ROUTE 66
ATTRACTIONS
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
ATTRACTIONS
| Route
66 Attractions in Logan County:
Come with us as we take you on a road trip through Logan County, Illinois, traveling on historic Route 66. We’ll start in Atlanta, IL and end with Elkhart, IL, moving from north to south.
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The Railsplitter Covered Wagon has moved to Lincoln, Illinois. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
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Though small in stature itself, the town of Atlanta, IL boasts a very large resident. The name that his neighbors have given him is Tall Paul, and he is a statue that now graces a donated lot between Race St. and Vine St. in Atlanta. This tall statue holds a hot dog in remembrance of his old job, but is now on permanent loan to the small town from the family who owned the Berwyn restaurant. |
| Another feature of Atlanta, IL is the J. H. Hawes Grain Elevator. The wooden elevator was built in 1904, and is one of the few wooden elevators still standing. The structure is 60 feet tall, and now operates as a museum. Located just a block off of historic Route 66, this is one attraction not to be missed. |
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The Tropics Dining Room and Cocktail Lounge opened its doors in 1950 at the hand of Vince Schwenoha. While it might seem odd that a restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois be named after a location that is so different, it was actually named this way because of a tour of duty in the military that took Mr. Schwenoha to Hawaii. In the 1950’s, the Tropics became famous for the Tropicburger, a combination of one bun and two hamburger patties that Mr. Schwenoha had brought back from California. In the years since then, the Tropics has traded hands many times, remained open for business for quite some time. Unfortunately, the building now stands unused, and for sale. |
| The Mill in Lincoln opened in 1929 under
the name of the Blue Mill, on Stringer Avenue. It’s proprietor
was Paul Coddington, who would serve patrons grilled sandwiches at any
hour of the day or night. A Dutch themed building with blue trim,
it featured at revolving windmill and waitresses dressed in blue with white
aprons. In 1945, Albert and Blossom Huffman purchased the building,
added a barroom and dance hall, and then painted the building barn red.
Over the years, the restaurant became famous for it’s fried schnitzel,
originally made of veal, and later of pork. By the mid 1980’s the
Mill had lost most of the Dutch themed interior, and was becoming a museum
of rather strange objects, including a mechanical leg protruding from a
hole in the ceiling. The Mill closed in 1996, however the building
is still standing in its original location.
RECENT Developments:
Group
forms to resurrect The Mill
Visit Leigh Henson's website for more information on this site! |
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When most people mention the Ghost Bridge of Lincoln, they assume that it is a bridge haunted by ghosts. However, they couldn’t be more wrong. In the language of “roadies” anything abandoned is now a ghost. Hence the reason an abandoned bridge that was once a part of Route 66 is now called the Salt Creek “Ghost Bridge” in Lincoln, IL. Though mainly unreachable from the North, the Southern approach is accessible with a short walk. This bridge once crossed Salt Creek very near to what is now the Memorial Park, in Lincoln, IL. |
| This is an unmarked and largely un-noticed section of the original Route 4/66 that runs through Lincoln, IL. Located on the North end of Kickapoo St. this section of Route 66 lies behind Graue Chevrolet. |
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The Postville Courthouse in Lincoln, IL
is an historic reproduction of an 8th Circuit Courthouse that Abraham Lincoln
once practiced law in. Located on one of the historic sections of Route
66, it is easily accessible, and is open for tours on most days.
Visit Historic Downtown Lincoln along Rt. 66 for many other attractions as well. |
| When it originally opened in Broadwell, IL in 1937, the Pig Hip Restaurant was actually named the Harbor Inn. The Pig Hip ham sandwich, served with a secret sauce of owner Ernie Edward’s making, became an instant hit. In 1990, the Pig Hip Restaurant Museum in Broadwell, IL was born. The museum was lost to a fire in 2007, but there is now a marker to memorialize this Route 66 icon. |
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The gas station in Elkhart, IL is one that has a rather sad ending. The only gas station in Elkhart, located right on Route 66 recently closed down. This building is actually a landmark of Route 66, and the city and the Route 66 Preservation Committee has been trying to restore the building, and bring it back to life. |
Visit www.illinoisroute66.org for more Route 66 information.
