Down Da 66-- Taj Mahal-- Illinois Ghost Town-- Saga Motor Motel-- Da Gonzo Goes to Pontiac-- Sears Homes in Berwyn

News about the old road.

1. Taj Mahal comes to Oklahoma-- Travelers entering Oklahoma from the west along I-40 can now visit a brand new $6.1 million tourism information center featuring not one, but two doggie parks, one for large and one for small. In addition, visitors can unwind along walking trails and dine al fesco at covered picnic tables.

Former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh was on hand for the dedication: " It makes you proud to be an Oklahoman. This is the first impression people have of our state, and you know what they say, it's the first impression that always lasts."

The new 6,400 square foot native stone building replaces an outdated 580 square foot one. Vaulted ceilings with windows for sunlight tower above the oak trim of the interior. There are two bathrooms each for men and women, so no waiting. All are open 24 hours a day with the outside door.

The information center is open every day from 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Executive Director of the Department of Tourism, Hardy Watkins, remarked, "We've given them the Taj Mahal."

So, the next time you're cruising 66 and feel the need to go, eat, or acquire information, get on the interstate for a short while. Sounds like a place to check out.

Jan. 25th OKC Oklahoman "State opens Taj Mahal for Visitors" by Julie Bisbee.

2. Ghost Town in Illinois-- There has been some discussion about a ghost town located south of Springfield, Illinois, in the yahoo Route 66 e-mail group.

It is the old town of Cotton Hill and is located on the north shore of Lake Springfield. This grows out of an article by Carl Johnson in the Route 66 Federation News.

3. The saga of the Saga-- silverquill has posted a photo on Waymarks of the Saga Motor Motel in Pasadena, Ca., built in 1957. It is on Colorado Blvd. which used to be Route 66 and combines elements of art deco and googie architecture.

4. DaGonzo goes to Pontiac, Illinois-- Blogger Gonzo, on Jan. 30th, posted about US-66 in Pontiac, Illinois. He had photos of the Route 66 Museum, mural, and the courthouse.

He also had pictures and information on Dwight's Gothic church and train station.

On Jan. 31st, he featured the State Police Station south of Pontiac.

Well worth a look and read. http://fromthegonzo.wordpress.com

5. Sears Houses in Berwyn, Illinois-- In a city better known for its famous bungalow homes, a fight is brewing between Berwyns government and the Berwyn Historical Preservation Commission. The city council recently approved the demolition of a Sears House at 6501 27th Place without consulting the commission, which was established in 2006.

Rebecca Hunter, an architectural historian from Elgin who specializes in mail-order buildings said, "They're rare (and) this appears to be the only country in the whole world that ever marketed pre-cut kit homes ao it's a special thing in American architecture and American ingenuity at its best."

There are also 13 other Sears homes that have been identified in Berwyn.

Feb. 14th Berwyn Life "Preservation commission works to save home" by Cari Brokamp.

Keep on Down that Two Lane Highway. --RoadDog