What is the connection between Louis Chevrolet and the Desert Classic race of 1914, Abraham Lincoln, the great American road trip, the marriage of Clark Gable and Carol Lombard, Edsel Ford’s cross country adventure in 1915, restored neon signage, and Route 66? Give up? They are all historical elements that a savvy community can use to revitalize an historic district and create a long term economic development strategy.

Blending history, a strong sense of community, and tourism to thrive is a key to the succesful linking of heads in beds with economic development. And if that community has a Route 66 connection, the fast approaching centennial is an unprecedented opportunity to blend those elements into a powerful engine for community revitalization.

At Jim Hinckley’s America, we’re all about telling the stories of America’s towns, big and small, through the lens of history, culture, and community. We’re passionate about inspiring others to explore these destinations, build vibrant local economies, and find ways to blend tourism with long-term growth.

A perfect example of what can be accomplished by linking tourism with economic development is Pontiac, Illinois. This is a small rural town that has reinvented itself through tourism, bringing prosperity and investment back to its historic roots.

Pontiac, Illinois: A Town Reborn Through Tourism

Once a moribund town with a bleak future that was struggling to survive , Pontiac, Illinois is now a beacon for tourists and investors, thanks to a strong sense of community, historic preservation, and smart, tourism-driven economic development. The town’s journey from near obscurity to a thriving destination serves as a roadmap for communities across the country seeking to tap into the power of tourism.

The Pontiac Transformation: Building a Destination Community

Pontiac’s turnaround began with visionary leadership that inspired and provided the town with a sense of excitement about the future. As the sense of community grew, residents, business owners, and local officials realized that the town’s charm, rich history, and strategic location on Route 66 could serve as a catalyst for growth. By focusing on historic preservation and branding their community as a Route 66 gem, Pontiac attracted new businesses and tourists alike. Key strategies that contributed to this revitalization include:

• Leveraging Historic Assets: Pontiac embraced its rich history and historic architecture, preserving buildings that reflect the town’s past while investing in revitalizing the downtown area. From classic diners to colorful murals the town’s charm became a key selling point.
• Connecting with Route 66 Tourism: Pontiac’s location on the iconic Route 66 highway was a natural asset, and the town leaned into its connection to the “Mother Road” to create special events, museum exhibits, and Route 66-themed tours. This not only brought in traffic but also served as a magnet for investors looking to establish a business that catered to tourists as well as locals.
• Community Engagement: Pontiac’s success is largely due to the community’s investment in creating a welcoming atmosphere. Events were organized in a manner that supported local businesses while creating a strong sense of local pride and that made visitors feel welcome.
• Profiting from Famous Associations: The town capitalized on its association with famous historic figures such as President Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The city linked local landmarks with historical moments and celebrities such as Bob Waldmire that were associated with Route 66. By crafting narratives and illustrating them with murals, Pontiac was able to market itself as a must-see destination for travelers.

Pontiac’s transition from a town on the decline to a vibrant tourist destination is a testament to the fact that tourism can be the cornerstone of community revitalization. By focusing on their history, their assets, and their community spirit, Pontiac has become a living example of how tourism can drive economic development.

How Communities Can Leverage Their Assets to Foster Economic Development

The key takeaway from Pontiac’s success story is this: tourism and community development go hand-in-hand. Communities looking to replicate this model can evaluate several key assets in Pontiac that were used to build a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that draws visitors and investors:

1. Historic Connections: Every community has a history to tell, whether it’s through famous personalities, historic events, or cultural landmarks. The trick is in finding creative and innovative ways to weave those stories into the fabric of the town’s tourism efforts.
2. Famous Personalities and Events: Whether it’s Hollywood movie stars, authors, artists, or obscure historical figures, linking your community to these famous names and moments can significantly increase the allure of a place. Take Kingman, Arizona, for example. THis dusty desert crossroads is home to fascinating connections with Route 66, early aviation, literature, Arizona history, and Hollywood.

Kingman, Arizona: A Community of Stars, Stories, and Cinematic History

Kingman, Arizona, has its own rich tapestry of history that makes it a vibrant destination. Known for its inclusion in the song about getting your kicks on Route 66, Kingman is also home to unique connections with famous personalities and Hollywood films. By tapping into these associations, Kingman Main Street has crafted a compelling tourism narrative, drawing visitors from around the world with Kingman Tours.

Famous Figures Linked to Kingman:

• Andy Devine: Known for his distinctive voice, Devine was a leading character actor in dozens of movies, was a pioneer in development of children’s television programs, and even played a role in WWII aviation. In Kingman his legacy continues to be celebrated in Kingman. But there are lots of additional ways that his connection to the town can be highlighted in tourism promotions and events.
• Clark Gable: Hollywood’s King of Romance has ties to Kingman. In March of 1939, during a break while filming, Gone with the Wind, Gable and Carol Lombard married in Kingman. Featured as a point of interest in the narrated self guided walking tour that is the focal point of the Kingman Tours project, the church where they married is but one example of local trivia and Hollywood history that can be used to market Kingman as a movie history destination.
• Gretor Garbo, Pamela Anderson, Bob Boze Bell, Edsel Ford, Judge Reinhold, Buster Keaton, Charles Lindbergh: These stars that have a Kingman connection are also woven into the Kingman Tours experience. But there is more that can be done to create fun and interactive experiences for visitors.
• Movies Filmed in KIngman: An array of major motion pictures have been filmed in Kingman and the surrounding area including Ace of the Saddle, 1918, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. These are additional components in the linking of tourism and economic development.

Enhancing Kingman Tourism: Ideas to Leverage Hollywood and Historical Associations

The challenge for Kingman is to make the most of these famous associations. Here are a few thoughts on these elements could be used to create a unique experience:

1. Movie Tour Experiences: Develop movie-themed tours.
2. Celebrity Walk of Fame: Create a celebrity walk that showcases a community’s celebrity connection. A self-guided tour using QR code technology can educate visitors, increase foot traffic, and showcase the community.
3. Themed Events: Build events around themed parades, or film festivals.
4. Film Location Markers: Install informative markers at key locations in where scenes from classic films were shot, creating an interactive experience for visitors and allowing them to connect with Hollywood history in a new way.

Jim Hinckley’s America: Helping Communities Build Tourism and Economic Growth

At Jim Hinckley’s America, we are deeply committed to helping communities harness the power of tourism to help build a sense of community and to foster economic development. Through speaking engagements, custom built community education programs, and customized tourism consulting, we work with towns across the United States to build their unique tourism narratives.

Our recent attendance at the New Mexico Governor’s Hospitality and Tourism Conference in May was just one example of how we bring communities together to share best practices, promote local assets, and foster sustainable tourism development. Additionally, our work in magnifying marketing initiatives in Cuba, Missouri, assisting with development of a visitors gguide Tucumcari, New Mexico, and then with Kingman Main Street in developing Kingman Tours are just a few examples of how we can help communities turn their historic districts and tourism assets into vibrant economic engines.

As a consultant for Two Lane America, RouteTrip USA, and Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours, we are proud to be part of a network that supports local tourism development. Our partnership with Jim Hinckley’s America sponsors allows us to provide on-the-ground insights and help communities grow their tourism sectors.

Get Involved with Jim Hinckley’s America

If you are looking to bring tourism development to your community, become a Jim Hinckley’s America sponsor. Or if you want to explore how our programs can enhance your local economy, we invite you to reach out. Whether it’s through community education, tourism planning, or speaking engagements, we’re here to help you tell your community’s story in a way that inspires visitors and attracts investors.

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Let’s make your community a destination!