il route 66 association hall of fame & museum

i'm a local so it's an everyday thing only been there once the adjoining war museum is much better and more important in my persinal opinion

What a wealth of memorabilia! So much fun walking through here seeing so much from Route 66 from 'back in the day'. If you are in the Pontiac area, you absolutely have to make this a must-see. There is a lot to see in Pontiac, and this is a definite. There is no fee to walk thru, but donations are gladly accepted.

Visited the museum since I am really into the history of the mother road. Being a well-known road the guestbook had people from all over the world from as far as Australia. Mainly focuses on the Illinois portion from Chicago to St. Louis. Loved the vw bus on display and all of the license plates on the wall. There were artifacts including old bridge lights gas pumps and much more the floor up had life in the forties displaying the toys and what a typical house looked like back then. There were headlines from WWII and even some from other countries. The top floors had the military museum and galleries from route 66 in other states. A couple of the rooms used to be jail cells complete with the cell doors window bars and sink/toilet quite amusing. There is a school bus rv in the back that belonged to Bob Waldmire who helped the road regain it's popularity. The huge mural in the back is a good photo opportunity. Must see!!

The purpose of our trip on this day was starting in Pontiac and following Route 66 to Springfield. We couldn't have asked for a better place to start than this museum. The displays with the artifacts started with Chicago and followed with the small towns in the order in which we would drive through them. It was like driving the route without actually driving! Most of the town's displays included local citizens of the town who had been inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame for their contribution to their town in the way of businesses such as motels, gas stations, restaurants & services to the travelers of Route 66.The museum had two more floors, one of which was "Life in the Forties", and the other consisted of war memorials. We didn't have time for the last two floors but plan on going back to see them.I would recommend this museum especially for persons interested in Route 66.

Beginning with the outside Route 66 mural followed by an inside tour of the Waldmire school bus to the unbelievable display of military memorabilia was a wonderful experience. The volunteers were well versed on the history surrounding all items on display. You can easily drift back in time. If you visit Pontiac, this is a must see.

If you are old enough to remember the popular "Route 66" television series of long ago or you once traveled the famed roadway before most of it vanished with the development of the superhighway system, then the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois, located on I-55, offers an opportunity to recall memories of a bygone era. Oh, there are several Route 66 museums that have been established since it was banished from the list of U.S. highways in 1985. You can find them in Illinois (Berwyn, Litchfield), Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and California. But provides more history and nostalgia than the others, card-carrying members of the Route 66 Association attest. We'll take their word for it. Although the U.S. Government ceased to acknowledge the existence of Route 66 almost 30 years ago, it has flourished in the minds and hearts of people from coast to coast who have sparked a revived interest in the old road. Opened in 2004, the Pontiac museum showcases exhibits that fill a couple of bays in the town's old firehouse. The rest of the building houses a military museum, the old city jail and antique shops. It seems appropriate because only 301 of Route 66's original 2,448 miles were in Illinois. This is like traveling the old Chisholm or Santa Fe or Oregon trails, which the pioneers followed westward in the mid-1800s. Many of the museum's exhibits recall vanished Route 66 businesses, such as the booths from the world's first Steak 'n Shake restaurant, which closed in the 1990s. A lithograph on one wall is by "postmark artist" Ken Turmel, who visited every post office on Route 66 and had them stamp his hand-drawn Route 66 map. He printed 2,448 copies to sell in 1997 and still has about 1,500 left. Outside, on the museum's wall, is the world's largest mural of a Route 66 sign. There also is a small roadway of original Route 66 pavement bricks. The museum's most treasured items are the VW hippie van and "School Bus Road Yacht" of the late Bob Waldmire, who was the Johnny Appleseed of Route 66's revival. For decades, Wildmire drove the highway, drawing whimsical sketches of what he saw and sowing seeds of nostalgia that eventually blossomed into places like the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. There are many artifacts, maps and personal histories. Another must-see exhibit is "Life in the 1940s," which has a Grapes of Wrath appeal. It is another wonderful piece of Americana that is gone but should never be forgotten.

Very interesting museum. One of the best museums about Historical Route 66. Very well done.The museum includes artifacts, maps and personal history of Bob Waldmire. Great exhibit "Life in the 1940". 110 West Howard st. Ph. 815 844-4566

Also has the van and "bus" of Bob Waldmire, an avid Rt 66 artist and enthusiast. Two floors of exhibits about Rt 66, particularly Illinois and the early days of last century. Price is right (free) but they do have a donation box. Plan on spending awhile there as there is much to see. Also, don't miss the War Museum on the 3rd floor. Elevator available.

This was such a great place to visit and we totally enjoyed seeing the bus inside and outside. It has so much history.

All five museums in Pontiac are free to the public. The Route 66 Museum is the starting point for all the others. Anyone who enjoys things from the 1950's and 60's will thoroughly enjoy their visit to Pontiac, Illinois.

Of all our stops along Route 66 in Illinois, this was our favorite. There are displays relating to all the Illinois towns on the route we traveled, as well as things relevant to everyday life in an earlier era. So interesting and engaging. It connects as well to an amazing war museum. The staff was great! We were lucky enough to encounter the mayor of Pontiac while we were there!

Very nice displays of when times were simpler. I especially loved the displays of the 1940's home. Great collection of memorabilia.

Virtually every town on Rt66 has its own Rt66 museum. Pontiac wasn’t on our itinerary, but after it was recommended to us at two stops we had previously made, we decided to check it out.It’s housed in a large building. There is a war museum upstairs and several “antique type” shops. The staff are friendly and helpful.We loved Bob Waldmire’s (famous Rt66 artist) converted school bus that is sited outside (you can go inside it). His camper van in the museum was the inspiration for “Fillmore” in the film Cars.This museum was brilliant, well worth the stop and it was free. Do NOT miss! Highly Recommend.

I love looking at the artifacts of days gone by and the feeling that is all Route 66 and the days of open road travel. I always enjoy my stops here as I ride down Rt 66. Well worth a stop.

Stopped here on our way from Chicago to LA on Route 66 and it was a pleasure to find such a great little museum with loads of interesting rte66 'stuff' and such friendly, helpful and knowledgable guides.