Illinois Route 66's Abe Down, But Not Out-- Part 1

From the Feb. 2, 2014, Chicago Tribune "Small-town Lincoln attraction damaged" by Joan Cary.

Considered the town's biggest roadside attraction, the world's largest covered wagon was blown over Jan. 26th by 55+ an hour winds, but the driver, Abraham Lincoln, was uninjured. Well, his statue is still sitting there reading that law book.

The 24-foot tall wagon located on Route 66, is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest covered wagon and a 2010 Reader's Digest magazine readers' poll named it the #1 roadside attraction in the U.S.. (It's neat, but not that neat.)

Plans are underway to repaint it, but that won't be easy as the wagon weighs five tons and has two broken wheels: one 10-foot and the other 12-foot high. But they expect to have it up in Lincoln, Illinois, between Bloomington-Normal and Springfield, by the start of the summer tourist season.

If I remember correctly, it sits out in front of the Abraham Lincoln Motel, now part of the Best Western chain and it has meen completely renovated.

Good Idea to Repair It. I Was Surprised When the town of Divernon, south of Springfield, Let It Leave for Lincoln.

Old Abe Would be So Proud. --RoadDog