Peoria Standard

With the Route 66 centennial approaching in 2026, the Illinois State Museum is seeking individuals who had interactions with the iconic highway before its decommissioning in 1985. By the 1980s, Route 66 had ceased to be a major trunk road due to the development of various Interstate highways connecting Chicago, Los Angeles, and intermediate points. U.S. Route 66 is now marked in Illinois as a “Historic Route,” with brown signs indicating its historical significance. Numerous state and local installations along the highway, including sites maintained by private entities, further highlight and celebrate this historic roadway.

The museum's history staff is calling on people with ties to Route 66 to contact them via email. Potential storytellers include:

- Individuals who have memories of driving on Route 66.

- Those who recall operating or watching their families operate car-related businesses along the highway. These businesses include restaurants, hotels, and auto service establishments.

- Workers involved in building, maintaining, or rerouting Route 66.

- First responders stationed along or near the highway.

Volunteers may be asked to participate in interviews that could be video-recorded. Stories from these interviews might be posted online for global sharing. As the starting point for westward travel on Route 66, Illinois aims to be recognized as the root and anchor state of this historic highway.