GRANITE CITY, Ill. (KMOX) - It's a walk down memory lane in Granite City, Illinois.
The golden oldies were playing in downtown Granite City and classic cars shown-off as dozens turned out to celebrate the nostalgia of Route 66 and the part Granite City played in The Mother Road's history.
On Thursday night, Granite City tourism leaders unveiled the new Route 66 Neon Sign Park at 19th and Delmar.
Scott Bringet of Ace Sign Company in central Illinois restored three of the town's iconic business signs: Hudson Jewelers, Reese Drug Store, and the Washington Theatre.
"(There was) a lot of craftsmanship, a lot of frustration, hard and time. Also a lot of breaking of glass and a lot of figuring it out," Bringet joked.
"You can't recreate the look of glass, neon and the actual neon gasses that create that glow other than the real deal."
Brenda Whitaker, the local tourism director, was one of the driving forces behind the project to being back the iconic business signs.
"Our goal is to showcase what we have, bring people in and once they come in from Route 66, we can really show them what it's all about," said Whitaker.
There's even a replica version of the old Chain of Rocks Bridge where people can place combination locks called "locks of love" in honor or memory of family members in Granite City.
A state tourism grant covered the cost of the new park.