Murals on Main Street

Pontiac, Illinois, is a quintessential stop on Route 66, home to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, historic sites, and one of the most photographed murals on the Mother Road. But there’s more—Pontiac’s historic downtown is also home to over 20 Murals on Main Street, each telling a unique story of the town’s rich history.

Route 66 Shield Mural

Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, 110 W Howard St.
Artist: Diaz Sign Art
The first, biggest, and most famous Route 66 mural in Pontiac—and maybe on the whole route. The Route 66 Shield Mural was painted in 2006 on the exterior wall of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s the perfect spot for a classic Route 66 photo, and you can even drive your car right up in front! Beneath it, you’ll find original red bricks from Route 66 itself.

Abe Lincoln & Strevell House Mural

101 E Washington St.
Artists: Mike Meyer and Adam May
A tribute to Abraham Lincoln’s visit to Pontiac in January 1860. Jason Strevell, a local lawyer, measured Lincoln during his stay because he couldn’t believe Honest Abe was taller than him!

Allen Candy Co.

220 W Madison St.
Artist: Jay Allen
This mural celebrates a local candy store founded by Harry Allen in the late 1800s. A sweet reminder of Pontiac’s small-town charm.

Bloomington, Pontiac, & Joliet Interurban Railroad

315 N Main St.
Artist: Rob Estes
Between 1905 and 1925, the PB&J railroad connected Pontiac to Odell and Dwight with streetcars, and this mural brings that piece of history to life.

Chautauqua Assembly

100 E Madison St.
Artists: David and Susie Butler, Dan Sawatzky
This mural captures the Chautauqua movement, a late 19th and early 20th-century phenomenon that brought culture, entertainment, and education to Pontiac through speakers, musicians, and teachers.

Daniels Oil

314 N Main St.
Artist: Diaz Sign Art
A nod to the gas station that once stood in downtown Pontiac, this mural keeps the town’s automotive history alive.

Drink Coca-Cola

303 N Main St.
Artist: Sonny Franks
A vibrant tribute to Coca-Cola, featuring Corsair fighter planes and a man enjoying Coke—on the same spot where a 1920s Coca-Cola ad once stood.

Fire House

201 W Howard St.
Artist: Stephan Connor
This mural honors the Pontiac Fire Department, located on the door of the current firehouse.

Ghost Mural

217 N Mill St.
An eerie remnant of a long-faded mural, located in the back room of the Museum of the Gilding Arts, this ghostly image lingers on the wall, a piece of Pontiac’s forgotten history.

Humiston Heritage

305 W Howard St.
Artist: Gary Anderson
This mural celebrates the Bennet Humiston Trust, which was established in 1920 for the educational and charitable benefit of Pontiac’s residents.

Jesse Fell & Chief Pontiac

303 N Mill St.
Artist: Judy Grossman
A tribute to Pontiac’s founder, Jesse Fell, and the Ottawa Indian Chief for whom the town was named.

Palace of Sweets

314 N Main St.
Artist: Cam Bortz
This colorful mural honors the candy store and soda fountain that once delighted locals with sugary treats.

Pontiac on Route 66

201 W Washington St.
Artists: Tom and Kathy Durham
A vintage-style mural depicting a classic Cadillac driving into the sunset along Route 66, a perfect ode to the open road.

RCA Victor

218 W Howard St.
Artists: Bernie Gietl, Bernie Lohmeyer, Bernie Poff
This mural recreates an early 1900s RCA Victor advertisement, complete with Nipper the dog and a victrola.

Rodino Square

310 N Main St.
Artist: Dale Manor
Celebrating the gas station, restaurant, and hotel opened by Carme Rodino in 1927, this mural captures Pontiac’s bustling history.

Route 66 & the Pontiac Auto – 1926

309 N Oak St.
Artist: Tang Dongbai
This mural transports you back to 1926, when Route 66 was first paved with red bricks and General Motors rolled out the iconic Pontiac.

Route 66 Preservation

110 W Howard St.
Artist: Tang Dongbai
The only indoor mural in Pontiac, this piece inside the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates the volunteers who preserve Illinois’ slice of Route 66 history.

Roszell’s Soda Shop

314 N Main St.
Artist: Joe Diaz
A mural based on a local dairy from the 1900s, celebrating the charm of small-town soda fountains.

Scatterday Soda

312 N Mill St.
Artist: Carole Bersin
This mural honors Scatterday Soda, a local bottling company founded in 1881.

A Tradition of Farming

218 W Howard St.
Artist: Michael Clark
A tribute to the importance of farming in the Pontiac region, featuring a 1900s steam-powered tractor.

Vermilion River and Mill

Mill St. and Vermilion River bridge
Artist: Francisco Vargas
This mural captures the Vermilion River and Williams’ Mill in a nostalgic 5-cent stamp design.

Waldmire Memorial – Giant Route 66 Map

300 N Main St.
Artist: Bob Waldmire
A 66-foot-long mural of Route 66, painted posthumously by Bob Waldmire’s family and friends, honoring the famous artist and cartographer’s deep connection to the Mother Road.

Weekly Sentinel

120 E Howard St.
Artist: Mancy Bennett
Depicting a paperboy delivering newspapers, this mural commemorates the Pontiac Sentinel, a newspaper that ran from 1857 through the early 1900s.

Welcome to Downtown Pontiac

Mill St. and Vermilion River bridge
Artist: Diaz Sign Art
This welcoming mural, styled like a 1950s billboard, greets visitors to Pontiac’s historic downtown.

Take a self-guided walking tour of these murals—free guides are available at the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. Follow the red painted footprints on the sidewalk, or scan the QR codes next to many of the works to learn more about the art and history of Pontiac, Illinois.