VACATION AND TRAVEL
The 66 Drive-In Carthage, Missouri
Pontiac, Illinois Route 66 Museum
Also in Illinois, while traveling south is the city of Pontiac still in Illinois is home to 43 murals, inspired by local history and businesses. The largest one is a Route 66 signpost, painted on the back wall of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum at 110 W Howard St. Free walking maps are available from the museum or City Hall, or you can simply follow the trail of red footprints painted on the sidewalks.
Next is the Ariston Café at 413 Old Rte. 66 in North Litchfield in Illinois. The cafe is thought to be the oldest continually operating restaurant on the historic Route 66 highway and is listed
This next Route 66 attraction is still in business, and that is the 1936 Wagon Wheel Motel, located at 901-905 E. Washington in the city of Cuba, Missouri. Identified by its landmark neon sign, the Wagon Wheel Motel, Cafe, and Station in Cuba offers contemporary travelers a glimpse of a well-preserved, historic example of a locally owned and operated Route 66 tourist court, and a place to sleep. After nearly three-quarters of a century, the Wagon Wheel Motel is still in operation!
Now, in the same state is the 66 Drive-In at 17231 Old Route 66 Blvd in the city of Carthage in Missouri. Opened in 1949 and still in business and only at 8 dollars to watch a movie. Many of the site’s original structures, including a 66-foot-high screen house, billboards, kids’ playground, Art Deco glass ticket booth, and the original neon sign are still intact, and still in use.
This next place is Main Street in Galena, Kansas. Established in 1877. See the classic red brick buildings of Galena’s business district were built during the town’s hey-day. Walking tour highlights
on the National Register of Historic Places. They were established in 1924 and moved to Route 66 in 1935, less than 10 years after the highway opened. See website that shows their menu to see what they specialize in.
Now, in the state of Illinois is, The Historic Standard Oil Gas Station. In 1932, a contractor, Patrick O’Donnell, purchased a small parcel of land along Route 66 in Odell, Illinois. There he built a gas station based on a 1916 Standard Oil of Ohio design, commonly known as a domestic style gas station. This “house with canopy” style of gas station gave customers a comfortable feeling they could associate with home. This is located at 400 S. West St. in Odell, IL., and is now open daily for FREE tours and serves as a local visitor’s center.