Hall of Famer

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.

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.

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.

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!

Bob Waldmire's Last Art Show - Springfield, IL

Sunday, November 22, 2009

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Cozy Dog Drive In
2935 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL

"Come as you are. Leave different."

Our Lady of the Highways 50th Anniversary Celebration

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Our Lady of the Highways Shrine
West Frontage Road (Old Route 66)
Raymond, IL

2:30 PM Rosary
3:00 PM Mass
4:00 PM Rededication of the Shrine with a light meal to follow

Route 66 Association of Illinois member Emily Stork has created a Facebook page with information about the celebration. She invites everyone to attend this special event.

Click here to visit Emily's Facebook page detailing the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Our Lady of the Highways Shrine.

It is with a sense of great pride and thankfulness that we announce our Route 66 Association of Illinois 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees!

Here is the list of those people and places we honor this year for their contributions to the Mother Road:

The Crossroads Diner, Mt. Olive

Located along Historic Route 66 in the panhandle of Montgomery County, Illinois, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Highways has watched over travelers along the Mother Road and Interstate 55 since the late 1950's. While much of the pavement of Route 66 has been returned to the fields of rural Central Illinois, the Shrine remains as a testament to the weary traveler and Mother Mary's guidance and protection over the highway and her travelers.

The Carrara Marble Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes from Italy was originally constructed as a high school project. It is inscribed "Mary, Loving Mother of Jesus, Protect us on the Highway". Also along the road from this site is a trail of Burma Shave type signs of the Hail Mary.

Location

Ernie Edwards and his wife, Fran, owned and operated the Pig Hip Restaurant until 1994. Unfortunately, The Pig Hip burned down in 2007.

Location

Each year a new group of Route 66 Superstars are considered for induction into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame.

Nominations received after the submission deadline each year will be considered for induction next year, as will nominations reviewed this year but not chosen.

Nominate that special someone you know who has significantly contributed to the character and history of Route 66 in Illinois while it was an official US Highway between 1926 and 1977.

Please submit nominations and related documentation to:

Route 66 Association of Illinois
Attn: Hall of Fame Committee
110 Howard St.
Pontiac, Il 61764