Downtown Bloomington, Illinois, by sometime next year will have an interactive parklet that commemorates the city's ties to Route 66. City leaders dedicated and previewed the parklet that's scheduled to be finished by early summer 2022, according to a report by WMBD/WYZZ. Here's the station's video report: A parklet is a sidewalk extension, usually in parking lanes, … Continue reading Forthcoming parklet in downtown Bloomington will pay tribute to Route 66
Tag: Bloomington
Century-old passenger rail car will be converted into a diner on Route 66
A 110-year-old passenger rail car is being moved to Bloomington, Illinois, so it can be converted into a diner on Route 66. The decaying Illinois Terminal rail car once sat for more than 30 years at a former depot in Harristown, Illinois, west of Decatur. David Parker of Bloomington was forced to cut the rail … Continue reading Century-old passenger rail car will be converted into a diner on Route 66
Quinn’s Shell station in Bloomington likely will be torn down soon
The closed Quinn's Shell gas station in Bloomington, Illinois, that was owned by an Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame member likely will face the wrecking ball in the coming weeks. According to Pantagraph columnist Bill Flick, the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission will meet this week to review a demolition permit of Quinn’s Shell at … Continue reading Quinn’s Shell station in Bloomington likely will be torn down soon
Barb Adkins, manager of Route 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, dies at 61
Barb Adkins, a former deputy city manager and civil rights crusader who managed the Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 visitors center in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, after her retirement, died Saturday. She was 61. Adkins was there when the visitors center opened in 2015 and had 300 visitors in its first three hours: "We're very pleased," … Continue reading Barb Adkins, manager of Route 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, dies at 61
“Negro Motorist Green Book” expert to speak at Miles of Possibility conference
Candacy Taylor, author of a forthcoming book about the Negro Motorist Green Book published from the 1930s to the '60s, will be the keynote speaker during the fifth annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference in Normal, Illinois, on Oct. 17-20. Taylor soon will publish "Overground Railroad: The Green Book and theRoots of Black Travel … Continue reading “Negro Motorist Green Book” expert to speak at Miles of Possibility conference
Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington to reopen Wednesday
The Parkview Inn, which was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 2016, will reopen Wednesday morning at its old Route 66 location in Bloomington, Illinois. The reopening date, set last week, will occur in spite of a vandal who smashed a plate-glass window at the venerable restaurant over the weekend. The restaurant is insured for … Continue reading Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington to reopen Wednesday
Route 66 Experience Hub unveiled in downtown Bloomington
Local officials on Monday unveiled a 9-foot-tall Route 66 Experience Hub at Main and Jefferson streets in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, in an effort to boost tourism there. The interactive kiosk is designed to help point out to visitors Route 66 attractions in the city and region, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph: The hub — the 14th experience … Continue reading Route 66 Experience Hub unveiled in downtown Bloomington
Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington should reopen this month
The Parkview Inn restaurant, which is being rebuilt after a devastating fire in 2016, should reopen at its old site in Bloomington, Illinois, later this month. According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, the fire caused $300,000 worth of damage. But owner Rick McCormick decided to tear down what little was left and start over. The new … Continue reading Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington should reopen this month
New marker tells of Bloomington park’s segregation era
Local and city officials in Bloomington, Illinois, this week dedicated a new marker that described the racial segregation that once took place in Miller Park's beaches. WJBC reports: At Miller Park, the historical marker acknowledges there were segregated beaches there during the first half of the 20th Century and beyond. The beach for people of … Continue reading New marker tells of Bloomington park’s segregation era
Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington may reopen by November
The historic Parkview Inn restaurant in Bloomington, Illinois, destroyed by fire two years ago, may be rebuilt and reopened by early November. The Bloomington Pantagraph reported last week: The restaurant was a mainstay along old Route 66 since 1928, but a fire in October 2016 burned the original structure beyond repair. [...] "We're hoping to open by … Continue reading Rebuilt Parkview Inn in Bloomington may reopen by November