Down Da 66--Close Calls in Springfield, Il--Bunion Derby Book--Witmor Farms

Some News from the Mother Road.

1. The fire department was called out twice in Springfield, Illinois to two historic sites on January 4th. According to the State Journal-Register, little damage was done at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana-Thomas House from a fire in the carriage house which houses the visitors center and gift shop. It is believed it was caused by a boiler malfunction.

Later, they were called to to Union Station where the sprinkler system lost pressure and set off a fire alarm. Quite a bit of water fell, but only did minor damage. Union station serves as the visitors center for the city and the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library which is across the street.

Both of these sites should be on the itinerary for any trip to Springfield, be it a Lincoln or Route 66 thing.

2. There is a new book on the 1928 Bunion Derby by Charles B. Kastner. He will be meeting to discuss the book and do signings Tuesday at Elliott Bay Book Co. in Seattle, Washington.

3. The long-closed Witmor Farms in Buckhorn, Missouri will be annexed to Waynesville, Missouri to provide city services. William J. Peach, a Rolla car-dealer has bought the property with plans to redevelop it as a restaurant and other uses.

Waynesville can do this because it had previously annexed Highway 17 in 1999. Waynesville, St. Robert, and Crocker have been annexing land along state highways. Highway 17 is also known as Route 66.

Glad to hear that Witmor Farms will be reopening. It's been closed every time we've been by it.

A bit of the history of the place from David Wickline's "Images of 66." It was the very first store in the Nickerson Farm Restaurant chain from 1960-1979. I.J. Nickerson was once a partner of W.S. Stuckey, of Stuckey's, but a difference of opinion sent them on their different ways. Nickerson's featured Skelley Gasoline and had bee hives for fresh honey.

From 1980-1987 it was Ted Williams Steakhouse and from 1988-2005, it was Witmor Farms.

Keep on Down hat Two Lane Highway. --RoadDog