(Route 66 Experience at the State Fairgrounds in Springfield gives visitors an immersive experience of famous roadside attractions along the route in Illinois. Credit: Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway)
April 24, 2026
By Kaitlyn McAvoy, Director of Communications
(This article originally appeared in the January 2026 edition of our print newsletter, The Arch. Read The Arch here.)
Illinois is revving up for Route 66’s 100th anniversary in 2026. The legendary highway, which stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, has embodied the American spirit since it was established a century ago.
While the “Mother Road” has evolved since its beginnings in 1926, it continues to spark wonder, wanderlust and Americana nostalgia. Illinois — the first state to have its section of the route completely paved — is home to 300 miles of Route 66. The highway has served as an important economic and cultural engine for the communities it travels through, attracting thousands of travelers each year who spend millions of dollars to explore neon signs, motels, diners and other iconic roadside attractions.
(The Route 66 Museum in Springfield is dedicated to highlighting the Black experience of the Mother Road.)
Honoring Route 66 history
Preserving Route 66 sites has been an integral part of Landmarks Illinois’ work over the past decade. Whether it was listing threatened sites like the Nite Spot Cafe in Litchfield on our Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois, highlighting preservation success stories like the Duncan Manor near Towanda through our awards program or collaborating with local partners to save places like the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Landmarks Illinois has aimed to keep the legacy and stories of Route 66 alive.
Landmarks Illinois is also one of more than 20 nationwide organizations participating in the new Google Arts & Culture Route 66 project – a virtual storytelling hub illuminating places and stories from this important U.S. highway. Visit Landmarks Illinois’ page at bit.ly/LIGAC to learn more.
Our partners across the state are also doing commendable work. The Route History Museum in Springfield highlights the Black experience on Route 66, telling stories of resilience, innovation and segregation along the route. Landmarks Illinois will honor museum co-founders Drs. Gina Lathan and Stacy Grundy this March at the 2026 Preservation Forward celebration.
Immersive history & statewide leadership
Also in Springfield, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway has brought iconic sites to life through the Route 66 Experience at the state fairgrounds. The free exhibit is both educational and inspiring, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history and lore of the Mother Road.
Landmarks Illinois Regional Advocacy Manager Quinn Adamowski serves as Chair of the Byway, which has been leading efforts to organize Route 66 Centennial events and projects. The Illinois Route 66 Commission was created in 2018, also for the purpose of planning for the centennial. Landmarks Illinois President & CEO Bonnie McDonald is among the commission’s 20 members.
2026 Events Across Illinois
An official Route 66 Centennial Kick-off event will be held on April 30 in Joliet at the Old Joliet Prison. Another event will take place on November 11 at the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum in Springfield. Visit Route66cenntennial.org for information on events throughout 2026.
National Recognition
Finally, we hope to celebrate another long-awaited milestone on the road to preserving Route 66. This year, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) reintroduced legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. The bill has received significant support from preservation and tourism organizations, including Landmarks Illinois, since 2017. At the time of publication, the bill had not yet passed.
Join us and other Route 66 enthusiasts at this year’s Route 66 Centennial celebrations!
Illinois Route 66 Kick-Off Event
April 30
Old Joliet Prison
More information at: jolietmuseum.org
Epic Centennial Celebration
November 11
Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum
More information at: illinoisroute66.org/il66centennial
For information about events in Illinois and other states: route66centennial.org/