Litchfield in Montgomery County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center

Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 2, 2020

1. Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Dave Jackson, lifelong resident, and former editor of the Litchfield News Herald, wanted Litchfield to have a museum. Jackson had a large collection of Litchfield memorabilia which he hoped to share and preserve. He died in May of 2010 before his dream was realized.

In the spring of 2011, a group including Jackson's wife, Martha, and daughter, Anne, met to discuss the idea of publishing a book of old Litchfield postcards. By the end of that meeting, the Museum Association was formed and the book was to be the first fundraiser for the new Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center.

In June of 2011, property on the Historic Route 66 was purchased by Martha Jackson and donated to the Association in Dave's memory. A dedicated group of Litchfield citizens worked diligently and on April 23, 2012, a ground breaking ceremony was held. Construction began on the 4600 square foot facility on May 1, 2012. The Association began to collect memorabilia on January 9, 2013, from a very giving group of area citizens, and the Grand Opening was held June 1, 2013.

Dave Jackson's dream is a reality thanks to the hard work

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of Martha Jackson and a like-minded group of volunteers. Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center is a non-for-profit organization that is run solely by volunteers who welcome thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

This sign was made possible through a grant from the W. Darrell Kilton Foundation.

Erected by W. Darrell Kilton Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2013.

Location. 39° 10.628′ N, 89° 39.989′ W. Marker is in Litchfield, Illinois, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Old Route 66 North south of West Kirkham Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in front of the museum, next to the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 334 Old Rte 66 N, Litchfield IL 62056, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Vic Suhling Sign (here, next to this marker); Route 66 (here, next to this marker); The American Radiator Plant Cornerstone (here, next to this marker); The Litchfield Community High School 1924-1997 (a few steps from this marker); The Litchfield Car and Machine Company

Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center image. Click for more information.

via Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, unknown

2. Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center

Museum website homepage
Click for more information.

(a few steps from this marker); Schutt Mosaic (within shouting distance of this marker); George Gustavus Lafferty (within shouting distance of this marker); Litchfield's Wind Mill Factory (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Litchfield.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 2, 2020

3. Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center Marker

Marker is the one closest to the entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on May 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on November 9, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.