History of Victor and Victor Township, DeKalb Co., Illinois-- Part 2

Continued from June 25.

Among the first settlers were:  Jeremiah Mulford (first postmaster at Van Buren and named his post office after his favorite president), W.H. Keene,  Aruna Beckwith, James Green, Newton Stearns, Peleg Sweet, Jerome Baxter, George N. Stratton, Simon Snydon, C. Beard and W.R. Prescott.

When the railroad was built in 1851, there was a large influx of new settlers.  Many Irish and Germans purchased land and a considerable colony of Norwegians also established itself.  They are now among the most thriving and prosperous of its townspeople.

There is now no land within the town that is not actually occupied.

--RoadDog

International Mother Road Festival in Springfield, Illinois, is Canceled

From the June 26, 2020, News Channel ABC

Illinois Route 66 Events, the City of Springfield and Bonnier Events chose to cancel this year's event which was scheduled for September 25th through the 27th.

One of the highlights of this is all the classic cars that participate in a huge caravan on Friday and then are parked the whole weekend in several blocks around the old Illinois State Capitol Building in downtown Springfield.  Always a highlight of the show.

Those people already having pre-registered their vehicles will be receiving a refund.

Event organizers are already planning  the festival for 2021 and dates will be announced as they are confirmed.

That is too bad, especially since this was the first big Route 66 thing Liz and I attended back in 2002, on the very first one they had.

And, of course, you know why it was canceled.

Oh Well.  --RoadDog

Along 66, May 2020: Seeing Buzzards and the Jack Rabbit Reopens

MAY 11--  See the Buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri at 2104 College Street, a Route 66 alignment through town.  You'll find our fine-feathered friend on a satellite dish nest with a nearby sign offering "Fresh Buzzard Eggs for Sale."  Wonder how many of them would make a good-sized omelet?

Old Buzz is owned by Don Wilcox who owns Wilcox Auto Trim, an upholstery shop.  Old Buzz had been on a miniature golf course, but had fallen on hard times until Don's daughter fixed him up and painted him (her?with the egg thing).

Don has other memorabilia as well so sounds like one of those "new" things we gotta see on the Mother Road.

MAY 12--   The Jack Rabbit Trading Post reopens after being closed for 46 days because of you-know-what.  It is near Joseph City, Arizona.

It was quite an emotional reopening as filmed by co-owner Cindy Jaquez.

--RoadBuzz

History of Victor and Victor Township, DeKalb County, Illinois

From Geneaology Trails  "Victor Township History."

The town of Victor was organized in 1853.  For many years previous it had been, with Clifton and half of Afton, in one town organization, which held its town meetings in Deacon Pritchard's large barn until the schoolhouse was built., nearby, then they convened to that place.

It was one of the Illinois prairie towns, remote from woodland, and consequently  was not occupied by settlers until those sections of the country which were better favored by timber had passed  out of the hands of the United States, and could not be purchased at "government price."  In 1847 and  1848 some of the lands were first entered, and during the next five years it was all taken up.

Small Town Affairs.  --RoadVic

Where in the World Is Victor, Illinois?

I mentioned the town of Victor  in DeKalb County in the last post.

Victor Township DeKalb County, Illinois.

History of Victor Township, Illinois, genealogy trails.

Evidently, at one time there was a town named Victor in DeKalb County, Illinois.  It no longer exists, but there is still a Victor Township located in the southern part of the county.  It is in the south central part of DeKalb County.

Population in 2010 was 299.

--RoadVictor

Hoofing It in DeKalb County in 1878 and Death of a Post Office in Victor, Illinois in 1883

From the June 3, 2020, MidWeek "Looking Back."

These bits are taken from newspapers from 1878 and 1883.

1878, Many, Many Many Years Ago.

"Constable Hoyt started from Sycamore for Shabbona last Saturday noon, took a prisoner and drove back again arriving home by eight o'clock.  Fifty miles in half a day: great driving that for these rough roads."

******************************************

1883, Not As Many Years Ago, But Still a Lot.

"The old 'Van Buren' post office, established some forty-five years ago, is soon to be discontinued.    It is the only post office in the town of Victor, and the old pioneers of  the early days regret very much to see the old landmark go.

"But they must submit to the inevitable, as no one can be found to perform the duties of the office.  J.E. Davis, the present incumbent, says that his ambition for being a public office holder, where it is 'all work and no pay,' is fully satisfied.

Ah!  The Good Old Days.  --RoadOld

A Novel Mode of Transportation Back in 1878

From the June 3, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1878, A Whole Lot of Years Ago.

"Quite a sensation was  created in Mayfield lately by the novel mode of transportation adopted by a visitor from Dixon and one from Batavia.    The Dixon gentleman and Batavia lady made a series of calls in the neighborhood, the gentleman conveying the lady from one place to another in a wheelbarrow.

"Whether this was performed under a wager, or purely for the convenience of the thing, the parties have not stated.  At any rate , it was something out of the usual order, and worthy of notice."

I Barrow You Not.  --RoadWheel

Along 66, May 2020: The Buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Mo.

MAY 11--  It is located at 2104 College Street, on a Route 66 alignment.  What you'd call imaginative yard art, something I always enjoy seeing.  The weirder the better in my book.

It is a metal buzzard on a nest that is actually a satellite dish and nearby a sign offering "Fresh Buzzard Eggs for Sale."  Very imaginative.

It is owned by Don Wilcox who owns Wilcox Auto Trim, an upholstery ship.

The buzzard used to be on a miniature golf course, but was in bad shape but he fixed it up.  While at a farm, he saw the satellite dish and the Buzzard's Nest with those fresh eggs was born.

And, Mr. Wilcox has some other memorabilia items at his ship including a gravity -feed gas pump, an old street lamp, old bicycles,  and a Tow Mater sign he's pretty sure used to be at the  former Three Women on the Route, now Cars on the Route, in Galena, Kansas.

And, I do love creative, imaginative yard works.

Something Else to See.  --RoadDog

Along 66, May 2020: New Neon in Tulsa, Plus Quite the Museum

MAY 10--  New Route Historical Museum sign in Tulsa.  In southwest Tulsa and one of at least a dozen restored or new neon signs in the city.

Well, neon will always attract me, but there is quite a bit to see here as well.

Among the museum's holdings:

**  Restored Frisco 4500 steam engine, passenger car and caboose

**  Oil derrick standing 194 feet tall and is the historic site  of the first oil strike on June 25, 1901 that made Tulsa the "Oil Capital of the World."

**  Route 66 village station, a tourism center modeled after a 1920s-1930s gas station.  A Phillips 66  cottage-style architectural designed place.

Tulsa is one town that is certainly taking care of and pushing its Route 66 heritage.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2020: The Sad State of Affairs at Tulsa's Brookshire Motel

I take these from the Route 66 News blog, your place for any and all things you want to know about what is going on along our  Mother Road.  The site has at least one post every day plus a lot more information along with photos and video.  I just take the ones of most interest to me to put in my RoadDog's RoadLog blog.

MAY 5--  A man was found dead in Tulsa's Brookshire Motel after a third fire in the past fifteen months.   The other two fires took place in February 2019 and March of this year.

The motel has been declared a public nuisance over two years ago.  As of this date, the City of Tulsa has given the owner notice to make repairs or it will b e torn down.

Not much is known about the motel but it is believed it was built in the 1940s.  The site has been long-closed.

I always hate to see when an old motel gets into these straits, but that happens with progress.  Sometimes you just have to tear it down.

--RoadDog

Along 66, April 2020: Real On-The-Road Signs and Buck Atom's

APRIL 29--  The Route 66 Association of Arizona is helping Parks, Arizona,  pay for the Route 66 crest stencil.  Next to the metal signs on posts, I really love these on-the-highway stencils.  I remember the first ones we ever saw were on the road by Dwight, Illinois.

These also greatly help people driving Route 66 with directions.  See the sign and you know you're on it.

APRIL 30-- Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios in Tulsa, Oklahoma, lit up their new neon sign.  Quite impressive.  Because of the "C" it was shown on Facebook Live.  A new, very welcome addition to the good ol' Mother Road.  Looking forward to visiting the place next time through.

Neon signs and Tourists Traps, two of my favorite things.

Where Are the Souvs?  --RoadNeon

The Joiner History Room Marks Its 10th Anniversary With Its Looking Back Column in the MidWeek Newspaper

Those of you who read my Cooter's History Thing, Tattooed On Your Soul:  World War II and this blog no doubt have noticed plenty of blog entries that I take from this most interesting bit of historical research these people do.

They go through old newspapers from DeKalb County, Illinois, (home of DeKalb and Sycamore and other towns) and in 25 year increments give an account of life back then.  This year, they are marking 1920, 1945, 1970 and 1995.

I sure do thank those great historians for providing lots of stories that I use and I hope you enjoy.

How do I sign up for this job?  I do know that they meet at the Sycamore Public Library in Sycamore, Illinois.

Thanks, Folks, For the Wonderful Job.  --RoadJoiner

Somonauk, Illinois in 1867 The Half-Shire Men Got Drunk

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

1867, 153 Years Ago.

""Somonauk is a smart little village situated about three miles west of Sandwich.    It has seven fine churches, but two saloons; three good grain elevators; a fine agriculture depot; two lumber merchants, one of whom sold over one million feet of lumber last season.

"There is a fine large brick block; a good hotel kept by a well-known landlord, John M. Goodell.

"We noticed some drunkards in town but they were Half-Shire men who had come over to buy up votes and not meeting with good success had drunk up their own whiskey  and were too drunk to get home."

Now I imagine that Half-Shire story would be an interesting one to know more about.

--RoadDog

Along 66, April, 2020: Bob's Gasoline Alley Will Be Auctioned Off and Death of Charles Custer

APRIL 26--  Bob's Gasoline Alley collection near Cuba, Missouri, will go up for auction by mid-July.  Bob Mullen died March 1, 2020, at the age of 67.

We are sorry that we did not get to visit his place.  We went looking for it once, but couldn't find it.  But, we heard he had quite a collection.  It would be nice if someone would buy it all and open a museum so the public could see it.  I'm still so sorry that Bill Shea's fantastic collection in Springfield, Illinois, was sold off.

Always sad when we drive by Bill Shea's former site near the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  Like his wife once told us:  "That old man.  He never throws ANYTHING away."

APRIL 27--  Charles Custer died but he sure did leave us some great pictures of America in the 1950s.

--RoadDog

100 Years Ago, Horse Thieves; 75 Years Ago, Stolen Cars

From the May 27, 2020, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"In these gasoline days, horse thieves are scarce and local police  were much surprised when they received word yesterday to look out for an outfit belonging to Alfred Reed of Sycamore, which had disappeared Saturday."

********************************

1945, 75 Years Ago.

"A car involved in an accident last night when it left the road and knocked down fence posts and the mail box of the Cliff Hunt place just east of the city was later stripped.

"When the wrecker went out to haul in the car this morning it was found that the windows had been broken and that the car had been stripped  with the radio, spare tire and wheel, three blankets, fog light, tools and other accessories having been stolen."

Not Even Safe Back Then.  --RoadLeaveMyHorse

Along 66, April 2020: Neon Signs, Hand Sanitizer and Boots for Sale

APRIL 20--  Construction begins on the Route 66 Neon Sign Park on Tulsa, Oklahoma's west side.

You can never have too much neon.

APRIL 21--  Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa is now producing small batch hand sanitizer for some reason.

APRIL 23--  Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri,is for sale.  A KOAM-TV interview with co-owner Deborah Harvey said that they have had no guests since March 23 and all April reservations were cancelled because of you-know-what.

The ban on foreign travel especially hurts since around 70% of Route 66 travelers are from foreign countries.

Cost of the Boots Court is $210,000.  Hopefully things will get better and the place will go off sale as the people have done such a great job of bringing back this 66 gem.  Liz and I stayed there a few years ago.

What a Trip Back.  --RoadBoots

Along 66, April 2020: Keeping That Coronavirus Memorabilia and An Old Sign in New Mexico

These are taken from the Route 66 News site.

APRIL 14--  The Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center is urging people to keep their coronavirus memorabilia.

I have seen that many museums are asking for these items and people to write about what happened to them.  After all, this is huge history we're in the midst of right now, not to mention the civil unrest.

APRIL 18--  The sign of the Mountain Lodge Motel east of Albuquerque, New Mexico, will be taken down and placed in storage.  Fire destroyed the motel in 2014.

It is hoped the restored sign will be placed at the Route 66 Visitors Center on Nine Mile Hill west of Albuquerque.

--RoadDog

Juvies Mark Car 100 Years Ago: Okay Eva, Myrtle, Iona and Wilbur, You Know Who You Are

From the May 20, 2020, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Dr. P.L. Smith is pretty sore about the way some kids marked up the rear of his roadster.  He was making a house call on Gurler Street on Sunday (house call, Sunday?)  and left his car standing out front.

"When he came back out, the rear of his car was  marked with the names of 'Eva, Myrtle, Iona and Wilbur.'  The kids are supposed to be in the neighborhood of 16 years (their age), and if found, Perry is going to make an example of the,."

Juvenile Delinquents Back then?  You Know.  --RoadDog

Welcome Back to Sunnyside-- Part 2: Here's to Good Times, Today Is Kind of Special

Man, it was sure good to see all the folks we hadn't seen for a couple months.  We sat a table with Greg, Dan and Mark.  We usually spend a lot of time talking to then in the bar during normal times.  And, we hadn't seen then for the whole length of time.

Turns out, this was Dan's first beer since then.  Mark had gone off his yearly alcohol break (he quits the day after Super Bowl and doesn't drink for several months) the last day he drank was in March (the last day at Sunnyside) but then had gone back on his drink break until last week when he went north to Wisconsin to have drinks with Kelly at the Twin Lakes Road House.

There were also a lot of people who knew and/or recognize from Sunnyside getting together outside on this special day.

We got a call from Kevin and Kelly who were at Freddie's in Fox Lake and they came over and joined us and later, Glen and Barb likewise joined us.  This was the first time we'd seen all these folks since March.

We all noticed that it sure wasn't taking too long to start feeling the effects of the beer.  Liz only had had three beers during this past two months and I'd had about 15, mostly sitting out FP (Front Porch) or OD (On Deck) or in the gazebo after working in the yard.

Good Times In the Area Again.  --RoadBeer

Welcome Back to Sunnyside-- Part 1: We're Back!!!

Mark this date from Friday:  Friday, May 29, 2020--  The first time restaurants and bars were open in Illinois (outside of Chicago) since March 17 because of the you-know-what.

We were at Sunnyside Taverm in Johnsburg, Illinois, the last day it was open, March 16.  This was after we had heard of the closures coming on the day before, Sunday March 15 while we were at the McHenry, Illinois, American Legion.  Our governor was extremely mad about all the people out celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Chicago on Saturday.  We figured this was his way to get back at us.

The governor closed all restaurants and bars in the state starting March 17.

Right now, Illinois is in Phase Three of five to reopen the state.  This allows restaurants and bars to have outdoor dining and drinking as long as social distancing occurs and no more than six people at a table.

Sunnyside had the whole front parking lot and the north parking area closed off to vehicles and tables set up.  The inside was off limits for customers except for the bathrooms.  And those were one at a time.  There was a bartender inside and two people taking orders, going inside, getting drinks (Sunnyside doesn't serve food except for frozen pizza and some other frozen items) and taking them outside.  It was cash only and everything rounded to a dollar amount for ease of transactions.

Our 16-ounce draft beers were $2.

And, it was a sunny and warm day.

So, Good Times.  Good to be Back.  --RoadBeer