Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference

Joel Baker, founder of the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, will be the keynote speaker during the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference at the historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois. The conference's theme, naturally, will be "Giants of Route 66." It will run from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. Baker is the nation’s … Continue reading Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference

The Mill Museum in Lincoln closing in 2020 due to coronavirus, needed repairs

The Mill Museum in Lincoln, Illinois, will remain closed for the rest of the 2020 tourism season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and needed repairs on the former Route 66 restaurant. The Logan County Tourism Bureau, which owns the facility, made the announcement Tuesday, according to The Courier in Lincoln. “Due to COVID-19 and the … Continue reading The Mill Museum in Lincoln closing in 2020 due to coronavirus, needed repairs

Logan County Tourism Bureau taking over ownership of The Mill

The Logan County Tourism Bureau announced in a news release it is beginning the process of taking over ownership of The Mill Museum along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois. The bureau put out this brief release Friday: At the January Logan County Tourism Bureau board meeting members voted to own and manage the Mill Museum … Continue reading Logan County Tourism Bureau taking over ownership of The Mill

Al Capone presentation on tap for The Mill’s 90th anniversary Saturday

David "Windy City Road Warrior" Clark will give a presentation about infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone and his links to Route 66 as part of The Mill Museum's 90th-anniversary celebration Saturday. David Clark in his Al Capone persona. Clark will give his "Al Capone and the Route 66 Connection" presentation from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. … Continue reading Al Capone presentation on tap for The Mill’s 90th anniversary Saturday

Volunteers replace broken blade at The Mill in Lincoln

A group of volunteers on Friday repaired the blade at The Mill Museum in Lincoln, Illinois, that broke off during high winds a few months ago. High winds in December snapped off one of the faux blades of the windmill structure of the former Route 66 restaurant. According to the National Weather Service, gusts of … Continue reading Volunteers replace broken blade at The Mill in Lincoln

Lincoln Route 66 sites featured in Chicago TV segment

The Loyola University of Chicago men's basketball team made an unlikely march to the NCAA Final Four and play in the semifinals Saturday at the San Antonio Alamodome. To mark the occasion, the big CBS affiliate in Chicago sent reporter Charlie De Mar and a cardboard cutout of Loyola's team chaplain and fan favorite, Sister … Continue reading Lincoln Route 66 sites featured in Chicago TV segment

The Mill in Lincoln reopens after 21-year hiatus

The Mill restaurant of Lincoln, Illinois, on Saturday reopened as local history museum, capping a decade-long effort to restore the dilapidated Route 66 landmark after it closed in 1996. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner was there to attend the ceremonial ribbon (thankfully, the ceremony was indoors, as virtually of Illinois was drenched by torrential rainstorms). Video … Continue reading The Mill in Lincoln reopens after 21-year hiatus

“Route 66 in Illinois”

The "Route 66 in Illinois" presentation by Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett -- who co-wrote a book by the same name -- during the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, contained a few tidbits of information even veteran roadies might not have known, such as: An explosion in 1942 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant … Continue reading “Route 66 in Illinois”

Annual Cruise-In at The Mill slated for Saturday

The annual Mill Car Cruise-In classic-car show will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the landmark but long-closed Route 66 restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois. The event also serves as a fundraiser in ongoing efforts to preserve The Mill. Geoff Ladd, former leader of Logan County Tourism, a Route 66 Heritage Foundation of … Continue reading Annual Cruise-In at The Mill slated for Saturday