A historic preservation group based in the Route 66 town of McLean, Illinois, announced it has assumed ownership of the village's historic water tower after saving it from the wrecking ball. CORE of McLean stated on a Facebook post last week it officially took ownership of the water tower on Sept. 10. The organization stated … Continue reading CORE of McLean officially takes possession of village’s historic water tower
Tag: McLean IL
Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Community group buys McLean’s historic water tower for $1, will repaint it
A nonprofit community group has purchased the endangered and historic water tower of McLean, Illinois, for $1. It will repaint the structure and hire an artist to paint a mural on it. The purchase reverses a 4-2 vote by the village board in November to tear the water tower down for almost $34,000. The village … Continue reading Community group buys McLean’s historic water tower for $1, will repaint it
McLean Village Board votes to tear down water tower despite pleas from preservationists
The village board of McLean, Illinois, voted 4-2 last week to tear down its historic water tower, despite pleas from preservationists that included members of the Illinois Route 66 Association. The old water tower was built in 1935. It was decommissioned in 2017 after a new water tower was built. Those who voted for the … Continue reading McLean Village Board votes to tear down water tower despite pleas from preservationists
County approves engineering agreement for a segment of Route 66 bike trail near Funks Grove
The McLean County, Illinois, board recently approved an engineering contract to build a 4.5-mile addition to a Route 66 bicycling trail south of Funks Grove. According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, the county was chosen to receive state funds for the Route 66 bike trail starting in McLean and ending at an existing trail near Funks Grove. … Continue reading County approves engineering agreement for a segment of Route 66 bike trail near Funks Grove
Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot
It's a business, but the McLean Depot Train Shop, housed in the former rail depot in McLean, Illinois, also serves as a passion for model train enthusiasts. The Pantagraph newspaper in nearby Bloomington recently published a feature about the train shop and the people who keep it going. Tom Ludlam owns the shop along Route … Continue reading Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot
Grandchildren of Dixie Truckers Home founders pay a visit
Two grandchildren of the couple that founded the Dixie Truckers Home in McLean, Illinois, recently paid a visit to the site for the first time in years. Steve Jordan and Cathy Greeneberg, descendants of the Route 66 truck stop's original owners John and Viola Geske, sat down with a crew from WMBD-TV at what now … Continue reading Grandchildren of Dixie Truckers Home founders pay a visit
A look back at the Round Barn, Ted Drewes and Dixie Truckers Home
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded several more videos from his Route 66 trips during the 1990s in a 1959 Cadillac. Reichardt's videos often hold historical value, as many are more than a quarter-century old. It's interesting to see how the Mother Road has changed. His YouTube channel of 60 videos is here. The first video compiles five … Continue reading A look back at the Round Barn, Ted Drewes and Dixie Truckers Home
Retro arcade opens in Williams
If you live in the western half of the United States and have an urge an old-school video game such as Galaxia, you're in luck -- an arcade that specializes in retro games has opened along Route 66 in Williams, Arizona. Andrew Hughes and Maxwell Williams opened D-Pad Retro Gaming at 117 W. Route 66, … Continue reading Retro arcade opens in Williams