Here we proudly share the growing list of those who through the years have made Route 66 in Illinois the place we know, cherish and vow to preserve.
Learn more about our Hall of Fame nomination process.
Inducted June 9, 1990
Ernie Edwards, Pig Hip Restaurant, Broadwell, IL
John Geske and J.P. Walters, Dixie Truckers Home, McLean, IL
Francis Marten, Our Lady of the Highways Shrine, Raymond, IL
Francis Mowery, Illinois State Police, Pontiac, IL
Russel Soulsby Shell Service Station, Mt. Olive, IL
Inducted June 8, 1991
Mertha Paulsen Jensen, Paulsen (Carefree) Motel, Dwight, IL
M.F. “Cotton” McNabney, Cotton’s Village Inn, Bloomington, IL
Ed Waldmire Family, The Cozy Dog Drive-In, Springfield, IL
Inducted June 13, 1992
Ariston Cafe and the Adam Family, Litchfield, IL
Steve and Glaida Funk, Funk’s Grove, IL
Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, Willowbrook, IL
John Stonecipher, Stoney’s Service, Odell, IL
Inducted June 12, 1993
Chester D. Henry, Illinois State Police, Pontiac, IL
Ervin Kolarik, Del Rhea’s Chicken Basket Restaurant, Willowbrook, IL
Effie Marx, Waitress, Dwight, IL
Bill Shea, Shea’s Finest Truck Covers, Springfield, IL
Inducted June 11, 1994
Hubert Henry, Truck Driver, St. Louis, MO
Rodino Square and the Carmen Rodino Family, Pontiac, IL
The Riviera, Roadhouse and Restaurant, near Gardner, IL
Inducted June 10, 1995
Grace Brown, Larry and Debbie Lucas and Howard E. and MariAna McAnarney, Art’s Restaurant, Farmersville, IL
The Benedict Family, Chuck and Delmar Benedict and Eleanor Benedict Roberts, McLean, IL
H. Burt Parkinson, Editor, Gardner, IL
G.J. Mecherle, State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, IL
Inducted June 8, 1996
The Old Log Cabin Restaurnt, Pontiac, IL; Marjorie O’Brien, Brad and Debbie Trainer
Eddie’s Pure Truck Stop/Eddie’s Union 76 Truck Stop, Towanda, IL, Edward and Marjorie Baize
Wilton C. Rinkel, Farmer, Edwardsville, IL
Irvin Brothers, Inc., Bloomington, IL, Maurice Irvin
Inducted June 7, 1997
Rev. Dean “Shug” Benton, Truck Driver, Bloomington, IL
Albert Cassens Family and The Cassens Transport Co., Edwardsville, IL
Ralph M. Hay and Frank Hay, Hay Brothers Garage, Divernon, IL
J. Richard Jones, Dick Jones Garage, Odell, IL
Inducted June 13, 1998
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, Mitchell, IL
Arline and Elmo Winterland and the Oasis Drive-In, Lexington, IL
Sky View Drive-In, Litchfield, IL
White Fence Farm and the Hastert Family, Romeoville, IL
Inducted June 12, 1999
Casey’s Garden Shop, Bloomington, IL
FitzHenry Oil Company, Joliet, IL
Robert D. (Bob) Johnson and Brandtville Restaurant, Bloomington, IL
Rialto Square Theater, Joliet, IL
Inducted June 10, 2000
Agusta “Gussie” Keller, Pontiac, IL
Joe Edwards, Gas Station Owner, Lincoln, IL
The Launching Pad Drive-In, Wilmington, IL
District 6, Illinois State Police Headquarters, Pontiac, IL
Inducted June 9, 2001
Coliseum Ballroom, Benld, IL
DeCamp Junction Tavern, near Staunton, IL
Standard Oil Gasoline Station, Odell, IL
Watt Brothers Pharmacies, Springfield, IL
Inducted June 8, 2002
Gordon Gunderson, Gardner, IL
Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant, Chicago, IL
Polk-a-Dot Drive In Restaurant, Braidwood, IL
Schlechte Family Service Station/Worden Y Club Restaurant, Worden, IL
Shea Family, Springfield, IL
John and Lenore Weiss, Wilmington, IL
Inducted June 7, 2003
Fassero Family, Benld, IL
Andy Granatelli, Montecito, CA
Union Miners Cemetery, Mount Olive, IL
Wishing Well Motel, LaGrange, IL
Inducted June 5, 2004
Rita Erikson, Odell, IL
Gray Family, Braceville, IL
Luna Cafe, Mitchell, IL
Streetcar/Diner, Gardner, IL
Inducted June 11, 2005
Aggelopoulous Family, Wilmington, IL
Ambler, Becker Families Texaco, Dwight, IL
Atlanta Public Library, Atlanta, IL
Chenoa Pharmacy, Chenoa, IL
Inducted June 10, 2006
Willie Anderson Trucking, Lexington, IL
Berghoff Restaurant, Chicago, IL
Scotty’s Restaurant, Hamel, IL
Leland Storm, Hamel, IL
Inducted June 9, 2007
Brown’s Wrecker Service, Bloomington, IL
Joy Henderson, Pontiac, IL
Roger “Sodie” and Shirley Soderstrom, Bloomington, IL
The Curve Inn, Springfield, IL
Inducted June 7, 2008
Brook’s Catsup Bottle, Collinsville, IL
Leroy and Pauline Curtiss, Pontiac, IL
Frank T. Sheets, Illinois Chief Engineer, 1920-1932
Inducted June 13, 2009
The Crossroads Diner, Mt. Olive, IL
The Mill on Route 66, Lincoln, IL
Sprague’s Super Service, Normal, IL
Stateville Prison, Crest Hill, IL
Inducted June 12, 2010
817 Hillsboro, Edwardsville – The Deck Brothers, Girard, IL
Lewis “Zoo” Barrick, Lincoln, IL – Snuffy’s Grill, McCook, IL
Inducted June 11, 2011
Boyd’s Place, Odell, IL
Leo Bornder, Lexington, IL
Inducted June 9, 2012
Samuel L. Reichert, Sr., U.S. Route 66 Service Station Operator (1950-1970) Plainfield, IL, IL
Quinn Service Station / Quinn Family / Elmo A., Eldon A., Elmo C. and Eula Quinn, Bloomington, IL
Roger Gray, Gray’s Garage, Inc., Pontiac, IL
Henry’s Ra66it Ranch, Staunton, IL
Inducted June 8, 2013
The Palms Grill Cafe, Atlanta, IL
George B. Cathcart, Cathcart’s Café, Edwardsville, IL
Wilbur Fawns Sr. Family, Service Stations, Williamsville, IL and Sherman, IL
Inducted June 14, 2014
Nelch & Son Concrete – Springfield, IL
Postville Courthouse – Postville, IL
Hi-Way Café and Tavern – Edwardsville, IL
Inducted June 13, 2015
Steve’s Café, Chenoa, IL
The Tropics Restaurant and Lounge, Lincoln, IL
Inducted June 11, 2016
8408 West Joliet Road, McCook, IL
Clay Dooley – Bloomington, IL
Inducted June 10, 2017
Jubelt’s Bakery & Restaurant, Litchfield, IL
Patrick “Pat” McElroy, Operator, Pat’s Standard Service, Dwight, IL
Cozy Inn – Mario’s Pizza – Julie & Jerry Causer, Pontiac, IL
Tom Teague Ambassador’s Award
The Illinois Route 66 Association Tom Teague Ambassador Award is a program administered by Hall of Fame Committee of the Route 66 Association of Illinois. Its purpose is to honor and commemorate the exceptional person or persons who have excelled in the education, promotion and restoration of Route 66 in Illinois since the decommissioning in 1977.
To qualify for election to the Tom Teague Ambassador Award nominees must have made significant contributions to Illinois Route 66 through:
A. extensive work in exposing the general public to the story of Route 66 in Illinois using lectures, presentations, photo exhibits video or recorded programs, and
B. Authorship of a published book on Route 66 in Illinois and/or the entire Route, and
C. Recipient of one of the National Route 66 Awards.
Committee Members may elect a new Illinois Route 66 Association Tom Teague Ambassador Award recipient during the annual Hall of Fame Committee meetings. This award is not anticipated to be an annual award. It is reserved for the truly exceptional individual who has provided outstanding benefits to the Route 66 Association of Illinois for an extended period of years.
Recipients of The Route 66 Association of Illinois Tom Teague Ambassador’s Award:
Tom Teague – June 11, 2005
Durelle and Marilyn Pritchard – June 10, 2006
Lenore & John Weiss – June 13, 2009
