Normal Region
Route 66 Attractions in the Normal - Bloomington Region
1. Sprague's Super Service - You are standing next to the only two-story Tudor Revival service station on Route 66, built in 1931. A wayside exhibit tells the story.
2. Normal Theater - The Art Deco style theater, built in 1937, has been completely restored. Enjoy classic films, live theater, and music.
3. David Davis Museum - David Davis, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice appointed by his friend and fellow circuit rider Abraham Lincoln, built this Victorian home in 1872. Open for tours.
4. McLean Country Museum of History - Housed in the 1900 McLean Country Courthouse, experience the history of this region through award-winning exhibits. A Route 66 wayside exhibit interprets "Bloody 66" and the rise of insurance companies in Bloomington.
5. Funk Prairie Home - Visit the restored 1864 home of Lafayette Funk, co-founder and director of the Chicago Union Stockyards and an Illinois State Senator. The Funk Gem and Mineral Museum is also located on the grounds. Open for tours.
6. Walker Store and Historic Depot - The Walker Store was a true general store. From 1921 to 1973, it sold a bit of everything including gas. Across the road is an abandoned historic depot that was mover here from Shirley.
7. Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup - The Funk family has been making and selling maple sirup since 1891. Pick up a sample for the road!
8. Funks Grove Church and Cemetery - Enjoy sanctuary-like peace beneath the giant maples at the Funks Grove Church (1864) and Cemetery.
9. Sugar Grove Nature Center - Visit the largest remaining intact prairie grove in Illinois. The nature center offers exhibits, live animals, trails, and programs.
10. Dixie Truck Stop - Opened in 1928 to serve Route 66 Truckers and travelers, it has only been closed one day due to fire in 1965.
1. Sprague's Super Service - You are standing next to the only two-story Tudor Revival service station on Route 66, built in 1931. A wayside exhibit tells the story.
2. Normal Theater - The Art Deco style theater, built in 1937, has been completely restored. Enjoy classic films, live theater, and music.
3. David Davis Museum - David Davis, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice appointed by his friend and fellow circuit rider Abraham Lincoln, built this Victorian home in 1872. Open for tours.
4. McLean Country Museum of History - Housed in the 1900 McLean Country Courthouse, experience the history of this region through award-winning exhibits. A Route 66 wayside exhibit interprets "Bloody 66" and the rise of insurance companies in Bloomington.
5. Funk Prairie Home - Visit the restored 1864 home of Lafayette Funk, co-founder and director of the Chicago Union Stockyards and an Illinois State Senator. The Funk Gem and Mineral Museum is also located on the grounds. Open for tours.
6. Walker Store and Historic Depot - The Walker Store was a true general store. From 1921 to 1973, it sold a bit of everything including gas. Across the road is an abandoned historic depot that was mover here from Shirley.
7. Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup - The Funk family has been making and selling maple sirup since 1891. Pick up a sample for the road!
8. Funks Grove Church and Cemetery - Enjoy sanctuary-like peace beneath the giant maples at the Funks Grove Church (1864) and Cemetery.
9. Sugar Grove Nature Center - Visit the largest remaining intact prairie grove in Illinois. The nature center offers exhibits, live animals, trails, and programs.
10. Dixie Truck Stop - Opened in 1928 to serve Route 66 Truckers and travelers, it has only been closed one day due to fire in 1965.
Route 66 in Normal - Bloomington
Serving the Route 66 Traveler
When Route 66 was born, businesses sprang up to serve the needs of new motorists. Early filling stations were simply gas pumps outside a store. Later canopy roofs were added over the pumps. Eye-catching architecture in the 1930s attracted growing numbers of cross-country travelers with gas, mechanical service, maps, and home-cooked food.
Service Station Architecture
You are standing near Sprague's Super Service. Built in 1931 in the Tudor Revival style, this gas station, diner, and home was designed to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood.
In the mid - 1930s, oil corporations hired famous architects to create modern-style gas stations. Walter Dorwin Teague crafted a streamlined box design used fro more the 10,000 Texaco stations, including Quinn's Texaco on Main Street in Bloomington built in 1941.
Fill 'er up! How's the Food? Got a Room?
Streid's gas station, restaurant, and motel (now demolished) offered "one stop" services in the early 1950s when Route 66 followed the Beltline. Its "Streamlined Spanish" architectural style was typical of exuberant Mom and Pop businesses in the 1950s.
First Steak 'n Shake
In 1934, Gus Belt turned his Shell gas station on Main Street in Normal into a restaurant featuring his signature "Steakburger." Today there are over 500 Streak 'n Shake locations, The original building on Route 66 is now a pizza restaurant.
Serving the Route 66 Traveler
When Route 66 was born, businesses sprang up to serve the needs of new motorists. Early filling stations were simply gas pumps outside a store. Later canopy roofs were added over the pumps. Eye-catching architecture in the 1930s attracted growing numbers of cross-country travelers with gas, mechanical service, maps, and home-cooked food.
Service Station Architecture
You are standing near Sprague's Super Service. Built in 1931 in the Tudor Revival style, this gas station, diner, and home was designed to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood.
In the mid - 1930s, oil corporations hired famous architects to create modern-style gas stations. Walter Dorwin Teague crafted a streamlined box design used fro more the 10,000 Texaco stations, including Quinn's Texaco on Main Street in Bloomington built in 1941.
Fill 'er up! How's the Food? Got a Room?
Streid's gas station, restaurant, and motel (now demolished) offered "one stop" services in the early 1950s when Route 66 followed the Beltline. Its "Streamlined Spanish" architectural style was typical of exuberant Mom and Pop businesses in the 1950s.
First Steak 'n Shake
In 1934, Gus Belt turned his Shell gas station on Main Street in Normal into a restaurant featuring his signature "Steakburger." Today there are over 500 Streak 'n Shake locations, The original building on Route 66 is now a pizza restaurant.
