Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced $4 million in grants for various projects along Route 66, including a visitors center in a former Edwardsville gas station, reopening the old Cannonball Jail in Carlinville and a new Muffler Man on a restaurant in Berwyn. According to Riverbender.com and … Continue reading Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66

Mother Jones historical marker unveiled at Coalfield rest area in Illinois

Officials recently unveiled a historical marker dedicated to union activist Mother Jones at the Coalfield rest area along Interstate 55 in Illinois, not far from where she is buried. According to the Macoupin County-Carlinville Inquirer-Democrat: The large, 4×4-foot marker was placed in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation and is paired with an indoor … Continue reading Mother Jones historical marker unveiled at Coalfield rest area in Illinois

Virden History Mural deemed irreparable, will be repainted instead

Residents of Virden, Illinois, had hoped last year to restore the deteriorating Virden History Mural along Route 66. However, the mural was deemed unsalvageable, and it will be repainted from scratch with a whole new design. Here is a preliminary artist's rendering of the soon-to-come mural: The husband-and-wife team of  Bernie Gietl and D.L. Whitlock-Gietl of … Continue reading Virden History Mural deemed irreparable, will be repainted instead

Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural

A group of concerned residents seeks to restore the Virden History Mural in Virden, Illinois, on Route 66 that depicts the town's transportation history. City officials dedicated the 52-by-19-foot mural by Greenville College professor John Hubbell in 2004. But it's encountered hard times recently, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Illinois weather has been hard on the mural, said Suzanne Gray, … Continue reading Townsfolk seek to restore Virden History Mural