Visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac, IL

Hearing the words “Pontiac” and “Route 66” might bring to your mind images of cruising down the road in a luxurious American-made automobile. Pontiac, IL, might have nothing to do with the car marque, but the city is intricately linked to Route 66—for motorcyclists and car drivers alike.

Well, that’s not actually entirely correct. Pontiac the car brand and Pontiac the city both get their name from the same person.

In 1837, the newly founded town was named after the Odawa warchief Obwaandi’eyaag, whose name is anglicized as Pontiac. It’s a bit of an odd choice, as the Native American leader never lived in or even visited this area.

But hey, it’s a good name.