Along 66, Dec. 2017: Joliet Correctional Center and Ron Warnick

From the Route 66 News Site.

DECEMBER 22--   Joliet, Illinois, strikes deal to rent out old Joliet Correctional Center.  There will be a five-year lease to take some responsibility for the long-closed and deteriorating structure built in 1858.

Perhaps a bed and breakfast?  Sleep where John Belushi slept?

DECEMBER 30--  Editor of the Route 66 News, Ron Warnick, is moving to Tucumcari, New Mexico.  He and his wife have long wanted to live there and she has a teaching job.

When I saw that the Blue Swallow Motel had come up for sale in Tucumcari for $165,000, I seriously thought about ir, but decided running a motel was too much work.

Of course, we all owe Ron a huge thanks for continuing with his Route 66 News blog.  If there is anything you want to know about the Mother Road, this is where you go.

--RoadDog

Holes and Piles Cause Accidents in DeKalb in 1917

From the April 26, 2017, MidWeek   "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"An open ditch on Pleasant street in DeKalb was the cause of a couple of accidents during the night, when taxi cabs ran into the pile of dirt and one into the ditch.

"The red lanterns had been placed but had been blown over by the wind and storm, and it was necessary for the authorities to rouse the workmen out of bed at an early hour this morning to get the lanterns relighted."

Watch Out For That Pile,  It's a Doozy.  --RoadDog

Taxi-Truck Accident in 1917

From the April 26, 2017, MidWeek   "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The Lincoln Highway taxi cab driven by Gene Blake with C.F. Toenniges as a passenger for the Haisch truck driven by Ernest Parkins came together this morning at the corner of Third and Pine street.

"Mr. Toenniges was injured by flying glass and also the jar when the two cars came together."

Watch Out!!  --RoadDog

Writing the Story To "Suit" Himself

From the April 26, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The young Mr. Parkins, who drives the Haisch truck has the gall to inform the Chronicle reporter this morning that if our report of the auto accident did not suit him he was going to make us correct it.

"For the benefit of him and anyone else who may be interested on the similar occasions, we wish to take this opportunity of stating that the reports of news events in the Chronicle are not written to 'suit' anyone except the general public which is entitled to fair, truthful and complete reports of the news and will get them here.

Take That Mr. Parkins!!  --RoadDog

Along 66, December 2017: Museum Club and the Route

From the Route 66 News Site.

DECEMBER 19--  The Museum Club in Flagstaff, Arizona, to reopen December 29.  Has operated since 1936, but closed in September.  Built by taxidermist Dean Eldredge in 1931 to show off his vast collection.

Became famous in the 1960s when the owners began booking country acts like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Bob Wills.

We went there back in 2006 and had a real good time.  A classic.

DECEMBER 21--  Cybthia Troup's role in "Get Your kicks on Route 66."  Cynthia and Bobby Troup drove Route 66 to California in 1946.  She came up with the line "Get Your Kicks on Route 66."

Bobby finished the song.  She probably should have received at least partial credit for the songwriting.

Where Would Route 66 be Without Her?  --RoadDog

Along 66, December 2017: Virden Mural, "The Elvis of France" and Onion Burgers

DECEMBER 5--  Virden, Illinois, mural deemed irreparable and will be wholly repainted instead of touch up.  It will be repainted from scratch and with a new design.

Love those murals.

DECEMBER 6--  Johnny Hallyday, "the Elvis of France" and a big Route 66 fan died at age 77.  I never heard any of his songs.

DECEMBER  9--  50 Years of Making Fried Onion Burgers.  Monty Hall of El Reno, Oklahoma has been making them for that long.  First at Johnnie's Grill and then at Sid's Diner, which he has owned since 1989.

One of those great foods you can find on 66.

--RoadDog

Streets a Bit Dusty in DeKalb in 1917

From the April 26, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The oldest sprinkling wagon in DeKalb, repainted and other repairs made, was out today giving the main street a soaking.

"The advent of the wagon was received with gratitude by many business men as the dust along the street was getting thick, filling the stores at every opportunity.""

Well, Dirt Streets.  What Did You Expect?  --RoadDog

Car Slams Into Building in Sandwich, Ill., in 1917

From the September 20, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"While parking his auto in front of Warner's store in Sandwich, a Mr. Rule from Kewanee who was with his family was making an auto trip, lost control of the car, causing it to jump the curb and crash into the doorway at Warner's shoe department.

"One of the large plate glass at the end of theshow window was shattered when the car struck it and the show case in which gents collars are displayed and which hangs outside between the two doorways was also demolished."

Oops!  --RoadDog

Horsin' Around in 1917: Just "One Good Eye Between Them"

From the October 4, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

"Fred the Sycamore junk man, who lives on Fair Street bought a stove from DeKalb, and while he was delivering it to rooms over the Sycamore laundry, left his team of horses, which had only one good eye between them, standing unhitched.

"It was late at night, and the horses were hungry, so they wandered around the corner to State street on their way toward home.

They did not see the red lights, nor the piles of earth, nor the open ditch, and Officer Proust a short time later found them both in the ditch unable to get out.  He called for assistance and they were unhitched and untangled and fed with no particular damage done."

--RoadDog

A Detour in 1942

From the September 27, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

"Motorists in Sycamore coming into the city by way of the state highway (Il-23) are now compelled to use Fair Street from DeKalb Avenue over to Route 64 and the same applies to those wishing to drive to DeKalb.

"Fair Street is in fairly good shape and no complaint has been heard from anyone regarding the necessary detour."

In 1942, the state road, Il-23, was being made into a four lane highway.

Detours Even Back Then.  --RoadDog

Roadwork Coming Along in 1942

From the September 27, 2017 MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Mayor Frank Ashelford is well satisfied with the progress that is being made in the street paving and says that by this evening the stretch on DeKalb Avenue will be made ready for the preliminary work and will be roped off to traffic."

--RoadDog

A Near Car-Train Crash in DeKalb in 1917

From the November 1, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Some little excitement was caused at First street crossing of the North Western last night when a Ford car, driven by unknown parties, crashed through the gates, just ahead of the Sterling passenger (train).

"The gates were down, and the bell ringing, and the driver of the car was either in a big hurry or else did not see the gates.  Both gates at the crossing were broken in the driver's effort to get away."

Never A Good Idea to Try to Beat a Train Through the Crossing.  Especially With How Fast Trains Roar Through DeKalb.  --RoadDog

About That Balky Mule in DeKalb in 1917

From the November 1, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"A new use for the taxicab was exemplified on the street of DeKalb today when a local driver ran through Lincoln avenue towing a balky mule which had changed hands at the horse sale and which the owner wanted to get home.

Can't Ride It, Tow It.  --RoadDog

State Aid Cement Road Completed From DeKalb to Sycamore in 1917

From the November 1, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The new state aide cement road which connects with the Sycamore pavement on the DeKalb road, which was completed several days ago, will be opened to the public, and the cement road out of Waterman, being laid by the same contractors, is well toward completion.

"The stretch out of Waterman will give a cement road from Waterman to the James Carter farm just south of DeKalb."

The Sycamore-DeKalb Road is today's Illinois Highway 23.  Part of the cement road from Waterman to DeKalb was a "Ribbon Highway."

Those Cement Roads Were Really an Improvement Over the Dirt Roads  --RoadDog

Along 66, December 2017: Mother Jones and Roger Miller

DECEMBER 12--  A Mother Jones marker was dedicated at the I-55 rest area.  She was a union activist and leader of the coal miners.  The rest area is located south of Springfield, Illinois, in the southbound lanes.

Her grave is in Mt. Olive New York.

DECEMBER 18--  The Roger Miller Museum in Erick,Oklahoma, will close for good because of financial difficulties.  It opened in 2004.  Of course, favorite son Roger Miller was a noted performer in the 1960s, especially known for his huge hit  "King of the Road."

I always hate to see a museum close.  Sadly, we never got around to visiting it.

"Rooms to Let 50 Cents."  --RoadDog

Mr. Quinn Meets a Calf in 1917

From the December 6, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"P. Quinn, of Clare, who recently invested in a new Hudson automobile has taken every precaution keeping the car in good shape, safety first being his slogan whenever there is a shadow of a doubt.

"The forepart of the week, the Quinns, together with some guests drove the car to Rockford and the trip was one of enjoyment.  Just before turning into the gate at home, on the return trip, the driver encountered a herd of cattle and as he did so, a calf kicked at the car as it was getting out of the road, breaking off a headlight.

"The rest of the family and the guests have had considerable fun at Mr. Quinn's expense."

Pretty Funny, Mr. Quinn.  Well, At Least It Wasn't a Flivver.  --RoadDog

The New Ellwood-Fisk Garage in DeKalb in 1917

From the December 13, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"On account of the new Ellwood-Fisk garage at the corner of First and Lincoln Highway, it is probable that several sets of telephone and electric wires will have to be moved.

"As it is now there are electric wires will be in the path of the south wall of the building and the officials of the telephone company and also the electric company were giving the matter the once over today."

Progress Causing Problems.  --RoadDog

A Filling Station Gets Sold in Sycamore in 1942

From the October 18, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Arthur Taylor, who has successfully operated the Nash (cars) sales agency in Sycamore while his garage mechanics have been busy much of the time, is reported to have signed papers this week whereby he will take over the Standard Oil station at Main and State streets.

"Hillquist Brothers, who operate the Fargo Garage, have been operating the this filling station across from the post office, and have relinquished their hold on the place."

--RoadDog

Building a New Gas Station in 1917 in DeKalb

From the October 18, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Skoglund & Wedberg, who have the contract for the eraction of the new Fisk-Ellwood garage, started work at the corner of First and Lincoln Highway.

"The contract is one of the largest of its kind in the city and much material has been hauled to the scene in order to commence the work .  The work will be rushed with all possible haste in order that cold weather will not stop operations completely."

Building a Fancy Gas Station in DeKalb.  --RoadDog

A Fire at Electric Corners in Sycamore

From the December 6, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The DeKalb fire department received word of a fire in a vacant house at Electric Park corners.  The house, formerly was on the opposite side of the highway and was once used as a filling station.

"When a modern station was erected on the route between DeKalb and Sycamore, the frame building was moved across the road."

--RoadDog

Slippery Roads in Sycamore in 1942

From the December 27, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Because many motorists were having difficulty in backing out of parkway spaces in the business area of Sycamore, city men scattered cinders along State Street from California to the post office.

"This proved of great benefit to drivers of all kinds of vehicles and also to pedestrians as well, and probably averted more than one accident during the day and evening."

Slip Sliding Away.  --RoadDog

Lincoln Highway and Burlington Way Marked in 1917

From the December 27, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Through the efforts of the fire chief, the traffic post at the corner of Fourth street and Lincoln Highway shows the color of the Lincoln Highway on two sides and also the official colors of the Burlington Way on the other two sides.

"The chief fitted the glass on the inside of the globe on the other two sides , and also painted the colors and although the blue does not show up plainly at this time, the matter will be remedied at a later date, so that all of the colors of the two highways will be readily seen from a distance."

Since the Lincoln Highway runs east west through DeKalb, the Burlington Way must have gone north-south along Fourth Street.

In the days before numbered highways.  I have never heard of the Burlington Way.  Too bad this globe was not kept in a museum or somewhere.

--RoadDog

Car/Hand Car Collision in 1917

From the December 27, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"A motor car used by the C.M. & G section hands collided with a hand car loaded with section hands near Yaeger's crossing north of Fairdale.

"Several of the men were badly bruised and badly shaken up, but no bones were broken."

--RoadDog

When Diagonal Is Not Parallel in 1917: Obey the Parking Law

From the December 13, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"An autoist coming to DeKalb yesterday afternoon stopped at one of the restaurants and drove up parallel with the sidewalk.  It happened that the next two cars stopped at the same place parked the cars according to the traffic laws (diagonal).

"When the offender came to get started on his trip again some 30 minutes was necessary before he could get away from the curbage.  Safe to say that the next time the same motorist stops in DeKalb he will do as DeKalb people do with regard to parking automobiles."

Dumb Out-Of-Towners.  RoadDog

Another Industry for DeKalb in 1917: The Tire-O-Fix Company

From the October 18, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Another industry for DeKalb!  The Tire-O-Fix company, manufacturers of a semi-liquid fluid which mends punctures like magic has leased the building on West Lincoln Highway formerly occupied by the West End Garage and in three weeks' time will manufacture the product which should prove a boon to motorists."

Yep, They Had Flat Tires Back Then.  --RoadDog

A "Flivver" Goes Head-to-Head With a Street Car in DeKalb in 1917

From the December 20, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The two o'clock street car of the DeKalb-Sycamore Electric Company and a flivver belonging to a man from Troy Grove locked horns at Oak and Fourth street yesterday afternoon.

"Motorman and Conductor McCann were in charge of the car, and from all reports obtainable today the driver of the flivver did not see the street car until he started to make the turn at this particular corner, and then it was too late to stop.

"The front of the automobile was badly damaged although no one was injured."

I knew flivver was referring to the automobile, but looked it up anyway and found that flivver refers to a small, cheap, usually old automobile.  Also, something of unsatisfactory quality or inferior grade.

Careful of Those Street Cars.  --FlivverDog

Along 66, November 2017: Deaths

NOVEMBER 17--  Help is needed to decorate that wonderful old Devils Elbow Bridge in Missouri.  Get into the Christmas spirit and have some spirits at the nearby Elbow Inn.  I've seen pictures of it decorated and that sure says Christmas to me.

NOVEMBER 18--  RIP Marian Clark who wrote the Route 66 Cookbook.  She died at age 83 on Nov. 16.

NOVEMBER 21--  Dawn Patterson of D.K.'s Garage in Towanda died.  She turned her two-car garage into a Rt. 66ers nirvanna.  She was 59.  If it was open, everyone was welcome to stop in.  She closed it in May 2017.

We stopped by many times and really had good times during the Red Carpet Corridor weekend when she would have a band.  We'll sure miss Dawn.

Improving the Roads Around Roanoke, Virginia

From the March 20, 2017, Roanoke Times (Virginia) "Looking Back."

1917,100 Years Ago.

"In an atmosphere of tobacco smoke and good-fellowship, two hundred automobile owners of Roanoke met at a smoker, given by the automobile association of the city ... and pledged their hearty cooperation to improve conditions of travel for motorists in and about Roanoke."

--RoadDog

Along 66, December 2017: Devil's Elbow Bridge and "Vacation"

These articles are from the Route 66 News site.  There is usually a post for every day and a lot more information.  I just pick the ones of most interest to me.  But if you want the best coverage of the road, go to Ron Warnick's Route 66 News site.

DECEMBER 2--  Devil's Elbow Bridge in Missouri was damaged in an accident.  Weight restrictions have been imposed.  3,000  pounds.

That poor bridge has sure taken a pounding this past year, what with the floods in spring and now this.

DECEMBER 4--  Even though this is not really Route 66 so much, it is about one of my all-time favorite movies "National Lampoon's Vacation."  Adam the Woo (now there's a name) made a 34-minute video which you can see at the Route 66 News site.  He flew to Chicago and rented a car and "followed" the Griswalds across the country.

Surprisingly, none of the cast was in Illinois or St. Louis, but those scenes filmed by the crews.

Very Interesting.  --RoadDog

A New Type of Railroad Tie Patented in DeKalb in 1917

From the April 12, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Thomas Bennett, living at 717 South Second Street, has been granted a patent on a railroad tie, on which he has been working for the past 18 months.

"The tie as perfected by Mr. Bennett is claimed to possess all the advantages of the wooden tie and under ordinary circumstances will last many years longer.  The new tie is made of a wood filler, which is chemically treated to insure its lasting qualities, and the outside is a galvanized iron strip, riveted together to prevent breaking or pulling apart."

--RoadDog

Standard Oil Opens New Filling Station in DeKalb in 1917

From the April 12, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The Standard Oil Company announces today that a filling station has been installed at Quinn & Farley garage at the corner of Fourth and Locust Streets in DeKalb.

"The oil company will endeavor to keep a good supply of oils and gasoline, etc. on hand at all times, and will make a special effort to keep a good supply of lubricating oil there."

The Age of the Auto Has Arrived.  Goodbye Hitching Posts, Hello Gasoline.  --RoadDog

Another Accident in DeKalb in 1917

From the December 6, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"An Oakland car belonging to John Donnelly, skidded into the curbing at First and Locust street yesterday afternoon and it was necessary for the garage men to bring a 'dolly' and haul the damaged car to the garage.

"This corner is an exceptionally busy one and one using all precaution will oftentimes have an accident.  The accident yesterday was due to the car skidding on leaves and crashing into the curb breaking the rear wheel."

I wonder if the garage they took it to was the new one at First and Lincoln Highway.  I have skidded on wet leaves before.  It is a frightening thing.

--RoadDog

5000th Post and 12th Year For This Blog

Today marks the 12th year of my very first blog.  It is also the 5006th Post of it, so I passed the 5,000 mark, a whole lot for a blogger.

My first post was April 25, 2007, and was set  up by my niece Andrea.  I am not overly technological, you know.  The blog was set up to write about my new interest, dating to 2002, in Route 66 and old roads.

Way Too Many Posts.  --RoadDog