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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
- Pontiac, Illinois - Route 66 Museum and Hall of Fame
Artifacts of Hall of Fame Members. See the Team PR ILSUM Solar Car. Route 66 Farm Arch. Travel the highway by visiting Route 66 towns on our flip-rack library.
[J. Heinrich, 02/26/2006] This was a State Police Headquarters, built in 1941, that closed in 2003. It has a historical marker and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to the marker, the architect allegedly designed the building in the shape of a Derringer pistol as seen when viewed from above, and it showcases the Art Moderne style of architecture popular in the 1930s, with long linear lines, curved corners, and structural glass.
[Sue Freeman, 05/26/2022]Pistol-Shaped Building:- Address:
- 15551 Historic Hwy 66, Pontiac, IL
- Directions:
- On the west side of Old Route 66 about 1.5 miles south of Pontiac.
The Motor Police...are waiting out in front of the pistol-shaped building.
[Craig Grondfeldt, 08/04/2020]It's in use, outside of town.
[Rebecca Keeler, 08/27/2015]
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