Knoxville Sunsphere and Tennessee Amphitheater

The Sunsphere, located in World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, is a 266 ft high hexagonal steel truss structure, topped with a 75 ft gold-colored glass sphere that served as the symbol of the 1982 World's Fair. The Tennessee Amphitheater, also known as the World's Fair Park Amphitheater, is an open-air amphitheater located in the World's Fair Park.—Wikipedia

Florida Tropical House at Indiana Dunes National Park

The Florida Tropical House is a beach house located on Lake Michigan's shoreline in Beverly Shores, Indiana. The house was originally built in 1933 as part of the Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition during the 1933 World's Fair which took place in nearby Chicago. Today it is part of the Century of Progress Architectural District, a historic district. The Florida Tropical House was designed in such a way that the inside and outside environments are blended together. Its exterior was designed in the Modernist style by architect Robert Law Weed and painted a Floridian pink. The Florida Tropical House, along with four other exhibition homes from 1933, were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, collectively known as the "World's Fair Houses." The other four are close neighbors of the Florida Tropical House.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Armco-Ferro House at Indiana Dunes National Park

The Armco-Ferro House is a 1930s prototype house that could be mass-produced and affordable for an American family of modest means located near Lake Michigan's shoreline in Beverly Shores, Indiana. The house was originally built in 1933 as part of the Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition during the 1933 World's Fair which took place in nearby Chicago. Today it is part of the Century of Progress Architectural District, a historic district. The Armco-Ferro House was designed by Robert Smith, Jr., of Cleveland, Ohio. This seemingly frameless house boasted a revolutionary construction system for the time: corrugated steel panels that are bolted together. This system resembles a typical cardboard box. The corrugated panels are clad with porcelain-enameled steel panels. This construction system later provided the inspiration for the post World War II prefabricated housing developed by the Lustron Corporation. The Armco-Ferro House, along with four other exhibition homes from 1933, were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, collectively known as the World's Fair Houses. The other four are close neighbors of the Armco-Ferro House.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Wieboldt-Rostone House at Indiana Dunes National Park

The Wieboldt-Rostone House is located near Lake Michigan's shoreline in Beverly Shores, Indiana. The house was originally built in 1933 as part of the Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition during the 1933 World's Fair, which took place in nearby Chicago. Today it is part of the Century of Progress Architectural District, a historic district. Framed in steel and clad with an artificial stone called Rostone (Limestone, shale and alkali). Billed as never needing repairs, it only lasted until the 1950s. Intended to showcase a new building material of limestone waste and shale, the Rostone House was the product of Rostone, Inc., of Lafayette, Indiana, and the Indiana Bridge Company. Construction was simplified by the completion of most design and fabrication work at a factory. The panels would be precast to the correct sizes needed for a specific project. Each panel came with pre-set nuts, that would be used to bolt the panel onto the steel frame. Both the interior and exterior walls were designed this way. The house was designed by Indiana Architect Walter Scholer. The Wieboldt-Rostone House, along with four other exhibition homes from 1933, were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, collectively known as the World's Fair Houses. The other four are close neighbors of the Wieboldt-Rostone House.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Gemini Giant - Route 66, Illinois

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Gemini Giant is a landmark statue at the eastern entrance to Wilmington, Will County, Illinois. Standing outside the Launching Pad drive-in restaurant, the 30 foot tall statue is one of many giant Muffler Man advertising props found throughout the U.S. in the Sixties. The Gemini Giant is named after the Gemini space program and holds a silver rocket ship in his hands, while sporting an astronaut's space helmet that resembles a welding mask. The proprietors of a Dari-Delight restaurant (opened in 1960), John and Bernice Korelc, bought a 438-pound fiberglass Muffler Man figure for $3,500 at the annual National Restaurant Association convention, had it outfitted as an astronaut with helmet and rocket, and renamed the restaurant, now guarded by the Gemini Giant, as the Launching Pad. Since then, the Giant has been the most prominent decoration of the restaurant. Both the Launching Pad and the Gemini Giant were inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2000. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. —Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Retro Texaco Gas Pumps

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. Ambler's Texaco Gas Station, also known as Becker's Marathon Gas Station, is a historic filling station located at the intersection of Old U.S. Route 66 and Illinois Route 17 in the village of Dwight, Illinois. The station has been identified as the longest operating gas station along Route 66; it dispensed fuel for 66 continuous years until 1999. The station is a good example of a domestic style gas station and derives its most common names from ownership stints by two different men. Ambler's was the subject of major restoration work from 2005–2007, and reopened as a Route 66 visitor's center in May 2007. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2001. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Vintage Texaco Sky Chief Gas Pump

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. Ambler's Texaco Gas Station, also known as Becker's Marathon Gas Station, is a historic filling station located at the intersection of Old U.S. Route 66 and Illinois Route 17 in the village of Dwight, Illinois. The station has been identified as the longest operating gas station along Route 66; it dispensed fuel for 66 continuous years until 1999. The station is a good example of a domestic style gas station and derives its most common names from ownership stints by two different men. Ambler's was the subject of major restoration work from 2005–2007, and reopened as a Route 66 visitor's center in May 2007. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2001. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Ambler's Texaco Gas Station on Route 66

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. Ambler's Texaco Gas Station, also known as Becker's Marathon Gas Station, is a historic filling station located at the intersection of Old U.S. Route 66 and Illinois Route 17 in the village of Dwight, Illinois. The station has been identified as the longest operating gas station along Route 66; it dispensed fuel for 66 continuous years until 1999. The station is a good example of a domestic style gas station and derives its most common names from ownership stints by two different men. Ambler's was the subject of major restoration work from 2005–2007, and reopened as a Route 66 visitor's center in May 2007. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2001. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Ambler's Route 66 Texaco Gas Station

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. Ambler's Texaco Gas Station, also known as Becker's Marathon Gas Station, is a historic filling station located at the intersection of Old U.S. Route 66 and Illinois Route 17 in the village of Dwight, Illinois. The station has been identified as the longest operating gas station along Route 66; it dispensed fuel for 66 continuous years until 1999. The station is a good example of a domestic style gas station and derives its most common names from ownership stints by two different men. Ambler's was the subject of major restoration work from 2005–2007, and reopened as a Route 66 visitor's center in May 2007. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2001. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Route 66 Shield Mural

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. Located on the outside, back wall of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois is this Route 66 Shield Mural. It was painted in 2006 by the artists at Diaz Sign Art of Pontiac, Illinois. The bricks you see in front of the mural are original Route 66 bricks. You may drive your car, truck, motorcycle, or other mode of transportation in front of the mural for a photo. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Route 66 Road Surface Painted Shield

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. Behind the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois is located this Route 66 shield painted on the black asphalt pavement is one of classic images of Route 66. There are many painted shields all along the Route 66 Mother Road's alignment in each of the states it crosses. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Bob Waldmire's Bus

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. Out back, behind the museum, you can view Bob Waldmire's renovated 1966 school bus, commonly referred to as his Road Yacht he used as a house, art gallery, library and, at times, actual transportation. Robert (Bob) Waldmire was an American artist and cartographer who is well known for his artwork of U.S. Route 66, including whimsical maps of the Mother Road and its human and natural ecology. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

Art Car Tow Truck and Bob Waldmire's Bus

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. Out back, behind the museum, you can view Bob Waldmire's renovated 1966 school bus, commonly referred to as his Road Yacht he used as a house, art gallery, library and, at times, actual transportation. Robert (Bob) Waldmire was an American artist and cartographer who is well known for his artwork of U.S. Route 66, including whimsical maps of the Mother Road and its human and natural ecology. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia—This image was processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

1960s Radio DJ Booth and 1940s What Children Did Display

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. The Life in the 1940s exhibit is located on the 2nd floor of the Pontiac Museum Complex. The exhibit was curated by Ron Selle and Darlene Agner. The exhibit features four rooms, completely furnished with furniture and knick-knacks from the era. The exhibit also has a display of original newspapers and the most significant headlines of World War II. Be sure to stop into the Stage Door Canteen to enjoy some vintage, 1940s music.— visitpontiac.org U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia

1940s Laundry

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. The Life in the 1940s exhibit is located on the 2nd floor of the Pontiac Museum Complex. The exhibit was curated by Ron Selle and Darlene Agner. The exhibit features four rooms, completely furnished with furniture and knick-knacks from the era. The exhibit also has a display of original newspapers and the most significant headlines of World War II. Be sure to stop into the Stage Door Canteen to enjoy some vintage, 1940s music.— visitpontiac.org U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia

1960s Radio Announcer's Booth

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. The Life in the 1940s exhibit is located on the 2nd floor of the Pontiac Museum Complex. The exhibit was curated by Ron Selle and Darlene Agner. The exhibit features four rooms, completely furnished with furniture and knick-knacks from the era. The exhibit also has a display of original newspapers and the most significant headlines of World War II. Be sure to stop into the Stage Door Canteen to enjoy some vintage, 1940s music.— visitpontiac.org U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia

1960s Radio DJ Booth and Historic Newspapers

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. The Life in the 1940s exhibit is located on the 2nd floor of the Pontiac Museum Complex. The exhibit was curated by Ron Selle and Darlene Agner. The exhibit features four rooms, completely furnished with furniture and knick-knacks from the era. The exhibit also has a display of original newspapers and the most significant headlines of World War II. Be sure to stop into the Stage Door Canteen to enjoy some vintage, 1940s music.— visitpontiac.org U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia

1940s Kitchen

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. The Life in the 1940s exhibit is located on the 2nd floor of the Pontiac Museum Complex. The exhibit was curated by Ron Selle and Darlene Agner. The exhibit features four rooms, completely furnished with furniture and knick-knacks from the era. The exhibit also has a display of original newspapers and the most significant headlines of World War II. Be sure to stop into the Stage Door Canteen to enjoy some vintage, 1940s music.— visitpontiac.org U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia

1940s Master Bedroom

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. The Life in the 1940s exhibit is located on the 2nd floor of the Pontiac Museum Complex. The exhibit was curated by Ron Selle and Darlene Agner. The exhibit features four rooms, completely furnished with furniture and knick-knacks from the era. The exhibit also has a display of original newspapers and the most significant headlines of World War II. Be sure to stop into the Stage Door Canteen to enjoy some vintage, 1940s music.— visitpontiac.org U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia

1940s Living Room

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. The Life in the 1940s exhibit is located on the 2nd floor of the Pontiac Museum Complex. The exhibit was curated by Ron Selle and Darlene Agner. The exhibit features four rooms, completely furnished with furniture and knick-knacks from the era. The exhibit also has a display of original newspapers and the most significant headlines of World War II. Be sure to stop into the Stage Door Canteen to enjoy some vintage, 1940s music.— visitpontiac.org U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia

Bob Waldmire's VW Microbus

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. Inside the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois is one of Bob Waldmire's modified vehicles, an orange 1972 Volkswagen Microbus. The VW Microbus was the inspiration for the character Fillmore from the 2006 animated motion picture Cars. Robert (Bob) Waldmire was an American artist and cartographer who is well known for his artwork of U.S. Route 66, including whimsical maps of the Mother Road and its human and natural ecology. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia

Route 66 Association of Illinois License Plate Display

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. The Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois located in the former Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station. Now known as the Pontiac Museum Complex. Established in 2004, it commemorates the people, places and events that gave Route 66 its special character. It features include plaques and displays honoring members of the Hall of Fame, as well as many other exhibits of historic and unusual interest. The Hall of Fame Museum is open year around. Admission is free. Induction ceremonies for new members are held each year during the Association’s annual Motor Tour.— il66assoc.org U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia

Bob Waldmire's 1972 Volkswagen Microbus

Seen along historic Route 66 in Illinois. Inside the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois is one of Bob Waldmire's modified vehicles, an orange 1972 Volkswagen Microbus. The VW Microbus was the inspiration for the character Fillmore from the 2006 animated motion picture Cars. Robert (Bob) Waldmire was an American artist and cartographer who is well known for his artwork of U.S. Route 66, including whimsical maps of the Mother Road and its human and natural ecology. U.S. Route 66 in Illinois connected St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. The historic Route 66, first known as the Main Street of America and later dubbed the Mother Road by novelist John Steinbeck in 1939, took long distance automobile travelers from Chicago to Southern California. Illinois was the first of the eight states through which the route ran to have its segment of US 66 completed at a time when much of Route 66 was still a gravel-and-dirt road. Route 66 in Illinois has now been largely replaced with Interstate 55. Parts of the original route still carry traffic and six separate portions of the roadbed have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—Wikipedia