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More than a 100th birthday

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  Recognition of Route 66, by necessity, will need to go beyond celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, Casey Claypool is trying to get across. As executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Claypool has seen that travelers of Route 66 are older. There is a need for younger people to get excited about traveling the route. “We need to educate these kids on what Route 66 is,” Claypool said during the Mid-Illinois Communications Association’s “Lunch & Learn” event on Jan. 28, 2026, at The Horace Mann Companies, downtown Springfield, Illinois. “We need to show these kids the Gemini Giant (in Wilmington),” Claypool said. “We need to show them the big catsup bottle (in Collinsville) so they can go home and tell their parents, ‘Hey, we want to go see that.’ ” What will help with that? Simon the Sputnik will be launched in schools along Route 66 later in 2026. More on that here .  
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Old-school antiques, diner on Route 66

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  People frequent the site of the former Livingston Community Consolidated High School in Livingston, Illinois, not for study but for shopping. The old high school is now The Pink Elephant Antique Mall on Historic Route 66. It has “antique furniture, jewelry, collectibles, glassware, memorabilia, candles, home goods and home décor.” Plus, there are two retro shops – The Twistee Treat Diner and The Mother Road Fudge Factory. During a particular holiday, the fudge factory made fudge with sprinkles and ghost peppers!   Fun. Hot! More information is here .  
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Don’t bring that here

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    Don’t bring outside food or drink to the Old Log Cabin Restaurant & Spirits in Pontiac, Illinois .   A sign on the eatery’s door asks you kindly not to do that.   There’s no need “to do that.”   For 100 years the log-style roadhouse café has served homestyle meals for travelers on Route 66.   Try the Turkey Bacon Swiss Melt with a cup of chili.   Delicious!!!!!   Try the homemade poppy seed salad dressing.   What?!!!!!   After you leave the restaurant, content and full, there’s The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame & Museum to explore.   More is available here .
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Ra66its, cars no more

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  People taking road trips on Old Route 66 can see remnants of bygone days in Staunton, Illinois. A couple of attractions on Route 66 are closed in Staunton, Illinois. Shuttered: Henry’s Ra66it Ranch at 1107 Historic Old Route 66 and Country Classic Cars on Old Route 66 at 2149 E. Frontage Road by I-55. The places are abandoned but not forgotten. See why here .
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A neon arrow points to more on Route 66

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  The Lexington Neon Arrow Sign, Route 66 Memory Lane and the American Standard elephant are all attractions on Route 66 in Lexington, Illinois. Chenoa, Illinois, has Route 66 Fetch & Stretch Dog Park. It’s at the dog park where you can learn more about the dogs Rosie and Fido. Ulysses S. Grant loved Rosie. Abraham Lincoln loved Fido. There’s more about that here .  
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Historic pairing on Route 66

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  Route 66 traveled near Mount Olive, Illinois, a couple of times. Route 66 went through Mount Olive from 1930-40.   Route 66 ran around Mount Olive to the north from 1940-77. Today, there is “a key historic Route 66 pairing” – the Union Miners Cemetery that includes a monument for the labor activist known as “Mother” Mary Harris Jones and the inactive Soulsby’s Service – the oldest, most original service station along Route 66 not completely rebuilt. Want to learn more? Please click here .
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Death to life

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  Dead Man’s Curve on the original Route 66 constructed around Towanda, Illinois, in 1927 has an infamous past. Dead Man’s Curve was known for “its many accidents during the 1930s, 40s, and early 50s.” Several sad fatalities. Today, Dead Man’s Curve is an attraction. Today, another section of Route 66 has been maintained as the Towanda Route 66 Parkway, a walking/biking trail. More here .
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