Heritage Corridor Destinations and the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway are celebrating Route 66 communities along The First Hundred Miles of the Mother Road with new Route 66 Centennial road signs and flags.
The centennial signage was created by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and provided to destination marketing organizations for distribution to communities along the historic highway. Heritage Corridor Destinations proudly recognized 18 partner communities along The First Hundred Miles of Route 66.
“These Centennial Gateway signs are more than markers along the highway; they are a celebration of 100 years of Route 66 and the Illinois communities that have kept the Mother Road alive,” said Casey Claypool, Executive Director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
“The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway is proud to partner with the Illinois Department of Transportation on a project that honors our past, welcomes today’s travelers, and will remain part of the Route 66 landscape well beyond the Centennial,” Claypool said.
Communities receiving the Route 66 Centennial signage include Countryside, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Lemont, Lockport, Plainfield, Shorewood, Joliet, Channahon, Elwood, Wilmington, Braidwood, Godley, Braceville, Gardner, Dwight, Odell and Pontiac.
“The centennial signs and flags are a simple but meaningful way for our communities to show their Route 66 pride during this historic centennial year,” said Robert Navarro, president & CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations. “The First Hundred Miles is home to communities with deep connections to Route 66. Their history and passion for the future of the Mother Road helps create a sense of place for visitors traveling the route.”
Communities have incorporated the road signs and flags into locations that connect visitors with their own Route 66 roots. In Joliet, a Route 66 Centennial sign is displayed at Route 66 Park near the Rich & Creamy ice cream shop. Pontiac added its sign along the original Route 66 alignment, just across from the historic Old Log Cabin Restaurant. In Dwight, Ambler Becker’s Texaco Station has hung a Route 66 Centennial flag inside the historic service station.
The Route 66 Centennial signs and flags are part of statewide efforts to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and highlight the historic highway as it enters its next century.
On Nov. 11, exactly 100 years after the commissioning of the legendary Route 66, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway will host its inaugural Mother Road Conference at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex, 600 Toronto Road, Springfield.
The conference will bring together Route 66 business owners, tourism professionals, preservationists, enthusiasts, elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the highway’s centennial while setting the stage for its next century. Educational sessions and networking opportunities will focus on preservation, economic development, heritage tourism and strengthening Illinois’ iconic Route 66 corridor.
“This conference isn’t just about celebrating 100 years of Route 66 – it’s about creating the roadmap for the next 100,” Claypool said . “This inaugural event gives everyone who cares about Route 66 a seat at the table as we work together to preserve its history, strengthen local economies, grow tourism and shape the future of the Scenic Byway.”
Business owners will gain practical strategies for leveraging the momentum of the Route 66 Centennial to attract new visitors and build long-term success. Tourism professionals will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, develop partnerships and collaborate on ways to keep America’s Main Street a world-class travel destination. Route 66 enthusiasts and preservation advocates will learn how they can play a greater role in protecting the Mother Road, while community leaders from Route 66 towns across Illinois can help shape initiatives that preserve history while driving future economic growth.
The Mother Road Conference will feature nationally recognized Route 66 leaders, preservation experts, tourism professionals and economic development advocates sharing insights on the past, present and future of America’s most famous highway.
For more information about The First Hundred Miles of Route 66 and Route 66 Centennial experiences throughout the Heritage Corridor region, visit TheFirstHundredMiles.com
