Route History: Highlighting the African American Experience on ‘Mother Road’

Route History is a museum in Springfield, Illinois, dedicated to telling the untold stories of local African American history, including those traveling along Route 66. It was created in 2019 by Dr. Gina Lathan and Dr. Stacy Grundy.

Route History is located at 737 East Cook St. in Springfield, Illinois. It is housed in an adaptively reused 1930s-era former Texaco Gas Station, just one block from Historic Route 66. The gas station, now a local historic landmark, was used during the height of Route 66 travel. 

In addition to sharing stories of Black History on Illinois' portion of the Mother Road, the museum focuses on Springfield's role in the Underground Railroad, the 1908 Race Riot, the history of the Green Book in Illinois and more.

Pictured here is the Mid Town Tourist Home in East St. Louis, one of the Green Book sites Landmarks Illinois included on its 2021 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois.

Pictured here is the now-demolished Dudley Hotel in Springfield, another Green Book site.

"It is all of our responsibility to preserve and tell the untold stories of those Green Book sites so that future generations, especially Black children, understand the rich legacy that they come from.”
- Dr. Stacy Grundy, Co-Chief Executive Officer & Co-owner

“Ultimately, we want to ensure that the contributions African Americans have made to the city of Springfield and the state of Illinois are recognized, celebrated and remembered.”
- Dr. Gina Lathan, Co-Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder