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Images of America: Route 66 in Chicago, from Arcadia Publishing, and three articles in the Architects of Chicago’s 66 series, published in the Route 66 Federation News, were honored on Saturday, May 17, at the Illinois Women’s Press Association (IWPA) Mate E. Palmer Communications Awards luncheon in Chicago.

Images of America: Route 66 in Chicago won first place honors in the nonfiction history books category. First place in the special articles-history category for two or more articles in a series was awarded to the third and fourth installments of the on-going Architects of Chicago’s 66 series. The two installments, titled “John Root and Daniel Burnham,” and “D. H. Burnham & Company,” were published in the Summer and Autumn 2007 issues of the Route 66 Federation News. The News is the quarterly publication of the National Historic Route 66 Federation.

Concerning Route 66 in Chicago, the judges commented, “The history through images and words very successfully captures the heart and soul of an historic roadway. This is a fantastic addition to the historical canon of Route 66!”

“Wonderful, interesting history–compelling details and knowledge of subject,” were the comments of the judges in honoring the architectural series articles.

These honors, presented at the IWPA’s annual awards luncheon in Chicago, automatically enters the book and articles into the National Federation of Press Women’s (NFPW) Communications contest.

Another article in the Architects of Chicago’s 66 series, “William Le Baron Jenney,” which appeared in the Spring 2007 issue of the Route 66 Federation News, garnered second place honors in the category for feature articles appearing in a specialized circulation publication.

The IWPA, which is the Illinois affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women, was established in 1885. It is an organization of communications professionals that states its objective is “to maintain and improve the professional standards of members in mass communications in Illinois.” The awards are named for Mate E. Palmer, active member and president of the IWPA in the early 20th century. The purpose of the awards is “to improve professional skills by recognizing excellence in communicating.”

The honored book and articles were all written by David G. Clark. Full disclosure: that’s me!

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On Thursday night, January 10th, I had the pleasure to present a short talk and slide show about Route 66 to the volunteer docents of the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Ever since I moved to Chicago over 25 years ago, I have learned more about the city and its famous buildings through the programs of this fine organization than from any other resource. They offer the very best walking tours of Chicago’s Loop and neighborhoods, emphasizing the built environment yet always providing contextual background of the people and history involved.

The tours are led by volunteer docents who receive extensive training. The program is so popular that there is often a waiting list of people who would like to become volunteer docents!

The CAF also offers exhibits in the atrium lobby of the Santa Fe building, located at the northwest corner of Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue (the intersection that was the original starting point of Route 66 and a crossroads for such famous highways as the Yellowstone Trail, the Dixie Highway, the Pontiac Trail, and U.S. 12, 14, 20, 32, 34, 41, and 54). Their store at the same location offers the best selection of architecture related items and books on Chicago.

I encourage anyone coming to Chicago to take one of MY tours, but to take as many tours with the CAF as you can as well!

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