Murals on Main Street

Pontiac is home to 23 outdoor murals which, in addition to being beautiful pieces of public art, depict its varied local history. Most of the murals can be seen from your car, however, a walking tour is the best way to see the many details.

The largest mural is the Route 66 shield found on the back of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. At its base are bricks from the original Route 66 alignment running through Pontiac and it is the perfect backdrop for a photo of your Route 66 journey.

18 of our murals were painted by the Walldogs, a collection of sign painters and muralists who came to town in the summer of 2009. The more than 150 artists painted the entire set of 18 murals in just four days.

Free Mural Guides are available at the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum, the Museum of the Gilding Arts, and City Hall. Or you can follow the red painted footprints on the downtown sidewalks for a comfortable walking tour of all of the murals. You can also use your mobile device to scan the QR code located under or next to many of the murals to guide you from one to the next and hear a bit about their design and significance.

1926 - Route 66 & the Pontiac Auto

Painted by Tang Dongbai in 2015, this mural celebrates the birth of two important American legends - General Motors' Pontiac automobile brand and Route 66. The mural is located in the 400 block of West Madison St.

Abe Lincoln & Strevell House Mural

Designed by Mike Meyer and Adam May and painted as part of the Walldog event in 2009. This mural is located in the 100 block of East Washington St.

Allen Candy Mural

This mural was designed by Jay Allen of Machesney Park, IL and is located in the 200 block of West Madison St.

Bloomington, Pontiac, & Joliet Interurban Railroad

The mural design comes from Rob Estes of Brushstroke Signs in Paducah, KY. It is located in the rear parking lot of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in the 300 block of North Main St.

Chautauqua Assembly

The mural was designed by David and Susie Butler and Dan Sawatzky. It can be found in the 100 block of East Madison St.

Daniels Oil

The mural recalls a time in the past when gas stations provided full service to their customers and were a place to gather all of the community news and gossip. This mural is located in the rear parking lot of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in the 300 block of North Main St.

Drink Coca-Cola

The artist for this mural was Sonny Franks, who lives near Atlanta, Georgia. It can be found in the 300 block of North Main St.

Fire House

This mural was designed by Stephan Connor of Blackstone, IL. It is painted on the center door of our current Fire Station, and can be seen in the 200 block of West Howard St.

Humiston Heritage

The mural was designed by Gary Anderson, a sign painter from Bloomington, Indiana. It can be seen in the 300 block of West Howard St.

Jesse Fell & Chief Pontiac

Judy Grossman of Sonora, California designed both of these murals. They celebrate the history of Pontiac and can be seen in the 300 block of North Mill St.

Palace of Sweets

The mural was designed by Cam Bortz of Pawcatuck, CT. This mural is located in the rear parking lot of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in the 300 block of North Main St.

Pontiac on Route 66

The mural was designed by Tom and Kathy Durham of St. Louis Missouri. It is located in the 100 block of West Washington St.

RCA Victor

This sign pays tribute to the "walldogs" of earlier years. It was designed by the Triple Bernies - Bernie Gietl, a postal carrier in Carlinville, IL, Bernie Lohmeyer, a sign painter from Osage City, KS, and Bernie Poff, owner of Bernie's Signs in Prairie Du Sac, WI. It is located in the 200 block of West Howard St.

Roszell's Soda Shop

This mural was designed by Pontiac's own Joe Diaz. Although the representation here is fictional, it recalls an earlier time when soda fountains were staples in almost every American small town. It is located in the rear parking lot of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in the 300 block of North Main St.

Route 66 Preservation

This mural is the only indoor mural. It is located in the lobby of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. It can be found at 110 W Howard St.

Route 66 Shield Mural

This is our first mural in Pontiac. It was designed and painted by Pontiac's own Diaz Sign Art. The mural is located on the back of the Route 66 Museum. In front of the mural you can drive your car, motorcycle, or other mode of transportation, or just stand on original Route 66 bricks for a photo. Access to the mural is from Main Street in the 300 block, just off of Howard Street (IL Rt 116).

Scatterday Soda

This mural was designed by Carole Bersin. This mural is located in the alleyway leading to the rear parking lot of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum and can be seen from the 300 block of North Mill St.

Tradition of Farming

The mural was designed by Michael Clark, a resident of Aleda, Illinois where he has a sign business which he began in 1983. It can be seen in the 300 block of West Howard St.

Vermilion River & Old Mill

The Vermilion River flows in a northerly direction from its origin in Livingston and Ford Counties in north central Illinois, eventually emptying into the Illinois River, near Oglesby. This mural was designed by Francisco Vargo in his trademark postage stamp style and is fittingly located next to the Vermilion River. It can be seen from the public parking lot at the corner of Mill St and Water St.