Route 66 - Day #2
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Today started in Pontiac, IL - a city known for their wall murals. None are more impressive than this 66-foot map of Route 66 originally created by the artist - and Route 66 lifer - Bob Waldmire. The map highlights many of the cities/towns along the route. The YOU ARE HERE on the upper right side of the map shows how “far” we have come and how much we have left to cover. The next image is of the text right behind his back that describes this mural in detail.
Click on Image for Map.
The next series of images are all of murals from around the town of Pontiac, IL.
From ChatGPT:
The murals of Pontiac transform its downtown into an open-air gallery celebrating local history and Route 66 culture. More than 20 large-scale works—many created during a 2009 “Walldog” gathering of sign painters—depict themes such as early businesses, automobiles, and life along the “Mother Road.” Bob Waldmire and other artists contributed pieces that blend nostalgia with storytelling. Easily viewed on foot or by car, the murals preserve Pontiac’s heritage while adding vibrant color, community pride, and a strong sense of place for visitors traveling historic Route 66.
These storefront murals are some of the best in town and they are all located around the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum. This is also where Bob Waldmire’s converted school bus is usually parked. However, the parking lot is currently undergoing construction/resurfacing, so photographing these impressive murals was challenging. And, more importantly, they have moved Bob’s bus during the renovation, so we didn’t get to see it this trip.
Click on Image for Map.
The wishing well and sign from the old Wishing Well Motel are in the same parking lot that is undergoing renovation.
After searching out as many of the murals as we could find, our next stop was the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum.
Click on Image for Map.
This is a photo of Bob Waldmire standing next to his VW Bus, which we will see in the next several images. Bob was one of early ambassadors of Route 66.
From ChatGPT:
Bob Waldmire was a beloved artist, historian, and environmentalist closely associated with Route 66. Born in 1945, he became known for his intricate hand-drawn maps and whimsical depictions of roadside Americana. Often traveling in a converted school bus, he promoted preservation of the historic highway and a simple, nature-focused lifestyle. Waldmire spent many years in Illinois and Arizona, inspiring travelers until his death in 2009 from cancer.
Bob traveled Route 66 many times in this VW Bus. However, his “land yacht” - a highly modified yellow school bus - usually parked beside the museum is currently in storage while the parking lot is being resurfaced.
The interior of Bob’s VW.
A wall of Illinois license plates, one for each year dating back to about 1912.
More jail cells in the state of Illinois. This former jail cell has been converted into an art exhibit for photos taken along the route of some of the most iconic stops. The photographer who took the images in this gallery has done an exceptional job!
Up stairs they have mack-ups for a “typical” 1940s house.
The old refrigerator with primitive refrigeration.
Signature chalk board. Hint - just below the heart in the center.
Coming into Lexington, IL they have an old 1926 original stretch of Route 66 they call Memory Lane. It is complete with a number of period appropriate road signs.
Click on Image for Map.
In Towanda, IL we stopped to walk on a stretch of old Route 66. We came upon an older couple walking their dog - a mid-size Shepard mix; later we found out the three of them are crossing the country in this vehicle. And to think, if they can do it in this, we surely could have made it in the 2014 CR-V!
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There really isn’t a lot of “Normal” on Route 66 - but here in Normal there appears to be….
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From ChatGPT:
Sprague's Super Service is a historic 1931 gas station along Route 66 in Normal, Illinois. Designed in a Tudor Revival style, it uniquely combined fuel service, a café, garage, and upstairs living quarters. Restored and preserved, it now serves as a visitor center, symbolizing the rise and evolution of roadside travel businesses.
Abe sitting outside the Curisin With Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center. It was closed on Sunday, but we still got to see Honest Abe. There will be MUCH more Lincoln to come tomorrow!
Click on Image for Map.
We strolled downtown Bloomington. Not too much open on a Sunday.
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Click on Image for Map.
Our next stop was at Funks Grove Maple Sirup. We had maple ice cream and maple candies - they were both AMAZING!!
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From ChatGPT:
Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup is a historic, family-run operation along Route 66 that has produced maple sweetener since the 1800s. Using sap from thousands of trees, the Funk family continues a multigenerational tradition rooted in early Native American and pioneer practices. Their distinctive spelling of “sirup” reflects an older usage once favored by Webster’s Dictionary to describe pure maple sap boiled without additives. The “i” spelling was preserved at the request of Hazel Funk Holmes and remains a symbol of authenticity, tradition, and the grove’s commitment to producing true, unadulterated maple sirup.
Next was a stop in McLean, IL. As you can see from this mural on the side of a grain silo, one of the town’s claims to fame is a great old arcade containing MANY old authentic pinball machines and vintage video games. The games can still be played with quarters and the place was busy when we were there. What fun!!
Click on Image for Map.
There are actually two separate buildings with pinball and arcade games - this is the larger of the two.
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Playing vintage Pac-Man. These were the video games of my generation!!
Classic old-school pinball machines - all in perfect working condition and playable.
The classic Pole Position game. There was a time when I was VERY good at this game - that time is NOT today!!
This was such an incredibly fun and quirky stop on Route 66. I think Lisa and I could have stayed here all day!
Lisa standing under his “wiener” in Atlanta, IL.
Click on Image for Map.
Just a block away from the Bunyon Giant they have opened a new museum called American Giants. It was not scheduled to open until May 1st, but because there was a special group coming to town today they had one pre-season opening and we lucked into seeing it.
Click on Image for Map.
From ChatGPT:
American Giants Museum is a unique Route 66 attraction dedicated to preserving the history of “Muffler Men”—the towering fiberglass advertising figures popular in mid-20th-century America. Opened in 2023 in a vintage-style Texaco station, it features restored giants like the rare 24-foot Texaco Big Friend, along with exhibits explaining their origins and cultural impact. Outdoor displays create a “Land of the Giants,” making it a fun, nostalgic stop for travelers exploring roadside Americana.
J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum. This exhibit was a self guided tour with interpretive plaques explaining the workings of a grain elevator. It was really fascinating. I would love to see it on a day when they have the old elevator open for tours.
Click on Image for Map.
In Atlanta, even the place we stopped for dinner (Country-Aire Restaurant) has a couple of “giants” out front.
Click on Image for Map.
