The Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield will receive a $500,000 grant to help add to the exhibit, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Old Joliet Prison in Joliet also will receive $250,000 from the same program for exterior illumination of the … Continue reading Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fair gets $500,000 grant; Old Joliet prison gets $250,000
Tag: Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway
Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard, formerly Doc’s Soda Fountain, opens to the public
Doc's Just Off 66, formerly Doc's Soda Fountain in downtown Girard, Illinois, opened to the public a few days ago after an ownership change, extensive remodeling and forming new menus. The owners held a "super" soft opening on Saturday, then posted their menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and soda-fountain treats on Facebook shortly after … Continue reading Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard, formerly Doc’s Soda Fountain, opens to the public
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway soon will publish a special-edition magazine
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway recently announced it was about to publish its first-ever magazine, Illinois Route 66 Special Edition. The byway also will publish a 2022 Illinois Route 66 Visitor Guide. The cover of the magazine, as you can see above, features the Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway soon will publish a special-edition magazine
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $4,000 in grants for varying projects
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week announced it awarded a total of $4,000 in grants to four byway members, including one that has created the Largest Tire on Route 66. It is the second round of grant awards from the byway. According to a news release: Byway Project Funds are to support events, … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $4,000 in grants for varying projects
Doc’s Soda Fountain in Girard lands new owners
The 130-year-old Doc's Soda Fountain site in downtown Girard, Illinois, has landed new owners, and one of them has ties to the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. Steve and Casey Claypool of nearby Chatham, Illinois, closed on the purchase Friday. They plan to reopen it sometime in April after some interior renovations. Casey also is … Continue reading Doc’s Soda Fountain in Girard lands new owners
U.S. House committee holds hearing on Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) testified Wednesday before a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing about his proposed Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act. LaHood was joined by Casey Claypool, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, who also testified in support of the bill, which is H.R. 3600. The bill, introduced in … Continue reading U.S. House committee holds hearing on Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
Illinois Route 66 Byway launching its second round of grants to members
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week began a launch of requests for the next round of funds to businesses and communities along Illinois Route 66 ranging from $500 to $1,000 to byway members. Funds are available only to byway members; one can join the byway at illinoisroute66.org/membership. Applications will be accepted through the … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Byway launching its second round of grants to members
Route 66 Monarch Flyway in Illinois aims to help butterflies
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and Illinois Department of Transportation have partnered to create a 66-mile-wide Route 66 Monarch Flyway to help monarch butterflies. WTTW, a PBS affiliate detailed the program: What the roadway can do for the butterfly is simple: Route 66 in Illinois happens to follow the natural migratory path of the … Continue reading Route 66 Monarch Flyway in Illinois aims to help butterflies
First phase of Illinois Route 66 Experience coming next month to Illinois State Fair
One of the entrance gates of the Illinois State Fair will be the site of the first phase of the Illinois Route 66 Experience when the fair begins on Aug. 12. The attraction will be at Gate 2, which is at the corner of Sangamon Avenue and Ninth Street in Springfield. According to a news … Continue reading First phase of Illinois Route 66 Experience coming next month to Illinois State Fair
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $5,000 in grants to various projects
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announced Thursday it has awarded grants totaling $5,000 to byway members for various projects. These are the grant awardees: Sky View Drive-In theater in Litchfield, Illinois: $1,000 to help repaint its screen;Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois: $1,000 to build a series of informative and interpretative banners and signage … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $5,000 in grants to various projects