Lincoln, Illinois/ Route 66 Stuff: The Mill

The Lincoln Courier reports that the 1874 Hoblit House will be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was owned by the same family for a hundred years and is in the Italianate style of architecture.

THE BACK OF THE MILL COMES DOWN

The June 18th Lincoln Courier reports that one part of The Mill restaurant was taken down over the weekend.

Brian Huffman, grandson of the owners said, "This is the end of an era."

The original 1929 structure that is shaped like a Dutch windmill and the post WWII addition that was originally an army barracks remain. This business dates back to the earliest days of Route 66 and was famous for its schnitzel. It closed in 1996.

Since then, it has been allowed to slowly disintegrate and become an "intriguing eyesore". I know the place is a definite stop whenever we pass through Lincoln. Primarily, I wanted to see if it was still standing. There is something about an old, barely standing, structure that really gets me. I think of the history we're about to lose.

It is definitely a unique building, one that we came close to losing, but thanks to a group of involved and concerned citizens, it will be around for a long time. Plans presently call for the refurbished place to be used primarily as a tourist photo op.

Just More Stuff to See in Lincoln. --RoadDog

THIS DAY IN AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY- 1949- NASCAR- the first Grand National was held at the Charlotte, NC, Fairgrounds- considered to be the birth of NASCAR racing as we know it today.