A recent high-school graduate finished painting a big Route 66 mural in downtown Wilmington, Illinois, last week. Dylan Wallace, 18, put the finishing touches on the 18-foot-tall mural at 200 N. Water St. on Monday, according to Free Press Newspapers. "I wanted to paint it so that it looks like it's been up there for 100 … Continue reading New Route 66 mural painted in Wilmington
Tag: Wilmington
Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
The Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue next to Route 66 -- failed to sell during an auction Saturday because the reserve wasn't met. The Will County News reported Tina and Joel Brownlee of Wilmington, who submitted the high bid of $177,500, will negotiate with auctioneer … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
Gemini Giant, Launching Pad restaurant to be auctioned
The future of the Gemini Giant on Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois, is a lot cloudier after it was announced it and its restaurant will be sold at auction in April. James Bednar of Bednar Auction Service told the Kankakee Daily Journal the unique, 30-foot-tall fiberglass giant and the long-closed Launching Pad restaurant will be sold in one … Continue reading Gemini Giant, Launching Pad restaurant to be auctioned
Bison reintroduced to Midewin Prairie
Nearly 30 head of native bison were reintroduced this week to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie along Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois -- the first time buffalo have roamed in that area in nearly two centuries. Bison were exterminated by the 1830s in northern Illinois, and the animals were hunted to near-extinction in the United … Continue reading Bison reintroduced to Midewin Prairie
Military museum may come to Wilmington
Ohio native R. Fred Rolsten has amassed a sizable collection of military memorabilia from World War I, World War II and other eras that may end up on Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois, reported Shaw Media. A search for a permanent location for his collection of artifacts from World War I, World War II and … Continue reading Military museum may come to Wilmington
Route 66 Sodas owner Scott Cameron dies
Scott Cameron, 76, president and CEO of Route 66 Sodas in Lebanon, Missouri, who is best-known as a longtime manager of blues legend Muddy Waters and executor of his estate, died Thursday, according to a couple of roadies who knew him. Cameron also was a partner with Mr. C's Routepost in Lebanon, a large souvenir shop right … Continue reading Route 66 Sodas owner Scott Cameron dies
Suburban Chicago county approves Route 66 marketing plan
The board of Will County, Ill., recently approved a new marketing plan for a long-overlooked section of Route 66 from Joliet to Braidwood, reported the Southtown Star. The newspaper said: There is an “untapped tourism potential” here, and tying all these natural, recreational and historical amenities together is historic Route 66, said project consultant Ferhat … Continue reading Suburban Chicago county approves Route 66 marketing plan
Proposed freeway may affect Route 66, landmarks
A proposed Illiana Expressway that will connect Interstate 55 to Interstate 65 near Gary, Ind., may affect Route 66 and other historic landmarks in Wilmington, Ill., reported The Herald-News of Joliet, Ill. Virginia Ferry, chairwoman of the Will County Historic Preservation Commission, told the newspaper she is determined to mitigate those effects. “I know we … Continue reading Proposed freeway may affect Route 66, landmarks