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Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $5000 in byway project funds for byway member projects
Atlanta and Elkhart receive funding
 

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[June 29, 2021]     In early 2021, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway developed the Byway Project Funds program to provide financial assistance to Byway members. Byway Project Funds are to support events, marketing and advertising efforts, and projects that help preserve the heritage of Illinois Route 66 and promote travel to Illinois Route 66 communities and sites. Byway Project Funds cannot be used for general operating or construction expenses. Byway Project Funds will range from $500-$1000 and up to 10 members may receive the funds.

Over the past few months, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway received many exceptional applications, and are announcing $5,000 to the following businesses:

Litchfield Skyview Drive In - $1,000

The Skyview is one of four originally operating drive ins on historic Route 66 nationwide, and the only in Illinois. This year will be their 71st consecutive season in operation. The current caretakers, The Pastrovich Family, have been with the drive in for five years, and the staff has an accumulated 120 years with the company. The Skyview brings fans in from the local area and from one to three hours away every weekend. It’s no surprise to find someone on a Route 66 holiday from across the pond once a month or so as well. Showing movies both new and old, and with great food to boot, the Skyview is open April 2nd through October 16th this year.

The Skyview is looking to upgrade some of the grounds, while still in keeping with the historic style and theme. The Ticket Booth is in need of rebuilding, and the landscaping is in need updating. The $1000 Byway Project Funds are to help paint the screen. The paint is a special type and costs approx. $5000,

not including labor. The family will be painting the screen so that expense is covered. This is a much- needed update to an historic business that the local area and all 66 fans around the world enjoy.

Joliet Historical Museum/Old Joliet Prison - $1,000

The Old Joliet Prison is an iconic structure located just off Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois and is arguably among the most recognizable penitentiaries in the world. Built prior to the Civil War in 1858, the Prison is perhaps most famous for its role in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers" in which John Belushi's beloved "Joliet Jake" is released to begin the film's adventure. The Prison also has increasing notoriety as the fictional "Fox River Penitentiary" from the television series "Prison Break." Abandoned from 2002-2017, the site is now operated by the City of Joliet and Joliet Area Historical Museum who offer a variety of public tours and programs. The site is immensely popular with international visitors traveling Route 66.

The Byway Project Funds of $1000 will be used to fund a series of informative and interpretative banners and signage throughout the site (see included example) directing guests to information regarding Prison tours. As a result of the Prison's immense size (16 acres inside the walls), concise, directional signage is critical to ensuring a positive guest experience which exceeds expectations. As many Route 66 visitors speak a primary language other than English, JAHM also wishes to include multilingual capabilities via QR codes throughout the new and existing onsite signage.
 


City of Atlanta - $1,000

The Atlanta Coal Mining Company Historic Mine will transport visitors back to the late 1800s when Atlanta was focused on obtaining a functioning coal mine. Visitors will view the original coal mine shaft sunk in 1879 through glass panels. There will be a light system and sound recording so visitors can see the mine shaft approximately 150 ft in depth and hear the water still running at its bottom. On the wall of the exhibit there will be a monitor showing Go-Pro footage of a person rappelling to the bottom of the mine, played on a loop. This will allow the visitors to experience the sights and sounds if they were to descend to the bottom of the mine shaft.

Byway Project Funds totaling $1000 will be used towards the creation of interpretive panels for the Atlanta Coal Mining Company Historic Mine. An illustrator will create images used on the panels as we do not have photo documentation from the early coal mine. The illustrator will interpret the coal mine story, reference the historic news articles, and then draw images accordingly to maximize the visual effect of the exhibit. Children can learn the history of the coal mine through the images, while adults will be able to read the story through the interpretive panels.


The story portrayed throughout the exhibit's panels is the story of The Atlanta Coal Mining Company and the company which followed, the Atlanta Water Works. The panels will trace the history, beginning with the community's need and desire for a coal mine, followed by the April 13, 1869 charter and approval for The Atlanta Coal Mining Company to sink a coal mine shaft.

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Henry’s Rabbit Ranch - $750

Henry’s is a past, present and future Route 66 attraction for people of all ages. This attraction celebrates Route 66 and the people along the highway with its emporium of highway and trucking memorabilia and a replica of a vintage gas station. This attraction offers all things about rabbits: Volkswagens and the friendly furry kind!

The Byway Project Funds of $750 will be used to replace 3 of our 4 present outdoor sign panels of 4'x8' each. Each panel to be done on aluminum sheets with outdoor sign overlay would cost approximately
$350 each.


Village of Elkhart - $750


The Village of Elkhart has worked hard to preserve Illinois Route 66 by increasing tourism to support it and its history in the community. Visitors from over 30 different countries traveling on Route 66 have been documented at Elkhart's Horsefeathers shop. An Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Historic Route 66 Statue and Wayside Exhibit is located to the west of Elkhart's Village Hall and compliments the Village's ongoing initiative to make Elkhart a special stop for Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway tourists. The Elkhart Historic Route 66 Wall Mural commemorates the Village's long association with Route 66, historical figures and beautiful Elkhart Hill. The Village of Elkhart Native Plant and Pollinator Habitat is located at the entrance of the village on the Route 66 Scenic Byway in a location currently without purpose and accessible to travelers on The Mother Road. It will be an active and attractive native plant and pollinator habitat. The site has extra value as a focal point because it is very visible on Route 66, which is being promoted as "Route 66 Monarch Flyway." The habitat will be a pleasing, functional garden that is designed with consideration for the needs of pollinators and beneficial insects and will be used to teach adults and children about designing, implementing and sustaining native plant gardens and about the insects that utilize them. The public can walk to and in the garden on mulched paths.
 


The village received $750 in assistance from the Byway Project Funds to advertise and support their June 12, 2021, Ribbon Cutting Opening Celebration event for the "Village of Elkhart Native Plant and Pollinator Habitat." The funds were specifically used to support the event through the printing of invitations/postage and a welcome banner, the purchase of a permanent wayside exhibit sign, craft table supplies/volunteer recognition and native plants signage. The event was an enormous success.

City of Edwardsville - $500

The City of Edwardsville is excited to welcome the Route 66 community back to town. The downtown park was the place to step back in time and come together right on Route 66 for their one-day Edwardsville Route 66 Festival held on June 12, 2021. Visitors enjoyed great food, live music, the classic car cruise through town, local artists, children's activities, and much more.


As 2021 brought back the festival, it also embodied the visual of the classic Route 66 vibe. Byway Project Funds of $500 were used to add photo opportunities, selfie stops and backdrop props with Route 66 energy that encouraged people to interact and have old fashioned fun in a safe, touch-less way. The festival also added street signs and roadside billboards.

“This is just one of many Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway member benefits for businesses and attractions that we offer,” said Executive Director Casey Wichmann. The plan is to launch another round of Byway Project Funds in mid-late September with awards being made at the end of November, said Wichmann.
 

[Casey Wichmann, Executive Director]

 

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