Learning to use our calendar puts the fun and adventure of Route 66 at your fingertips. It's easy to discover the when, what and where of events along the road.
Watch Route 66 evolve into The Mother Road with maps and highway guides from 1917-1992 courtesty of the official 
Hall of Famer
Help Needed at the Streetcar
Submitted by Editor Gina on September 2, 2010 - 10:44pm.Our thanks to John Weiss for providing the following information:
Help is needed to scrape and sand the Streetcar (which was formerly on the property of the Riviera Roadhouse in Gardner, IL, which burned down in February) to prepare it for painting. We would like to do this messy job where it is stored before it gets moved onto it's new home base by the two cell jail. The concrete has been poured already.
We will be doing this project on Wednesday September 8, 2010 at 9:00 AM. We need all the help we can get!
We will meet at the corner of Route 66 (Rt. 53) and where you turn to go into Gardner when you are Southbound.
A Year of Bob Waldmire Planned
Submitted by Editor Gina on August 17, 2010 - 11:52am.
The Route 66 Association of Illinois is proud to announce some exciting upcoming events in celebration of friend of the Mother Road, Bob Waldmire.
Three years ago, Pontiac, IL City Administrator, Bob Karls, commissioned artist Bob Waldmire to create a mural on the side of the Futures Building, next door to the Route 66 Association of Illinois Museum and Hall of Fame. Waldmire was at that time already suffering from the effects of the cancer that ultimately took his life but he bravely undertook the project. He sketched out a mural on paper that is, not surprisingly, 66 feet long in what he referred to as his last "all-nighter." The mural remains unfininshed and is officially considered Bob's last artwork.
More About the Waldmire Bus and Van
Submitted by Editor Gina on August 16, 2010 - 8:59pm.A few more details are coming in about the Bob Waldmire bus and van that will soon be on display at our Museum and Hall of Fame located at 110 W. Howard Street in Pontiac, IL.
Play Route 66 Trivia!
Submitted by Editor Gina on August 12, 2010 - 3:53pm.Let's play Route 66 Trivia!
The question is:
Which Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame Attraction once sold guns?
Please leave your answer in the comments below.
The correct answer will be revealed in our next Day Tripper e-Announcement. Haven't subscribed? Well, lets's take care of that detail right here and now! All we need is your email address and first name:
Click to subscribe to our Day Tripper e-Announcement.
Thanks for playing Route 66 Trivia!
Our BIG News!
Submitted by Editor Gina on August 2, 2010 - 8:53pm.You’ve patiently waited for two weeks for us to announce our BIG Route 66 Association of Illinois news. Well, without further ado, here it is!
Through the efforts of a dedicated Route 66 Association of Illinois board member, some very special items will soon be on display at our Museum and Hall of Fame in Pontiac, IL.
What are these special items? And who is responsible for securing them for us to display?
Preserving the Memory of a Dedicated Preservationist
Submitted by Editor Gina on July 16, 2010 - 2:14pm.On July 3, 2010, the Preservation committee held a very special picinc at the Standard Oil Station in Odell, IL in honor of a very special lady, Lenore Weiss.
Lenore was a dear friend of Route 66 in general, our Association in particular and of many of our members. She passed away earlier this year and in her honor, the Preservation committee decided that a memorial to her dedication to Route 66 was in order.
After a tasty picnic lunch consisting of burgers, hot dogs and an assortment of side dishes and desserts contributed by the atendees, a brief ceremony was held. In Lenore's honor, a pear tree was planted on the property of this, our Association's flagship preservation project, the Odell Standard Oil Station. Lenore rolled up her sleeves along with the other preservationists to bring this treasure of the Mother Road back to its former glory. That's why this particular location for the picnic and dedication was so fitting to her memory.
Farewell to Watt Bros. Pharmacy
Submitted by Editor Gina on April 8, 2010 - 9:52am.Thanks to Josh Friedrich for providing the following information to us.
On March 12, 2010, 2001 Hall of Fame honoree Watt Bros. Pharmacy closed its doors on 900 North Grand Avenue (aka Route 66) in Springfield after 49 years. They will be merging with The Medicine Shoppe at 133 North Grand Avenue East. These two businesses are the last two independant pharmacies in Springfield IL.
Click to read the complete article in the State Journal Register.
2010 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
Submitted by Editor Gina on April 6, 2010 - 1:52pm.The Route 66 Association of Illinois proudly announces our 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees.
Our Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those who have make significant contributions to Route 66 in Illinois.
The official Hall of Fame award banquet and ceremony will be held Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Best Western Carlinville Inn (I-55 and Route 108, Exit 60) Carlinville, Illinois 62626.
Our Hall of Fame banquet is held on the Saturday of our annual three-day Motor Tour. Tickets to the Hall of Fame banquet and the Motor Tour can be purchased separately.
We Bid Farewell to a Dear Friend
Submitted by Editor Gina on February 22, 2010 - 10:05pm.Our Association has received the somber news that our dear friend - and a dear friend of Route 66 - Lenore Weiss, passed away this morning.
We received the following notification via Kathy Miller today which we now share:
This message is to inform all who knew and loved Lenore Weiss that she passed away on February 22, 2010. Her battle with cancer is now over.
Riviera Roadhouse Re-Opens this Weekend!
Submitted by Editor Gina on December 11, 2009 - 12:27pm.Breaking News!
Our thanks to Kathy Miller for the following announcement...
The Riviera Roadhouse in Gardner, IL will reopen for business this weekend (December 12 and 13, 2009). Everyone's favorite waitress Becky who has been serving you for 26 years will be on staff. Managing and cooking the Riviera is the same cook for the last 29 years.
They will be open New Year's Ever serving thier famous BBQ Ribs, make your reservation soon!
We welcome your Route 66 news, stories, photos and events for publication in our newsletter or on our web site!
