A Cruise Along Route 66, The Red Carpet Corridor-- December 31st

Got gas in Pontiac, usually the cheapest in this area, for $1.57. Evidently, Big Oil is getting their way again as the Freedom station a block away from Thorntons was at $1.72. Now that barrels prices are rising, it's time to sock it to us again.

About nine cars at the Old Log Cabin. The Merramec Caverns sign on the barn north of Pontiac looks a lot better since the Route 66 Association of Illinois' Preservation Committee got out to work on it this last summer.


ODELL AND DWIGHT

The Standard station in Odell was closed. Always like that beautiful church and the the tunnel entrance that was restored across the street. In the old days, Route 66 was so busy through there it was dangerous to cross, so a tunnel was built under the road to allow kids to get to school. Again, the Route 66 Association of Illinois' Preservation Committee worked on it to bring back this memory.

Still sad to think of all that great auto paraphernalia is gone from Smaterjax, the old Fedderson's, in Dwight. Great story as to how Smaterjax got it's name though. The owners had a dog named Jax. Whenever they came home, they'd say, "Whats the matter, Jax. It is still housed, however, in an old auto dealership dating back to Route 66 days. Plus, there is that great buffet.

The Old Route 66 Family Restaurant was doing a brisk business and the old Ambler-Becker station never looked better, but was closed as usual. Glad to see Dwight FINALLY got around to restenciling their famous Route 66 shields at the south and north ends as well as by the gas station. I've often thought it would be neat to own one of the old homes along the one stretch of 66 past the station. Sad to see the drive-in at the north end didn't make a go of it.

Dwight and Odell both have a series of Burma Shave-like signs welcoming you to their fair communities.


GARDNER AND THE RIVIERA

Gardner is a town that is really pursuing its Route 66 heritage. There are now lots of Route 66 shields on the pavement with directional arrows. Plus, now, the first alignment through downtown is marked. Before, you just took the bypass.

Of course, the Riviera is north of town. At 11 AM, it wasn't crowded at all. Not open either, but at least not wall-to-wall. The drop in temperatures last night had frozen the parking lot. Took several pictures of the place and that neat old Schlitz Beer sign then bid a fond adieu of the place.

More to Come. --RoadDog