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
Tag: Springfield IL
Sonrise Donuts signs in Springfield come down, will be restored
The historic Sonrise Donuts signs that sat atop a building along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, for 70 years were removed from their perch Monday. But don't worry. The neon signs won't be going to the metal-shredding facility. The city of Springfield, which purchased the signs for $22,000 during an online auction in December, eventually … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts signs in Springfield come down, will be restored
Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism
The city of Springfield, Illinois, announced in the wake of its recent purchase of the Sonrise Donuts neon signs it is developing a larger tourism plan to draw more Route 66 travelers in the coming years. With an eye on Route 66's centennial in 2026, Springfield wants to develop a "hub" of Route 66 attractions into … Continue reading Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism
City of Springfield buys both sides of Sonrise Donuts sign
The city of Springfield, Illinois, revealed itself Friday as the new owner of the historic Sonrise Donuts neon signs along Route 66 in Springfield that recently went up for auction. The even-better news is Ace Sign Co. of Springfield will restore one side of the sign at no cost, and a restoration fund was set … Continue reading City of Springfield buys both sides of Sonrise Donuts sign
Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield being auctioned
The nearly 70-year-old Sonrise Donuts neon sign along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, will be auctioned by tonight after the building's non-doughnuts tenant said he no longer wanted it there. The online auctions -- separately for both halves of the rooftop sign -- will end today at 7 p.m. Central. If you're interested, you can … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield being auctioned
Tourism center opens in building that houses Lincoln law office
The tourism bureau of Springfield, Illinois, recently opened a welcome center in a downtown building that once contained Abraham Lincoln's law office. The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices historic site inside the 1840 three-story Tinsley dry-goods building was closed a few years ago for a $1 million renovation, but a state budget impasse kept the structure from … Continue reading Tourism center opens in building that houses Lincoln law office
Historic Dew Chilli Parlor site in Springfield is closing
The historic Dew Chilli Parlor site a short distance from Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, closed Friday because of traffic and parking issues. Two other Dew Chili sites -- including one on old Route 66 -- remain open in the city. The site at 1216 S. Fifth St. had operated there since 1954. Other Dew … Continue reading Historic Dew Chilli Parlor site in Springfield is closing
Art’s Motel sign in Farmersville taken down
The neon sign for the apparently closed Art's Motel in Farmersville, Illinois, recently was dismantled but preserved by a sign company and a historic-themed bar, both in nearby Springfield. For now, Art's Motel & Restaurant faces an uncertain future. The listed phone numbers for the motel were disconnected. A Yelp listing for the motel states … Continue reading Art’s Motel sign in Farmersville taken down
Kearney Street project in Springfield being watched closely
A plan to declare the Kearney Street corridor in Springfield, Missouri, as a blighted area and redevelop it using tax breaks and low-interest loans is attracting a lot of attention from retailers, bankers and bankers. Kearney Street remains a prominent Route 66 alignment once known as a car-cruising Mecca during the 1970s and ’80s -- … Continue reading Kearney Street project in Springfield being watched closely
Route 66 Motorheads bar offered sales-tax rebate for being annexed
Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum may receive up to a $25,000 sales-tax rebate in exchange for being annexed into the city of Springfield, Illinois. The bar part of the business, which opened Friday, will open its restaurant next month. Route 66 Motorheads sits at 600 Toronto Road and would use the rebate money to … Continue reading Route 66 Motorheads bar offered sales-tax rebate for being annexed