to share with the 66 traveler that, as they drive though central Illinois, this is where Abraham Lincoln practiced law and started his bid for the Presidency. The center has a great video of Lincoln leading you though historic downtown Bloomington, and showing you the places there which are part of his story.