An early birthday party for Route 66 will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. April 21 at the historic Ambler-Becker Texaco station in Dwight, Illinois.
Although Route 66 doesn’t officially turn 90 until Nov. 11, this no doubt will be one of many events marking that anniversary throughout the year.
According to a news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway:
Refreshments, prizes, surprises and volunteer sign-up opportunities will be a part of the birthday celebration, which will kickoff with opening remarks from Dwight Village President Jared Anderson.
Expect to see classic cars on display, as well as a few of our four-legged friends – namely Basset Hounds. One lucky dog will be named the Route 66 “Ambassetor” at the April 21st event – a new tradition we hope to continue every year in Dwight.
The dogs are a fixture at Dwight’s annual Harvest Days and Basset Waddle, which will be held from September 15-18 this year.
The station is at 417 W, Waupansie St. (aka Route 66) in Dwight.
The Ambler-Becker Texaco station was built on Route 66 in 1933. It gets part of its name from Basil “Tubby” Ambler, who operated it from 1938 to 1966. Longtime owner Philip Becker continued to run as a gas station until 1999 and as a repair shop until 2002, when he donated it to the city. After renovations, it reopened as a Route 66 visitors center in 2007.
Here’s a video about the station, with an interview with Becker:
It was listed on the National Register of HIstoric Places in 2001.
(Image of the Ambler-Becker Texaco station via Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway)
Looks like fun! Especially with a lot full of Pontiacs. I wonder if that was done with help from the Pontiac museum (POMARC)?