In May of this year, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau received a $919,000 grant from the State for revitalizing the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Southwest Illinois. The grant funds were outlined for Community Murals and Rt 66 Monuments in several communities along the route.
The Mural Trail is creating 12 postcard-style, matching murals that highlight the Route 66 community. Litchfield was included among those communities and is so excited to share the mural with the residents and visitors of Litchfield. The mural was created at 900 N Old Route 66. From left to right in the photo, Mayor Steve Dougherty, Alec Hebenstreit, Chelsey Semplowski, Stephanie Hebenstreit, and Gene Hebenstreit, not pictured Tourism Coordinator Alicia Bloomfield. “We love the mural and are so happy that we are able to be a part of this historical road! We would like to thank Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau and the City of Litchfield for making this happen” Team Victory Lane.
But that is not all of the exciting news. Litchfield will also be among the communities receiving a “Six on 66” monument. The monument attraction is a unique metal structure clearly visible on Route 66 and designed to draw visitors into the community. The monument will serve as a photo stop in Litchfield and will be great for sharing on social media about the Route 66 experience of visitors. The monument will be located along Weir Street at the northeast corner of the Litchfield National Bank Route 66 Banking Center. The monument will begin installation next week.
These exciting additions to our Route 66 experience will welcome guests for years to come and is a regional approach to tourism; connecting the Mother Road communities. The City is grateful to be a part of the grant project and thanks Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau for its partnership.
