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D&D Travel's Illinois Route 66 Journey, continued... |
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In Odell, John Weiss and his late wife Lenore began a "Save Odell Station" campaign in 1996. Above is the fabulous result of that effort! On the National Register of Historic Places, the 1932 Standard Oil Filling Station is a prime example of the restoration committee's efforts all along Illinois Route 66... |
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Inside the old filling station...a vintage radio and Coke machine! |
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Just outside, a classic 1953 travel trailer on display, no doubt pulled along many miles of the Mother Road... |
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Back in the heyday of 66, barns were often painted with signs to direct travelers to the many roadside attractions along the way... The above barn was restored in 1998...Meramec Caverns would offer farmers a free paint job in exchange for the sign...not a bad deal! These caverns are actually located in Missouri and are still open to visitors, much like the Grand Canyon Caverns on Old Route 66 near Seligman, Arizona! |
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The Log Cabin - a real gem from 1926, sits along Route 66 just south of Cayuga. The Mother Road ran between the cabin and the railroad tracks...that is until a newer 4-lane bypass of 66 (then known as Illinois Route 4) was built. The entire restaurant was then moved around to face the new roadway and still serves good food to the 66 traveler! |
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Another beautiful example of mural art along the road... |
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Burma Shave Sign - the "last words" in a series of witty (?) "sayings" that consisted of 6 or so signs, each with several words, but always ending in a plug for the product! These were very common all along Route 66 during its lifetime! |
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An abandoned stretch of 66 sports a fine example of the old style guard rails that were common along the route so long ago... |
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The "Poor Farm" Cemetery - The graveyard is completely surrounded by farm fields. Livingston County residents with no money were buried here from 1877 to 1934. The site was part of the Almshouse, built by the county in 1859 to provide a home for people who were poor, mentally or physically ill. In 2004, the cemetery was restored by local citizens, which included a marker along Old Route 66. |
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A stiff west wind blows across the sparse cemetery landscape and its grave markers... |
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A beautifully restored sign in downtown Chenoa, Illinois |
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At dusk along 66, a pony seemed excited to see us as we drove alongside this farm... |
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As luck would have it, we once again ran into John Weiss and friends Bob and Carol, but this time on a street corner in downtown Pontiac, Illinois - where they were talking with Mayor Bob Russell and wife Susan!! After joining in, we were treated to a special tour of the new home of the Route 66 Association of Illinois' Hall of Fame Museum, just around the corner. This is a place not to be missed along the Mother Road...Pontiac is one of the nicest places we visited during our journey. In fact, it was the location for the motion picture "Grandview USA." Below, you will see many of the fine murals painted on the sides of downtown buildings, all within a few blocks of each other...it makes for a great walking tour, along with the 1875 Courthouse (gorgeous) and several "swinging bridges" over the Vermillion River...Enjoy: |
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A portrait of Robert Waldmire - Artist and Route 66 "expert." Bob passed away several years ago, but was instrumental in many of the Mother Roads' preservation efforts. We had the pleasure of meeting him at his home at the time - a museum and general store/visitors center on Old Route 66 in Hackberry, Arizona, a few years before he passed...He was quite a character and a fabulous Route 66 artist! More about Bob in upcoming images. |
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The famous "hole in the sidewalk" mural, opposite the courthouse... |
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A final piece of mural art...Pontiac is also the home of the Walldog Mural & Sign Art Museum on North Mill Street - showcasing the talents of the artists who created these early signs and murals in a number of America's small towns and cities...A fascinating place to visit! |
