Goodbye Meramec Caverns Barn Sign in Hamel-- Part 2

No trip on Route 66 for us is complete without a stop at Rich Henry's Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, located on the 1930-1943 alignment of Route 66.

Rich was our first encounter with Route 66 folk back when we were getting hooked in 2002. Rich and Big Red, who is taking on Montana's greeting and post card-stamping duties, greeted us. Always great to visit with him and the wascally wabbits.

As usual, we talked 66 and told him about the sad shape of the Meramec Caverns barn. He was unaware of it and said it must have happened over the previous weekend when the whole area from St. Louis to Litchfield experienced some horrendous winds and that must have been what caused it to collapse.

The owners evidently didn't care to make any effort on their part to help keep the barn preserved. If someone else didn't do it, there it sat. Rich and the the Illinois Association had tried to get them to apply for grants, but the owners would do nothing unless somebody else did it for them.

Sad to have owners of a historical site who don't have any incentive to try to save it.

Oh, Well, Maybe They Can get the Owners of the Round Barn south of Springfield to Allow a Sign to Be Painted on It. --RoadDog