While named after the Ottowan chieftain who led Pontiac’s rebellion in the 1760s, Pontiac, IL, is largely influenced by the addition of Route 66 when it was established in 1926. Today, this community hub of over 11,000 people is rated the best place to live in Livingston County by Niche.com and has become a popular tourist destination for its automobile shows, public murals and historical attractions. “We’re well known for our tourism around Route 66,” says Liz Vincent, city director of community enrichment. “I like to think this is the quintessential Route 66 stop."
Pontiac is considered a quintessential stop on the historic Route 66.
Nearly every building in Pontiac has a mural for residents to enjoy.
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Diverse and affordable housing
With its cost of living rated an A-minus on Niche.com, Pontiac has a median sale price of $141,250, well below the state and national median. Most of the available housing has traditional architecture and vinyl-siding exteriors, although there are also a few bungalows and manufactured homes as well. “There are newer subdivisions with more higher-end luxury homes, but then there are some areas that have old, beautiful historic homes,” Liz says. “It’s very neighborhood-based.”
Pontiac homes come in a variety of architectural styles.
The downtown area in Pontiac features a number of high-end custom homes.
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Museums about America’s Mother Road
Pontiac is notable for having nine museums in its city limits. The biggest of these is the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, which has thousands of memorabilia from Will Rogers’ highway. The Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum features several antique and classic cars, and the life of Route 66 cartographer Bob Waldmire is immortalized forever in the Pontiac Museum Complex.
Pontiac's Auto Museum is a favorite among locals and tourists.
People come from all over the country to visit Pontiac's Route 66 Museum.
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A booming historic downtown
Centered around the 19th-century Livingston County Courthouse, Downtown Pontiac has over 75 local businesses ranging from apparel stores to antique shops. It also has around 35 bars and restaurants, with establishments ranging from smokehouses to family-owned pizzerias. “Our downtown is walkable and very beautiful,” Liz says. “We’ve got some great boutiques in town – great places to get presents.” Local grocery stores include Aldi, Walmart and County Market. Specialty items are also available at the Acres Inn market.
Downtown Pontiac features a number of restaurants including the popular Acres Inn.
Colorful boutique shops line the streets of Downtown Pontiac.
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Public spaces for community festivals
There’s a festival to look forward to for every season in Pontiac. Every May brings the Swinging Bridges Arts Festival, a two-day event where local artists lead live demonstrations and sell their handcrafted pieces, while the annual regional car show is one of the largest in the area with over 200 vehicles. Local dining gets the spotlight in the Taste of Pontiac event every October, and special events are held at the Eagle Performing Arts Center, a multi-use venue that used to be the first movie house in the city. “We utilize that space for whatever you can think of – weddings, receptions, conferences, meetings, community theater,” Liz says. “It’s a great public space and a great asset for our community.”
Your kids will love the playground at Humiston-Riverside Park.
Baseball is available for all ages at Pontiac RecPlex Baseball Fields.
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A Pontiac education
Overseeing four elementary campuses and one middle school campus, the Pontiac School District 429 was rated a C on Niche.com, earning its highest marks on its diversity and food offerings. Pontiac High School earned a B on Niche.com and was rated the second-best high school in Livingston County. There’s also plenty of private education options nearby, including St. Paul School, St. Mary’s School and Grace Christian School.
The athletics at Pontiac Township High School are some of the best in the area.
Students are the highest priority at Central Elementary School.
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Transportation services from Chicago to St. Louis
The city has its own Amtrak station, with the Lincoln service starting at Chicago Union Station and running through to St. Louis, Missouri. The SHOW Bus also provides public transportation and serves Livingston and surrounding counties. The OSF Saint James – John W. Albrecht Medical Center offers 24-hour emergency care for local residents, and the closest commercial airport is the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington.
Weather & Crime
Pontiac sees mild summers and freezing winters, with average summer high temperatures being 83 degrees and average winter low temperatures being 22 degrees. The area also sees an average of 24 inches of snowfall every year, with city crews cleaning the streets when it builds up to more than 2 inches. Both violent and property crime is below state and national averages, and the city has a correctional center that houses around 1,600 inmates.
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