Down Da 66-- Da Spindle's Comin' Down-- Da Mill Gets Windows-- Plainfied ReRouting-- Joliet Gets Honors

News from along the Mother Road. Illinois Style

1. Berwyn's Spindle just a matter of time-- Sad news from Berwyn, where the popular tourist attraction at Cermack Plaza is slated to be taken down for a...Walgreens!!! Can you believe that? A Walgreens replacing something of architectural interest. Just corporate morals I guess. Whether it will be saved and moved to another site is still up in the air.

A valiant effort was mounted to save it, but alas, Walgreens money came out on top. From the sounds of it, the 50-year-old shopping center is in bad need of updating with lots of empty stores and graffiti.

Let's hope they move it to some other site. Best case scenario would be to move it to a spot on Route 66.

2. Lincoln's Mill to get new windows-- Great news here, Geoffrey Ladd announced that the 1929-era "Mill" will be getting $18,000 worth of new windows, something sorely needed. This popular Route 66 eating spot was saved from demolition by a community effort

The money comes from the Danner Trust and a big tip of the old cap to them.

Ladd also announced that volunteer work day on the mill will be May 10th. Let's all put on our grubs and do some work.

One big problem is that the Mill is on a corner, and we know who covets corners. See Berwyn.

3. Plainfield Rerouting US-30-- The Village of Plainfield, one of the two places the Lincoln Highway and Route 66 intersect, has moved US-30 from the main street, called Lockport Street. There are major plans for renovation to turn the main street area into a haven for shopping, dining, and historic preservation, ala Geneva, Illinois.

4. Joliet gets state honors for 66 work-- The Joliet Visitors Bureau did well in the Illinois Conference on Tourism, picking up three awards for its Route 66 campaign. This is one city that is really aware of and intent on pushing its Route 66 heritage. Hats off to them as well.

Keep on Down that Two Lane Highway. --RoadDog