Town Plans Largest Route 66 Mural
Pontiac, Illinois, plans to put itself on the map with a Route 66 mural. At 25 feet tall, according to some experts, it will be the largest Route 66 in the world (although we know of ones that are longer).
The city anticipates spending a couple of thousand dollars to paint the mural. It will cover the south side of an old downtown firehouse that was converted, in 2003, into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum. Pontiac has already funded over $10,000 in signs to steer visitors to it and other downtown attractions.
It is not yet known what the mural will look like. The cheaper proposal is for a simple, giant rendering of the black-and-white, shield-shaped Route 66 sign. A second, more expensive proposal, is for the sign with a banner reading "Pontiac, Illinois" below it, and a more elaborate, colored background.
Town officials may remove the three parking spaces next to the firehouse so that people can take pictures of their cars in front of the mural.
[01/21/2007]Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum
- Address:
- 110 W. Howard St., Pontiac, IL
- Directions:
- I-55 exit 197. Follow Hwy 116 about two miles east into town. Turn right onto Howard St. The museum is about one mile east, on the corner of Howard and Main Sts, on the south side, in an old firehouse. There may be a giant Route 66 sign painted on the south side of the building.
- Hours:
- Summer M-F 9 am - 5 pm, Sa-Su 10 am - 4 pm, fewer hours off-season. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 815-844-4566
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
