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Route 66 Association of Illinois

Where The Road Begins

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    • Meramec Barn Repaint – 2025
    • Pontiac Parking
    • President’s Letter – Spring 2025
    • Memory Lane Tree Removal
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      • Kathy Miller
      • Rich Henry
      • Joy Henderson
      • Durelle F. Pritchard
    • Samantha Brown’s Places to Love
      Route 66 in Illinois
    • The 66 News Archives
  • Centennial!
    • November 11, 1926
      US Highway 66 is Established.
    • Meramec Barn Repaint – 2025
    • US Route 66 Centennial Website Launches
    • 66 Centennial Series
    • Looking For Route 66 Stories

November Brings Two Timely Route 66 Anniversaries

Our Association

Thirty one years ago on November 9, 1989, a handful of spirited roadies/Route 66 enthusiasts made it official: They signed the paperwork to establish The Route 66 Association of Illinois as a non-profit organization with the State.

We were a small but enthusiastic group of 10, dedicated then, as we are now, to preserve, educate, promote and enjoy our segment of the Mother Road here in Illinois. At the time, we didn’t even have an official “home” to speak of. Meetings were held in Dwight, Illinois; our museum, such as it was, consisted of several displays at what was then the Dixie Truck Stop in Mclean, Illinois. And so the association continued, growing in membership year by year.

By 2003, we were outgrowing our modest accommodations at the Dixie. It was arranged with the town of Pontiac, IL to set up shop in their old fire station, which still today serves as our museum and hall of fame.

Read more about our association’s history.

Stop in for a visit in Pontiac, Illinois – our museum’s open every day!

The Mother Road

Photo via thewallbreakers.com

Route 66 had its official beginnings 94 years ago in 1926 when the Bureau of Public Roads launched the nation’s first Federal highway system. Like other highways in the system, the path of Route 66 was a cobbling together of existing local, State, and national roads. The highway quickly became a popular route, promoted as “the shortest, best and most scenic route from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles. 

And so it all began…

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Upcoming Events

Jul 18
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm CDT

Lincoln Third Fridays Downtown

Jul 20
10:00 am - 3:00 pm CDT

Route 66 Association of Illinois Summer Meeting – Romeoville

Jul 21
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT

Berwyn Cruise Nights 2025

Jul 25
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm CDT

Route 66 Cruisers Cruises

View Calendar

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Donations Fuel Our Mission!

Your donation to our Association helps support our efforts to preserve, promote, educate and enjoy Route 66 in Illinois. We are a volunteer organization and thank you for your generous donation toward maintaining our nostalgic slice of Americana. The Association is a 501(c)(3) for tax purposes.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Route 66 Association of Illinois, a 501(c)(3) charitible organization
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