Along 66, May 2021: Red Cedar Inn to Reopen As a Visitors Center

MAY 25

Pacific, Missouri, signed a $2,2 million contract to turn the old Red Cedar Inn into a visitors center.  

The city purchased the place in 2017 for $290,000 and had hoped to reopen it this year, but the virus and other issues delayed it.

The restaurant was built by the Smith brothers on Route 66 in 1932.  Then a tavern was added to it a few years later.  Over the years quite a few notables visited it including baseball legends Dizzy Dean and Ted Williams.

It closed abruptly in 2005 and is on the NRHP.

We had planned to go to it after we "discovered" it in 2002, but it closed before we had the chance to go.  

--RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 12: American Legion Post 500 and the Race, TV Stations, Cut-Throughs and 'How the West Was Won'

The American Legion Post 500 in Speedway, made a special effort to get that number (for some reason).  The Indy 500 and NASCAR race is "All Hands on Deck" for these folks, a huge money-maker for the year.  They are all really worn out by the end of the several days.

It had to be rough on them last year when the Indy 500 didn't have any spectators.  That was a major hit for them.  We already had our RV spot paid for in 2020, but let it roll over instead of getting a refund as they offered.

Back at the RV, we were amazed at the number of stations we could pick up just on antenna.

On several occasions, people actually walked right through our campsite.  That just isn't too cool.  Paul got after several and then put up a traffic obstacle horse to stop them.

I started watching the movie "How the West Was Won" and I hadn't really seen that since it was first out.  All I remembered was that there sure were a lot of stars in it.  Sue and Paul decided to go back over to the Legion, but John and I decided to watch the movie.

--RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 11: What I Forgot and Those Pork Tenderloins

On the way to Indianapolis, I realized I had forgotten two things.  I always forget things.  It wouldn't be a trip of I didn't forget something.  I forgot my glasses, which meant reading the standings boards at the racetrack on Sunday was going to be difficult.  Plus, I didn't bring my flip-flops, which meant that I had to put on my gym shoes anytime I wanted to go outside.

We had considered walking over to downtown Speedway today, but the off-and-on rain negated that idea.

So, after welcome back cocktails, we went across the parking lot to the Legion bar.  It would be hard to find a better locale for the RV than at the Legion.  The racetrack itself is right across the street from us, and the Legion bar is just a short walk across the parking lot.  Just perfect for us.

I decided to have a pork tenderloin sandwich at the bar.  When in Indiana, it is suggested that you have one of these fantastic pork tenderloin sandwiches.  It is not the state food, but ubiquitous across the state.  It traces its history back to German immigrants as wiener schnitzel in the 19th century. It cost $8 and more than filled me up.

Draft beers were $3 and they had a deejay playing music.

--RoadTenderLoin

Back to Indy-- Part 10: All That Crummy Weather, Quite Chilly

FRIDAY, MAY 28. 2021

The weather was pretty crummy the whole way down to Indianapolis.  It was unseasonably cold and rained off and on.  This was definitely bot shorts and tee shirt weather at all.  The wipers (and those RV wipers are huge) were busy most of the way.

As a matter of fact, it was quite cold every morning we were there.  I wore  my long pans and jacket everywhere in the morning.  It would warm up a bit as the afternoons progressed.

Anyway, we arrived in plenty of time to get our usual parking spot.  remember, we had a call when we were close that they were closing the RV parking area to newcomers at 4.  Actually, they told us they would have let us in anyway.

Paul has become quite the master at getting the huge RV into a small looking area to me.  I sure would not even want to think about doing what he does.  

I helped a bit on the set up and then went over to the Shed where the Ladies' Auxiliary sells stuff like ice to get a bag of ice.  I see the price has gone u from $3 to $4 a bag this year.  However, the Shed was closed with a note to see "Ozzie" inside for ice.  I went inside, but found no "Ozzie."  I did tell a table of ladies of my iceless dilemma and they said they'd get me some.  

One lady came out, but was unable to open the Shed's lock, went back inside, but didn't come back. I finally gave up and went back to the RV. No ice for us.  Paul, however, was able to get a bag from a street vendor, so we had ice for our cocktails.

--Road500

Decisions, Decisions: How to Tell the Good Old Days Are Back

The summer of 2021 sure promises, at this point, to be an improvement over last summer.  

I mean, that good buddy Denny is on another one of his extended road trips.  Liz and I are planning on hitting the road as well.

But, even more important, I now am faced with having to make decisions as to what I'm going to do.

For example, in a few minutes I will be heading out the door for one of two history things.  Either a presentation by the McHenry Area Historical Society at Veterans Park in McHenry or the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group meeting in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Last night I had the choice of going to the Spring Grove Annual Fish Fry to raise money for our Fish Hatchery Park (with a band) or see a band at the McHenry VFW.

Thursday night the choice was between going to Antioch for their weekly It's Thursday concert or go to the Lake House on Pistakee to sit out by that lake and watch a band.

Tough decisions, but somebody's got to make them.

Oft times I am asked why we don't go on many vacations away from home during the summer.  But, why go anywhere else when you have so much to do right here?

Partyin' In the Local Area These Days.  --RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 9: Which Is Bigger? Talladega or Indy?

Last night at Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, I was conversing with a guy whose family are major BASCAR fans and go to Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama every year.  He said  that Talladega was the biggest racetrack in the world with seating for 400,000 people.  I'd always heard that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the world's biggest with seating for 250,000 in the grand stands and 400,000 throughout the grounds.

I looked it up and it said total maximum capacity for Talladega is around 175,000 with main grandstand at around 80,000.

So, the Indy 500 is still the biggest.

Like myself, however, he and his family were greatly disappointed in the one NASCAR driver's anti-anything Confederate stance.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2021: Albuquerque's Route 66 Centennial and a Tribute to Lowell Davis

MAY 22

Albuquerque, New Mexico budgets $630,000 for Route 66  centennial celebration in 2026.  Looks like a place to definitely visit as they're going all in.  Great, Albuquerque!

MAY 23

A festival planned for September in Carthage, Missouri, will pay tribute to Red Oak II's late founder Lowell Davis.

He died in November at the age of 83.  To say he was a folk artist is to put it mildly. We were lucky to get to meet and talk with his (with that pipe of course) when the Welcome to Carthage sign (with the cop car behind it) was being put up by the Boots Court.

He is exactly why Route 66 is such a great road.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2021: The U-Drop Inn Cafe in Shamrock and More Tulsa Neon

MAY 20

The U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, will reopen its restaurant.  This will be the first time in a quarter century that it will be open..  The city owns the U-Drop Inn, but will lease the restaurant to Baldo de Leon who will call it the U-Drop Inn Cafe.

He and his parents have operated the El Sombrero restaurant in Shamrock for many years.

Looking forward to eating in that unique structure.

MAY 21

The 20th sign has been installed as part of Tulsa, Oklahoma's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program.

The newest one is at the Vault Restaurant at 620 S. Cincinnati Avenue, part of the original Route 66.

As I have often said, you can never have too much neon.

--RoadNeon

Along 66, May 2021: Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Park and Stuckey's

MAY 16

Discover Oklahoma features Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Sign Park.  A segment of this series was done on this new park on Southwest Boulevard (Route 66) near West 17th Street in Southwest Tulsa.

The park features three marge motel signs from the Will Rogers Motor Court on Tulsa's east side, the Oil Capital Motel on the city's west side and the Tulsa Auto Court on Admiral Place.

As I have said many times before, you can never have too much neon in your life.

MAY 18

Stuckey's heiress aims to revive her family's brand..

Stephanie Stuckey, the granddaughter of the company's founder, W.S. "Sylvester" Stuckey, has some mighty high ambitions.  Her grandfather started the business in 1937 and the chain eventually grew to 350 stores, including many on Route 66.

But, the years have been rough on the chain and it declined at one time to just 75 stores, but now it is up to 115.

I Need Me a Pecan Log Roll.  --RoadLog

Back to Indy-- Part 8: Tony Stewart and A.J. Foyt

From the May 28, 2021, Indianapolis Star "Stewart marks 60 years  since Foyt's first Indy win" by Jenna Fryer.

Another article in the May 28, 2021, Indy Star was about NASCAR race car driver Tony Stewart and his favorite racer, A.J. Foyt.  This year marks the 60th anniversary of Foyt's first Indy win.  Stewart makes no bones about it, but he is a huge Foyt fan.  For the 2021 Indy 500, Stewart was to be sitting next to A,J.. 

A.J. Foyt won the Indy 500 four times: 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977.  

I didn't know it, but Tony Stewart grew up in nearby Columbus, Indiana, and always hoped that one day he would get a chance to race in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."  It turns out that he did run the Indy 500 five times, even starting at the pole position as a rookie in 1996, but never finished higher than fifth.

--RoadStew

Back to Indy-- Part 7: Those Little Moneymakers

Very few persons know how much the Indy Car racers make a year.  There are a lot of variables as to what they make.  An Indy 500 win will very likely get a bonus.  As a driver wins more races and gains more experience, they will earn a higher percentage of the purses.

One source says that the average purse  used to be about 40%, but has inched up to near 50%. 

There are also perks.  This could include a motorhome as well as its expenses.

So, who might be the Indy Car driver getting paid the most money?

Most people will answer Scott Dixon.  But, then again, his contract is not public, but sources speculate the six-time series champion makes between $3.5 million and $4.5 million.  This would make him the highest-paid driver in the series.

So, then, what is the lowest paid?   One source guessed $250,000 to $350,000.

What do the majority of the drivers make?  One source speculated that 14 to 16 drivers make $1 million or more.

So, How Much Money Did You Make This Year?  --RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 6: How Much Money Do IndyCar Drivers Earn?

Continued from June 8.

Another article in the Friday, May 28, 2021, Indy Star newspaper was titled "How much money do Indy Car drivers make?" by Jim Ayello.

You know how much athletes in other professional sports earn.  You know that baseball player earning $12 million a year with the Cubs and batting .186.  Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz signed a four-year, $128 million contract in June 2019.

But, how much do those IndyCar drivers we'll be watching Sunday earn?

The answer, like the answer to how many attend the Indy 500 race, is not known.  It is all top secret.

When a driver signs a new contract in North America's premier open-wheel series, the details seldom leak out.

One possible reason for that put forth in the article is that everyone operates on such a fine line.

Many are not paid a flat salary but things are dependent on a variety of factors.  One likely is the number of sponsorships they bring in.

--RoadRace

Along 66, May 2021: The Mill Museum, Arcadia and Carthage

MAY 8

The Mill Museum in Lincoln, Illinois, to reopen to the public on May 22 at 11 am..  It has been closed because of you-know-what.

It closed in 1994 and started deteriorating immensely, but was save from demolition.   Volunteers and Geoffrey Ladd stepped in in 2017 and saved it.  The museum reopened that year after years of fundraising and volunteer labor.

It is located at 738 S. Washington (Old Route 66).

MAY 10

There are new signage on Old Route 66 near Arcadia, Oklahoma, as it now has National Register designation.  This stretch shows two types of road construction and was bypassed in 1952.

MAY 13

COVID-19 causes permanent shutdown of the Powers Museum in Carthage, Missouri.  The place, however, had been struggling for a long time before the pandemic.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2021: The Chicken Shack Goes to the Hillbillies and Illinois Endangered Green Book Sites

MAY 6

The Chicken Shack restaurant in Luther, Oklahoma, is moving to the old Hillbillees complex in Arcadia, Oklahoma (not too far away).

The Chicken Shack in Luther features rustic dining and, as I remember, that Hillbillies is the very epitome of rustic.  Kind of reminds me of  Missouri Hick BBQ in Cuba, Mo..  Of course, both are on Route 66.

Hopefully they will keep the neat buildings of Hillbillies.

Hillbillies was a sprawling complex including a full service restaurant and as wild west strip.  It opened in 1993 and closed in 2007.

I saw where the Chicken Shack was and I hope some other bbq or catfish place opens there.

MAY 7

Green Book sites make Illinois Most Endangered list compiled by the Landmarks Illinois organization.  This year they had nine sites endangered.

Efforts are underway by both Landmarks Illinois and the National Park Service to find and compile a list of those sites still remaining.

these were according to the Negro Motorist Green Book 1936-1967.  It told black motorists where  restaurants, gas stations and places to stay were in the Jim Crow era.  Sad that something like that book was necessary.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2021: The Launching Pad Reopening and Death of Racing Legend Al Unser

MAY 3

The Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois will reopen after a long closure due to COVID-19.  Its reopening is part of the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival, which this year will be in the form of a 90-mile car cruise (because of the virus, you know).

Tully Garrett and Holly Barker are the owners of the Launching Pad, and of course their 28-foot Gemini Giant.  The place opened in 1960 as the Dairy Delite, but was renamed the Launching Pad after an expansion in 1965.  This had to do with the U.S. push into space at the time.

MAY 4

Albuquerque resident and racing legend Al Unser died at age 87.  He won 35 major races during his 30-year racing career, including the Indy 500 three times.

--RoadDog

Going to Union-- Part 4: A Burger Surprise and Lots of History

Now, my absolute favorite burger is a Black and Bleu.  That would be a half pound of hamburger meat done rare with lots of bleu cheese on it. There is just something about how those two things go together.

And, Checkers II had a burger listed that also had grilled onions and peppers, melted bleu cheese and  sauteed portobello mushrooms.  Man, too good to be true.  But, I did remember the funny look on the waitress's face when I ordered mine done rare.

When it came, I bit into it, only to find what passed for the burger was actually a large slice of portobello mushroom taking the place of of the hamburger.  But, I can tell you I'm going to order it the next time I go there.  Boy, was that good.

Before I went to the meeting, I looked for the Harley Wayne mansion nearby, but couldn't find it.  Harley Wayne was a wealthy man who was a captain in 15th Illinois Infantry and killed at the Battle of Shiloh.  The GAR Post in nearby Marengo was named after him.

At the meeting, our the McHenry County Civil War Round Table gave a $1000 college scholarship to a McHenry County high school student who we judged to have the best of nine papers turned into us comparing Civil War medicine with the coronavirus pandemic.

Then, we heard an excellent talk on the good, the bad and the downright ugly among Civil War generals on both sides.

Good to be Back.  --RoadPortoBello

Going to Union-- Part 3: Fooled By a Burger at Checkers II

My trip to Union, Illinois, on Tuesday, June 8.

The last time I had been to Union, I ate at Checkers II  bar and restaurant.  I was there for a Civil War presentation at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum and was hungry so thought I'd check out a local establishment.

While there I met the people who take care of Northern Illinois University's husky mascot, Mission.  He replaced the much loved, but getting mighty old Diesel mascot who was getting too old to do his duties.  Only, NIU calls that breed of dog huskie.

The last time at Checkers II, I had a German meal.  They specialize in German food.

This time, we had advertised that the McHenry County Civil War Round Table would be getting together before the meeting for dinner at Checkers II.  Since it had been March 2020 since we last did this in Woodstock, we weren't sure how many would show up.  I got there first and told them I might be the only person, but there might be others.  We ended up with eight in attendance.

I decided to go with a Portabella Burger.  I ordered mine rare and the waitress looked at me kind of funny.  Oh well.  

Here's how the "burger" was described.  "Grilled portabella  mushroom topped with sauteed onions, peppers and melted bleu cheese served on a pretzel roll.   $11.  Man, everything I love on a sandwich.  How could this go wrong?

Bit into it after it arrived and ....

--Make Mine a Portablla.  --RoadDog

Going to Union, Illinois-- Part 2: A Nursery and a Lot of History

This, as I said before, is my second longest trip from home since March 2020 because of you-know-what.   The only farther trip was to the Indy 500 over Memorial Day weekend a short time ago.

Once on Illinois Highway 176 and headed west to Union, I stopped at Kolze's nursery and found two hostas that I liked and bought the,.  Hostas have become my go to plant as they require very little effort to grow.  They just do their thing.

Drove around Union, Illinois, a thriving community of 576 according tom the 2020 census, but it has been there since the 1850s and is named for the United States.  It is an old village with a small downtown.  The McHenry County Civil War Round Table got its start there before meetings were moved to the more centrally located Woodstock.

In addition, the McHenry County Historical Society Museum is there and located in what used to be a school.  Also, the Illinois Railway Museum is there as is  Donley's Wild West Town amusement Park and the site of the oldest and largest antique Phonograph Show in the world.  So, as you can see, there sure is a lot of history in Union.

--RoadUnion

My Second-Longest Trip Since the Virus Hit: Going to Union for McHenry County CWRT-- Part 1

Yesterday, I went for my second longest trip from home to Union, Illinois, some 33 miles from home since March 2020 because of you-know-what.  I went there for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table's (MCCWRT) first in-person meeting since March of that year as well.  (I just got back my from my farthest trip from home, the Indy 500, on May 31st.)

Plus, did some of my favorite things along the way, stopping and looking at flowers and bushes at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Meijer and a Kolze's, private nursery, along the way and now have two unique hostas that I bought at the last place.

I am amazed at how few sales on plants are going on these days.

But what is worse, the gas prices.  Oh my goodness.  Big Oil has a full-on gas gouge going now.  I figured once it hit $3 here in northeastern Illinois, that it would drop.  Wrong.  Every station was between $3.40 and $3.50.

Thanks a lot guys.

I drove  Illinois Highways 31, 120, 47 and 176 to Union.

Good to Be on the Road Again, But Doggone Those Gas Prices.  --RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 5: 135,000 Fans Can't Be Wrong

Back in the RV and we're off and hoping to make it to the Speedway American Legion Post 500 before 4 pm, EDST.  Now, if we don't get lost, we're there.

I crack open the Indy Star newspaper which has, obviously, quite a few articles on the upcoming race on Sunday.

One article said the Indy 500 was set to become the largest sporting event as far as fans are concerned since the pandemic hit back in March 2020.  There is a sell-out crown of 135,000 expected even though that is at reduced capacity.

The Speedway is the largest sporting facility in the world with more than 250,000 grandstand seats and the ability to host up to 400,000 through the whole property.  Not surprising in that the course is two and a half miles around.  

The 135,000 represents 40% capacity.

In addition, the track had lifted its local blackout ban so Central Indiana fans can watch it as it happens.  That is a rare thing.

Sadly, a lot of the other events that make the race so much fun were canceled.  We especially miss the Carb Day activities which take place on Friday.  We usually get to the Legion on Thursday so that we can have fun at Carb Day.

--Road500

Back to Indy-- Part 4: Flying J Pumpout, the Time Confusion and Newspapers

Friday, May 28

Since Sue and Paul have been staying in the RV the past week, their black and gray tanks needed to be pumped and you don't want to have someone at the racetrack come by to pump it out as they charge $40 to $50 to do it.  They have found a Flying J truck stop in Lebanon, Indiana, just a short distance north of Indianapolis that will do it for $5 with a Flying J card.

Much better deal.

While there, I got a phone call from Liz saying that the American Legion Post 500 where we were going to stay had called wanting to know when we were going to arrive as they weren't allowing people to get their spots after 4 p.m.. At first we thought that was no problem as we all had the time at 2:30  pm,  But, WAIT, that was 2:30 Central Time.  So, it was actually 3:30 pm.

But a quick GPS check showed us as being about 20 minutes away from the Legion post, so we were able to make it.

While the pumping was going on, I went inside and bought an Indianapolis Star newspaper.  I love newspapers, but my purchasing them and having subscriptions is fast approaching an end.  I prefer newsprint to digital, though.

The price of my favorite paper, the Chicago Tribune is now $3 daily and $5.50 Sundays.  I know newspapers are in a bad way and that most likely their days are gone, but, man, that is too expensive of a habit.

A few years ago, the Indy Star as they call it was $1.  Now it is $2.50.

A Pumpout, A Nasty Job, But Somebody's Got to Do It.  --Roadpaper

Back to Indy-- Part 3: A Place Too Far and the Boneshattering Bumps

Since the Pandemic had hit back in mid-March 2020, the farthest I had been from home was a couple trips down to Algonquin, Illinois, about 28 miles from home.  This trip was going to be a whole lot more.

We understand that only 135,000 tickets were to be sold.  That is a lot, but the motor speedway has fixed seats for 250,000 plus can be expanded to 400,000.  The number sold were consistent with pandemic guidelines.  Sue and Paul said that we still had our same seats up on the catwalk at the Southwest Vista section.

That means at the top of those stairs that kick my butt going up every year.  They have my number and require a couple stops when my knees give out temporarily.

BACK TO THE TRIP

Eventually we found the interstate and took to I-65 in Indiana and then on to Indianapolis.

Sue took over driving from Paul at a rest stop.  She always ends up with the stretch with most construction and bone shattering bumps.  Or, so it seems.  And, believe me, you feel each one very well in the RV.

Of course, we are now in the Eastern Daylight Saving Time zone, so we get to add an extra hour on to our watches.  I always hate when we have to do that.  But, we get it back on the return trip.

Just Along for the Ride.  --RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 2: A Great Spot to Stay at the Track and Cicero/Chicago Neighborhoods

May 28, Friday

I managed to eat four Sliders despite efforts by two long-eared mutts intent on joining me.

We were not able to attend the Indy 500 last year because of you-know-what.  I had been to nine before that.  We were all looking forward to going back.

I doubt anyone can have a better place to stay for the race than us.  We have been at the Speedway American Legion Post 500 for the last six years.  How do you like their post number?  I've been told they had quite the time to get that number.  Works for me.

We are right across Georgetown Road from the Speedway.  You can't get much closer than that.

Plus, we have electricity, a big plus in an RV when you're "camping" as it were.

After picking up John at the motel near the airport, there was some discussion as to how to get back to the interstate.  This caused a rather long drive through busy streets with lots of stoplights.  And, then we ended up driving through quite a few neighborhoods, but I enjoyed looking at some beautiful landscaping in from of Chicago's famed bungalow.  Plus, there were blocks and blocks of square houses.

Just Along for the Ride.  --RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 1: Cold and a Case of Sliders and We're On Our Way

Last weekend, I went back to the Indy 500 race after a one-year period because of the you-know-what.

We left on Friday, May 28, 2021.  I went with the usual cast of characters.

MAY 28 2021

I got up early and managed to get blog entries into six of them before driving over to Ingleside, Illinois, with Liz and meeting Sue and Paul, whose RV I was riding there.  They moved from Long Lake, Illinois, a little over a year ago and now live by Santa Fe, New Mexico.  They are staying at a friend's house there.

I also got to meet my two new travel companions, Stella and Chico, a brother-sister pair of  King German shepherds.

And, it was C-O-L-D!!!  Way too cold for this time of year.  Sadly, it was also cold in Indianapolis.  Plus, we had sprinkles and light rain on top of it which stayed on and off the whole way to Indianapolis.

The owner of the house has done a great landscaping job and has a pool of giant koi and gold fish.

Once we left, we drove Rollins Road east to Grand Avenue where we stopped at the White Castle by Gurnee Mills for our annual Slider Fix, much to Sue's chagrin.  Now we had a 30 case with plenty of extra pickles and Dusseldorf mustard.  (To me, a proper Slider must be "fixed" with plenty of pickles and a slab of that mustard to be right.)

Of course, those Sliders drew the attention of Chico and Stella.

Breakfast of Champions as we got on the Tri-State to pick up Paul's brother John at a hotel near Midway Airport.  John is the fourth member of our contingent.  

--RoadDog

Lincoln Logs: Get Your $1.40 Haircut in Plainfield, Illinois This Week

From the June 2, 2021, Plainfield (Illinois) Patch "Lincoln Way  Barber Shop  celebrates 140 years with $1.40 haircuts" by Emily Rosca.

This really old barbershop, 140 years, is celebrating that milestone in Plainfield, Illinois, with $1.40 haircuts from June 1 to June 5.  Which means you now have two days to get the deal, or pay more, much more.

Don Kinley, 84, is the shop's fourth generation owner.  His great grandfather, Al  Worst, first opened the place in 1881 when it was named The Al Worst Barber Ship but quickly acquired the name "the Worst Barber Shop in Plainfield" for some reason.

His son Floyd took it over in 1928 and ran it for about 63 years and then his son Bob ran it until 1993.  When he died, it was bought by Don Kinley who has run it ever since.

It has been located at its current address at 24045 W. Lockport Street since 1902.  The name was changed to the Lincoln War Barber Shop in the 1940s in honor of our famed Lincoln Highway.

June 6, Sunday, they will have an open house featuring the history of the places, photographs and two barbershop quartets.

I'm about in need of a haircut myself, but Plainfield is a bit far for me.

--RoadShaggy

Along 66, May 2021: Skyview Drive-In Theater for Sale and a Gas Pump Stolen

I get these from the Route 66 News blog site.  I, however, just pick the stories I am most interested in.  For more news, go to the site which has at least one story from 66 everyday.

MAY 2

The Skyview Drive-In Theater in Litchfield, Illinois has been put up for sale at $420,000.  It can serve up to 700 vehicles.

Drive-Ins across the country saw their business go up rapidly because of the pandemic.

They reopened already for their 71st season.

We are fortunate here in McHenry County, Illinois, to have an old drive-in theater in the City of McHenry (and this one has a concrete screen, not like the billboard screens that the Skyview has.  I like to go to our local Dog 'N Suds in Ingleside, Illinois, get a coney dog or charcoburger and wash it down with that great root beer and then go see a move.  That's my real retro thing.

MAY 3

A vintage gas pump was stolen from the Owl Court property in Oklahoma City.  The Owl Court motel dates back to 1931.  The pump to 1930.

Brew Brother Coffee is located in the long-closed motel's office.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back from the Indy 500

We left Friday, May 28 and came back yesterday, Monday May 31.

We drove 238 miles.  This was the farthest I'd been from home since March 2020. Between then and Friday, the farthest I had been from Spring Grove, Illinois, was 28 miles to Algonquin which I drove twice.

Something about this virus thing.

Plus, I had not been around crowds of any size, mostly just stores and groceries.  The crowd Sunday was 135,000 and if you ask me, I'd say more.

So, this was a big thing for me.

And, congrats to Helio Castroneves on his fourth win, showing that the old dogs can sometimes beat the young dudes.

--RoadAway