Historic Route 66 was as much about the journey as the destination, and such was the case as #Adventure Caravans began to drive the road in our RVs, from Joliet to Pontiac. Route 66 is a two lane road, meandering through the small towns of central Illinois. Dwight was one such town along the road, and we all made a stop to take in a bit of its history.
One of the most interesting stops in Dwight, IL was the old Amber-Becker Texaco station. It operated longer than any other gas station on Route 66 and is on the National Historic Record. The station was owned by local families for 66 years, from 1933-1999. Flats were fixed, breakdowns towed, and at times, the spirits of weary travelers were restored. It was apparent from the many pins in the maps on the wall that visitors from all over the world have stopped to view this icon. Still on display, are the last pumps to be used on Route 66…from Illinois to California.
The town of Dwight is small, so large RV parking lots do not exist. However, local businesses were kind to our caravan which includes both small and large RVs. Thank you, Dwight, IL! Though we do not convoy from one town to the next, it's not at all unusual for us to meet up along the road --- and lunch becomes part of the rendezvous. Dwight is home to the Old 66 Family Restaurant, and many of us found comfort food there. Burgers, grilled cheese, fish, soups… and desserts. On the outside wall of the Old 66 Family Restaurant was one of the many murals we would see on the route.
After a pleasant visit, and lunch in Dwight, we continued toward Pontiac. Shortly after our arrival at the 4-H campground, Mayor Bob and his staff came to welcome us and to tell us about this weekend's happenings in Pontiac. The GTO Association of America was in town for a car show and other events. Also, the local museums were open: the Pontiac Museum, the War Museum, the Gilding Arts Museum, the Route 66 Museum, as well as two historic homes….all in the downtown area. There would be a dinner show at Chautauqua Park, with all proceeds going to charity. Our tour of Pontiac began with a trolley tour. Our driver was the retired police chief, and he's obviously proud of this community of 12,000. Pontiac has become somewhat of a tourist attraction on Route 66, and he was eager to show us its downtown highlights.
In their enthusiasm for Route 66, the town of Pontiac invited a number of artists to the town to paint 22 wall murals around the town. The artists became known as "Wall Dogs", honoring both their work and the legendary Route 66 preservationist, artist, and hippie Bob Waldmire.
Bob Waldmire had planned his own Route 66 mural for the town of Pontiac. His untimely death prevented him from completing his contribution to the town, but family and friends came to paint the mural as Bob had planned. In the background of the mural are the handprints of more than 200 participants who worked in shifts, painting and remembering this unique Route 66 man.
 |
| The Roszell's Soda Fountain mural. |
 |
| Murals are found throughout the downtown in Pontiac, IL . |
 |
| The Drink Coca-Cola mural in Pontiac, IL. |
In addition to the beautiful murals in downtown Pontiac, there were interesting museums.
 |
| The War Museum |
This old city hall/ fire department has been repurposed into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Museum and the War Museum. The War Museum is designed to honor the men and women of Livingston county who have faithfully and bravely served in all branches of the American Armed Forces. Each veteran is celebrated and his or her uniform displayed. The War Museum is staffed by volunteer veterans and their families.
The Route 66 Museum holds the largest collection of Route 66 memorabilia in Illinois. Among its most famous artifacts is the Bob Waldmire bus. A quick tour through the converted school bus gives one a glimpse of the man who dedicated much of his life traveling and documenting Route 66 with his art. Within the bus, are the books and personal belongings of Bob Waldmire. He was a reader of the philosophies of John Dewey, Aristotle, Mark Twain, and Plato. His holdings also included books about protecting the environment. A fascinating mobile dwelling for a most unique individual!
The Pontiac Musem, across the street from the courthouse, is one of the greatest and most expansive collections of Pontiac and Oakland automobile artifacts. There are antique and classic cars, dealer promotional items, model car kits, and more.
Chautauqua Park was a beautiful stop on our trolley tour of Pontiac. The 26 acre park has a chautauqua pavilion for theatre and other events, picnic pavilions, a disc golf course, and one of Pontiac's three swinging bridges spanning the Vermillion River. Mo the Monkey, mascot for our caravan, was especially happy that Pat Whittaker took him onto the big seining bridge.
The Jason W. Strevell House on Livingston Street is the only remaining house in Livingston County where Abraham Lincoln spent considerable time. We were told a story about Lincoln's height being measured and marked on the inside of the front door's jam. As preservation of the house began, a search for the original door commenced. The door was located in Oregon but has not been returned to the home of Lincoln's friend
Filled with hospitality, and obviously, his city's greatest cheerleader, Mayor bob Russell invited us to a pasta and chicken dinner in the Chautauqua Pavilion, followed by a musical revue by local singers. A fun evening to end our weekend in Pontiac, IL. Thanks, Mayor Bob! We had a great time in Pontiac!!!
Most in our caravan, will drive their RVs on down Route 66 to our next destination, but these cute little Pontiac cars could be a lot of fun on the Mother Road!
Historic Route 66 was as much about the journey as the destination, and such was the case as #Adventure Caravans began to drive the road in our RVs, from Joliet to Pontiac. Route 66 is a two lane road, meandering through the small towns of central Illinois. Dwight was one such town along the road, and we all made a stop to take in a bit of its history. 
One of the most interesting stops in Dwight, IL was the old Amber-Becker Texaco station. It operated longer than any other gas station on Route 66 and is on the National Historic Record. The station was owned by local families for 66 years, from 1933-1999. Flats were fixed, breakdowns towed, and at times, the spirits of weary travelers were restored. It was apparent from the many pins in the maps on the wall that visitors from all over the world have stopped to view this icon. Still on display, are the last pumps to be used on Route 66…from Illinois to California. 
In their enthusiasm for Route 66, the town of Pontiac invited a number of artists to the town to paint 22 wall murals around the town. The artists became known as "Wall Dogs", honoring both their work and the legendary Route 66 preservationist, artist, and hippie Bob Waldmire.
Bob Waldmire had planned his own Route 66 mural for the town of Pontiac. His untimely death prevented him from completing his contribution to the town, but family and friends came to paint the mural as Bob had planned. In the background of the mural are the handprints of more than 200 participants who worked in shifts, painting and remembering this unique Route 66 man. 
This old city hall/ fire department has been repurposed into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Museum and the War Museum. The War Museum is designed to honor the men and women of Livingston county who have faithfully and bravely served in all branches of the American Armed Forces. Each veteran is celebrated and his or her uniform displayed. The War Museum is staffed by volunteer veterans and their families. 
The Route 66 Museum holds the largest collection of Route 66 memorabilia in Illinois. Among its most famous artifacts is the Bob Waldmire bus. A quick tour through the converted school bus gives one a glimpse of the man who dedicated much of his life traveling and documenting Route 66 with his art. Within the bus, are the books and personal belongings of Bob Waldmire. He was a reader of the philosophies of John Dewey, Aristotle, Mark Twain, and Plato. His holdings also included books about protecting the environment. A fascinating mobile dwelling for a most unique individual! 
The Pontiac Musem, across the street from the courthouse, is one of the greatest and most expansive collections of Pontiac and Oakland automobile artifacts. There are antique and classic cars, dealer promotional items, model car kits, and more. 
Chautauqua Park was a beautiful stop on our trolley tour of Pontiac. The 26 acre park has a chautauqua pavilion for theatre and other events, picnic pavilions, a disc golf course, and one of Pontiac's three swinging bridges spanning the Vermillion River. Mo the Monkey, mascot for our caravan, was especially happy that Pat Whittaker took him onto the big seining bridge. 
Filled with hospitality, and obviously, his city's greatest cheerleader, Mayor bob Russell invited us to a pasta and chicken dinner in the Chautauqua Pavilion, followed by a musical revue by local singers. A fun evening to end our weekend in Pontiac, IL. Thanks, Mayor Bob! We had a great time in Pontiac!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment