The Route 66 Drive-In theater in Springfield, Illinois, was supposed to open for the season Friday. However, with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, it will remain closed -- even for churches that want to hold services there. Adding church services to the ban on drive-in theater use is notable because in neighboring Missouri, the 66 Drive-In … Continue reading Route 66 Drive-In in Illinois won’t be allowed to open even for church services
Tag: Springfield IL
New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire
New art space at the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, will feature the works of late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire when it opens March 14. According to a news release from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the art space will feature Route 66 artwork on a rotating basis. The news release … Continue reading New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire
Route 66 display added to State of Illinois’ Stratton Office Building in Springfield
Officials on Tuesday unveiled a new Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway display during a ceremony at the State of Illinois' Stratton Office Building in Springfield. The display is just outside of the offices of state Reps. Tim Butler and Mike Murphy at the Wm. G. Stratton Building at 401 S. Spring St. in Springfield (map … Continue reading Route 66 display added to State of Illinois’ Stratton Office Building in Springfield
Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield glows to life for first time in decades
The long-dormant Sonrise Donuts sign that once stood along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, glowed to life Thursday for the first time in decades. Ace Sign Co. of Springfield restored the double-sided sign after the city purchased it in an online auction for $22,000 in December 2018. The signs sat on a rooftop at 1101 … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield glows to life for first time in decades
Springfield utility makes quick work of covering graffiti on Chatham Road Bridge
City Water, Light and Power crews of Springfield, Illinois, wasted little time in covering over graffiti on the Chatham Road Bridge that once carried Route 66. WICS-TV in Springfield posted a report this week about the vandalism: A viewer sent us the photos of the vandalism before CWLP was able to paint over it.Painted on the … Continue reading Springfield utility makes quick work of covering graffiti on Chatham Road Bridge
A closer look at the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield
WSEC-TV, a PBS affiliate in Springfield, Illinois, recently posted a video tour of Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield and talked with its enthusiastic owner, Ron Metzger. As you'll see from the 27-minute video, Metzger has collected all sorts of memorabilia from defunct Route 66 landmarks such as Shea's Gas Station Museum, … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield
How about a Horseshoe Trail in Illinois?
A person who wrote a letter to the editor to the weekly Illinois Times newspaper, based in Springfield, came up with an intriguing idea -- promoting restaurants that serve horseshoe sandwiches in the Land of Lincoln. A horseshoe sandwich in Springfield, Illinois. In case you haven't heard of a horseshoe, it consists of thick-sliced toasted … Continue reading How about a Horseshoe Trail in Illinois?
Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66
Business, county and city officials are seeking a better plan to market Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, after acknowledging other cities on the route "increased their game.” A lengthy story in the Springfield State Journal-Register states the city is trying to reposition itself to Route 66 travelers at the highway's centennial looms in 2026. According … Continue reading Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66
Original Dew Chilli parlor in Springfield to be auctioned
The original Dew Chilli location in Springfield, Illinois, will be auctioned online after the regional restaurant chain closed it last year. Aumann Auctions, which sold the Sonrise Donut neon signs in December, is overseeing the sale. Online bids are being accepted for the building, property and kitchen equipment through 7 p.m. Wednesday. Here's what the … Continue reading Original Dew Chilli parlor in Springfield to be auctioned
Route History store combines Route 66 souvenirs, local African-American history
The Route History store in Springfield, Illinois, held a soft opening Friday. It's a combination Route 66 souvenir store and a tribute to African-American history in the area. It sits at 737 E. Cook St. (map here) in the former Just Off Route 66 Sandwiches & Souvenirs building, about two blocks west of the Ninth … Continue reading Route History store combines Route 66 souvenirs, local African-American history