The Black Impact on Atlanta, Illinois

I admit I was completely unaware of the role that Blacks have played in the history of Atlanta so am glad the city is going to bring that information forward.

Members of the Atlanta Tourism group would like to pay tribute to Blacks for their role in adding to the town's history.

"There is the iconic bubbler fountain (drinking fountain), former Atlanta Fair ticket booth, Knights of Pythias marker and more mementos from Atlanta's past.  However, these mementos only tell one side of the story.  There is not an outdoor marker or sign detailing the black experience in Atlanta, which can be traced back to the Civil War."

"We will be creating  outdoor signage and an exhibit portraying this.  It will highlight the black Civil War veterans who settled in Atlanta, detail the vents of the Atlanta Fair BBQ, which commemorated the 12th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, memorialize the first black graduate from Atlanta High School (Walter White in 1884) and utilize oral histories of the black experience in recent Atlanta history.

Plans call to have some of this in Atlanta's Route 66 Park.  Funds will be used to create an interpretive experience for all this.

--RoadDog

Two Other Illinois Byway Members Receive Grants as Well

Continued from the previous post.  Two other places in Illinois received a $1,000 grant:

**  O'Brien Tire  & Auto Care Group in Granite City to help with a mural.  They have operated on the original alignment of Route 66 in Granite City since 1932 and claims to be the longest-running auto repair shop on 66.

They have spend about $35,000 to adopting a Route 66 theme to their place and have the largest tire with a Route 66 insert at eight feet.  I have not seen this place, but may have to check it out next time we're that way.  (Information on this place from the Route 66 News site.)

**  DeCamp Station in Staunton to help waterproof the bar basement and preserve the foundation.

We were so happy to finally get to go inside this place a few years back during a motor tour.  

We've always had the misfortune to have it closed when we've driven by before.  Either that, or we had somewhere we had to be.

And, We Can Always Use More Murals.  --RoadDog

Two Logan County (Illinois) Tourism Icons Receive Grants

From the January 26, 2022,  Lincoln (Illinois) Courier.

The Atlanta Tourism and Logan Tourism/The Mill Museum each received a $1,000 grant from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway organization.

The Mill Museum  in Lincoln is a once-popular restaurant featuring a Dutch-design with turning windmill opened in 1929.  It is now a museum that houses collections from the Tropics, Pig Hip and The Mill.

The money will be used to buy materials for an open-air pavilion behind the museum.

Members of the Atlanta Tourism group want to highlight and pay tribute to the role Blacks have made in the history of their town.

--RoadDog

Along66, Dec. 2022: Illinois Tourism Awards and Someone Buys Doc's in Girard

DECEMBER 20

Route 66 Campaign, Joliet Area Historical Museum win Illinois tourism awards.

The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau won the Illinois Excellence in Tourism award for Best International Marketing for its Route 66 Campaign.

The Joliet Area Historical Museum won Best Event or Festival on a budget less than $500,000 for its "A Night Behind Bars" in the Old Joliet Prison."   ("Blues Brothers")

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DECEMBER 21

Doc's Soda Fountain in Girard gets new owner.

The 130-years-old store plans to reopen sometime in April after some interior work is done.

The Deck brothers ran it for many years when it was called Deck's Drug Store.  Their grandfather started the drug store in 1884 and the soda fountain dates to 1929.

Bob and Renae Erust bought the building in 2007 and renamed it Doc's Soda Fountain and the Deck family loaned them their pharmacy collection.

--RoadDog

Along66 Dec. 2021: The Corvair Museum in Glenarm Closing

DECEMBER 19, 2021

The Corvair Museum in Glenarm, Illinois, will be closing next month and is seeking a new location on Route 66.

Curator Mike Hall also president of the Corvair Preservation Foundation announced this message. 

The building they are in has been sold and they've lost their lease.  The museum moved from Decatur to Glenarm in 2019.  But COVID has messed things up and the museum is open only by appointment now

The Chevrolet Corvair was a compact model made from 1960 to 1969

The current museum is located at 10041 Palm Road in Glenarm.  They are looking for a place on Route 66.

Maybe they should check out McLean, Illinois, which has been doing a lot with renewal.

--RoadDog

Whirl-A-Whip or Whirla Whip?

After writing so much about the Whirl-A-Whip restaurant in Girard, Illinois, I went on to see if this was a chain or what kind of company it was.

There is a website for Whirla Whip at www.whirlawhip.com that does not appear to be too much up to date.  It said the company has been around in the United States for over 30 years (but I don't know when the site was written).

Under Find a Store,  they said they have been an American icon for not only its innovation nut its great tasting ice cream.

In the late 90s, most of the Whirla Whip stores closed because of rising labor costs.

Beginning with the summer of 2016, they will have a roll out of their products, evidently a lot in the Pacific Northwest.

Besides the one in Girard, I found one other one listed at Dakota Drug in Stanley, North Dakota.  It is part of their soda fountain.

--RoadaWhirl

Along66, Dec. 2021: Some More About the Whirl-A-Whip in Girard, Illinois

DECEMBER17, 2021

**  Now owned by Brent Barnes.

**  Only outdoor seating.  Open March to October.

**  Only two other Whirl-A-Whips are left and are both in North Dakota

**  The current sign in Girard is original.

**  The ice cream is made in an original Whirl-A-Whip machine.

**  Barnes bought it in 2013 after it had been closed for four years and says he did it for the community, "If no owner bought it, they probably would have torn it down."

This past summer he had a hard time staffing it and had to close.

They have 55 food items including their famous deep-fried soft tacos nd fifty flavors of ice cream.

The Route 66 Burger is a 1/3 pound Angus with Whirl-A-Whip sauce, pepper jack cheese, bacon and is topped with an onion ring and costs $5.25.

Breaded pork tenderloin for $4.50

Of course, considering its location, they also have Horseshoes and Ponyshoes.

Located at 309 South 3rd Street.

We'll have to check this place out.

--Roaddog

Five Man Electrical Band's 'Signs' Based on Trip on Route 66

The song starts  with a line that has become one of the most memorable in rock:  "And the sign said, 'Long-haired  freaky people need not apply."

By starting with the word "and," we feel we are picking up on a story, and it's clear that that the singer had put a lot of thought into this.  The first line is a classic tale of how looks can be deceiving, as the difference between an "upstanding man" and a hippie can be something as superficial as hair.

The next line finds the singer looking at a "no trespassing" sign and questioning its authority.  This resonates with anyone who has seen beautiful beaches, vistas, and other points of nature marked as private property, often with no one there to enjoy it.

We then enter a private club with a strict dress code, and we hear the line most willful  wanderers have been confronted with:  "You ain't supposed to be here."

Finally, we end up in church, which brings  God into our story.  If ever there was something that is open to all, it is God, but even in church, a donation is called for.  At this point, our hero turns to the tables and makes his own sign, thanking God for the wonder of life.

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

I don't know because I never saw them live in concert, but might they have used a different phrasing in the line "Blocking out the scenery?"

--RoadSigns

Les Emmerson's 'Signs' Based on a Trip Along California's Route 66

From Sing Facts.

In the last post I mentioned that Route 66 had something to do with the song "Signs" by Canada's Five Man Electric Band.

Written by  lead singer Les Emmerson, this song is a look at class divisions and property rights.  He wrote the song after taking a  road trip on Route 66 in California, where he noticed way too many billboards that obscured natural beauty.

This posed a question for him.    Who is allowed to put up signs that interfere with nature?  This led to another question.  Who gets to make the rules that appear on so many signs?

The song gives voice to those without power or property rights., which in many cases were young people.

The Five Man Electric Band  are a Canadian group formed in the 1960s as the Stacattos.  "Signs was included on their second album in 1970,  but not considered single-worthy by their record label..  It didn't fit any pop music format.

In 1970, it was issued as the  B-side of "Hello Melinda Goodbye" which made it to #55 on the Canadian chart.  Disk jockeys preferred the flipside and began playing "Signs."  It was released again in 1971 as the A-side.  It went to #4 in Canada but #3 in the United States.  Its follow-up "Absolutely Right" did alright as well, reaching  #26.

--RoadDog

Along66, Dec. 2021: Tornado in Edwardsville, 'Signs', Whirl-A-Whip

DECEMBER 13

Edwardsville, Illinois, the morning after a tornado killed six after it hit an Amazon Distributing Center.

DECEMBER 16

Les Emmerson, writer of the Route 66-inspired song "Signs" at age 77.  By the group Five Man Electric Band.  Always liked this song.  

"And the sign said "Long-Haired Freaky People Need Not Apply.' "  I though I could sing this song at karaoke once.  Turns out I couldn't.

DECEMBER 17

More about the historic Whirl-A-Whip restaurant in Girard, Illinois.  It was on the 1926-1932 alignment before it was moved east.

Opened by the Lockwoods in 1957 and has had five sets of owners since then.

--RoadDog

Along66, Dec.2021: The Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame in Missouri

DECEMBER 13

The inaugural class for the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame has been announced, and includes two people we had the fortune to meet.

**  Bob and Ramona Lehman of the Munger-Moss Motel  We were so sorry we couldn't get there last year for their anniversary party.  COVID, you know.

**  Frank and Dorothy Nelson, creators of Nelson's Dream Village and Nelson Tavern.  I sure wish these two places were still around, but at least they have the fountain at the new Route 66 park in Lebanon.

**  Charles and Lida Spears and Emis and Lois Spears of Camp Joy in Lebanon.  Again, wish that was still there.

**  Bill Wheeler the organizer of the Lebanon Route 66 Festival and the Lebanon-Laclede Society.

**  Glenn Wrinkle of Wrink's Market.  We spent several visits talking with him.  What a character.

--RoadDog

Family Restoring Threatt Gas Station in Oklahoma-- Part 2

Jennifer Sandy, field director for the National Trust for Historic Preservation agreed that this station is important in black history.  She noted that in a 1939 newspaper clipping indicates that the Threatt filling station may have been the only "Negro station" in the U.S. at the time.  And, it was likely the only black-owned station on Route 66 at the time.

In 2021, the Threatt station made the  National Trust for Historic Preservation's Most Endangered Places list  And that is a big step in its preservation because in the 34-year history of this list of more than 300 places, only 5% have been lost.

Because the Threatt station was family owned, it didn't have to answer to a national corporation for its design.  This made it much more distinctive from other stations, particularly because they used native stone that was mined nearby.

But, of course, there then comes the question of money for restoration.  At one time it was estimated that it would cost $200,000 to do everything needed at the station, including plumbing and electrical.  COVID had caused the costs to go considerably.

The Threatts are still raising money and have a site for donations.  They hope to start restoration work this year, ultimately turning it into a visitors center.

I certainly wish them success.  We passed by it and didn't even know the importance of it one time.

Now, We Know.  --RoadDog

Family Restoring Gas Station That Served Black Travelers

From January 11, 2022, Fast Company "On Route 66, a family restoring the only gas station built for black travelers" by Kristi Eaton.

The Threatt Filling Station was established near Luther, Oklahoma, in 1915, but, after closing in the 1970s, it began a long decline, but the original family, the Threatts are now looking to revitalize and  preserve that station.

What made this station special was that it served black travelers along the Mother Road.  Many white-owned stations wouldn't.

The property originally  included 160 acres that included a farm, a field for Negro League baseball games, an outdoor stage and a bar.  Allen Threatt Sr. built the station around 1915 and the station continued to operate until the 1970s.

One of Allen's grandsons, Ed Threatt  and other relatives are now working to restore this historic property.

"It's part of black history within the state of Oklahoma," Ed said.  "For him to acquire 160 acres of land in that Jim Crow  era, that's no small feat."

--RoadDog

Along66, Dec. 2021: Death of Indy 500 Champ Al Unser

DECEMBER 12

Racing legend Al Unser (and Albuquerque native) dies at 82.  Won the Indy 500 four times and is the third member of the Unser family to die this year.  His older brother Bobby Unser died in May and Bobby, Jr. died six weeks later.  Bobby Under won the Indy 500 three times.  Pretty good family record there.

Al Unser won the Indy in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. He is the only driver in history to have a sibling win the 500 as well as a child.

His final victory in 1987 at age 47 also made him the oldest 00 winner.

Other four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500:  A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Helio Castroneves.

--RoadDog

Along66, Dec. 2021: A Drive-In Theater Reopening, Neon and All That Christmas

DECEMBER 9

Tee Pee Drive-On in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, offers preview of its new neon sign.  It will be 25 feet high.

The reopening of the drive-in, located on the west side of Sapulpa will be in April.

It was originally built in 1950 and the last movie was shown in either 1999 or 2000.

Located at 1705 W. Highway 66 on the Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66.  This was Route 66 through town from 1926 to 1952 and includes the 1925 Rock Creek Bridge. 

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

DECEMBER 12

A Normal, Illinois, house has a display of 900 Christmas decorations.  It is a half mile west of Route 66.

This display consists of 900 blow-mold Santas, gingerbread men, snowmen, reindeer and even a few aliens for good measure.

Take a look at the video and the Christmas spirit will strike you.

Ho, Ho, Ho!!  --RoadSanta

Along66, Dec. 2021: Something About Coney Dogs and Tulsa

DECEMBER 4

Carl's Coney Island in Tulsa marks its 50th year.

On October 21, they served 50 cent Coney digs all day at its location in Crystal City Shopping Center.

Owner Mike and Janet Cook have sold it, but the new owners say they will keep things the same.

Carl Kennedy founded it in 1971.

Tulsa has a long history with Coney dogs.  One of the regional chains featuring it is the I-Lander which started in 1926.  There is also a Coney Island restaurant downtown.

These were founded by Greek immigrant Christ Economou.

Next time in Tulsa I am going to have to check one of these out.  I am a huge Coney Dog fan and really like the ones at the local Dog 'N Suds that we have around here.  (Three of the seven remaining Dog 'N Suds are located within twenty miles of us here in northeastern Illinois.)

Love Them Coney Dogs!!  --RoadConey

10 Common Scams Tourists Fall For-- Part 2

6.  Wi-fi hubs.  

5.  Character pictures

4.  Fake policemen

3.  Front desk identity theft

2.  Paris pickpockets

1.  Good samaritans

Best go through this list if you're going anywhere, especially overseas.

--RoadDog

10 Common Scams Tourists Fall For-- Part 1

From the January 5, 2022, ListVerse by Toby Oliva.

I am just listing these for the most part.  For more details, go to the site.

10. Terrible tours   Stay wit reputable  tour guides and companies.

9.  Money changing / Currency short-changing.

8.  Broken taxi meter

7.  "Free" tokens and trinkets.  I remember once on the Ocean Road in Australia were we kept seeing a place advertised as having free Coca Cola with their meals.  Well, we got the meal and a 4 ounce glass of Coke.

Well, it sure didn't slake my thirst much.

Still Thirsty.  --RoadDog

Along66, Dec. 2021: About That New Ghost Town in Texas

DECEMBER 3

Information unearthed on obscure Route 66 ghost town of Beonine, Texas.

This ghost town about a mile west of Texola, Oklahoma, appears to have already been defunct by the 1940s.  Virtually no trace of it remains.  

Even Jack Rittenhouse's 1946 "A Guide Book to Highway 66" doesn't mention it.

A guy did an interesting video of its location.  Worth watching.  Like with neon, museums and signage, you can never have too many ghost towns.

Texola, Oklahoma, itself is somewhat of a ghost town with justb36 people living there now.  There wasn't even anything about Beonine, Texas, in Wikipedia.

--RoadDog

Along66, Dec. 2021: New Signage in OKC and Oklahoma

I take these from the Route 66 News site.  This is the best site to keep up with what is happening along the Mother Road.  There is a post most every day and sometimes more than one.  Plus, this site gives a lot more information and even has pictures and video.  

I just pick the stories I'm most interested in and write about them, adding comments.

DECEMBER 2

Oklahoma City adds 200 Route 66 directional signs to its different alignments.  Included in these are alignments through the Britton District, Western Avenue, NW 39th Street, Asian District and Uptown 23.

Some of the landmarks along the ways are the Tower Theatre, Will Rogers Theatre, Milk Bottle Building, State Capitol, Gold Dome Building,  Owl Court Suites, Phillips 66 Station,, Route 66 Bowl and the Lake Overholser Bridge.  These cost the city $8,700.

Also this year, ODOT will be installing 400 new Route 66 direction signs.

Like with neon signs and museums, you can never have enough of the directional signs.  Already, Illinois and Missouri are well marked.  Looks like Oklahoma is joining them.  I look forward to the western states following suite.

--RoadDog

The Last Day of the Drive's Classic Rock A to Z, the Letter 'W': 'When I'm Sixty Four'

It started on December 24, 2021, and will be drawing to a close today, January 5, 2022.  That's13 days to go through over 2,000 songs in WDRV's massive record library.  Many of these are songs they don't often play.

Anyway, songs played so far today:

WHEN WILL I BE LOVED--  Linda Ronstadt

WHEN THE WORLD IS RUNNING DOWN--  Police

WHEN THE WHIP COMES DOWN--  Rolling Stones

WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER--  Doors

WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS--  Led Zeppelin

WHEN IT'S LOVE--  Van Halen

WHEN I'M SIXTY FOUR--  Beatles

WHEN I NEED YOU--  Leo Sayer

WHEEL IN THE SKY--  Journey

WHAT'S GOING ON--  Marvin Gaye

WHATEVER GETS YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT--  John Lennon

WHATCHA GONNA DO?--  Pablo Cruise

WHAT'S YOUR NAME--  Lynyrd Skynyrd

WHAT'S ON MY MIND--  Kansas

WHAT IT TAKES--  Aerosmith

WHAT IS LIFE--  George Harrison

WHAT IS AND WHAT SHOULD NEVER BE--  Led Zeppelin

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU--  Romantics

WHAT ABOUT LOVE--  Heart

**  By the way, Bob Stroud will be doing his annual "Gone But Not Forgotten" segment on his Rock and Roll Roots show from 9 to noon CST on the Drive.  It and the A to Z stream at www.wdrv.com.  

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Winter Is Here Again Oh Lord Haven't Been Home In A Year Or More."  

"Wheel in the Sky"

Classic Rock A to Z on Chicago's Drive Now at Letter 'S': 'She's a Lady'

If you're like me and a fan of what they call Classic Rock, you don't have much time left to tune into WDRV, 97.1 FM's annual end-of-the-year A to Z Countdown which began on Christmas Eve day and is still going, but likely to end sometime tomorrow after over 2,000 songs have been played.

These are songs they've played so far today while I have been a-typin' away with my two lil' fingers.

SHORT PEOPLE--  Randy Newman

SHOOTINGSTAR--  Bad Company

SHOOT TO THRILL--  AC/DC

SHOCK THE MONKEY--  Peter Gabriel

SHIP OF FOOLS--  Robert Plant

SHINING STAR--  Manhattans

SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND, PTS. 1-5--  Pink Floyd

SHINE A LITTLE LOVE--  ELO

SHE'S WAITING--   Eric Clapton

SHE'S THE ONE--  Bruce Springsteen

SHE'S SO COLD--  Rolling Stones

SHE'S NOT THERE--  Zombies

SHE'S LEAVING HOME--  Beatles

SHE'S GONE--  Hall & Oates

SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN--  Billy Joel

SHE'S A RAINBOW--  Rolling Stones

SHE'S A LADY--  Tom Jones

SHE'S A BEAUTY--  Tubes

Some folks binge-watch TV shows.  I binge-listen radio shows.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Wednesday Morning At Five O' Clock As The Day Begins."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"She's Leaving Home"

Along66, Nov. 2021: A 66 Parklet in Bloomington and Relighting the Shamrock in Sullivan

NOVEMBER 21

A forthcoming parklet in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, pays tribute to Route 66.  It is scheduled to be finished in early summer 2022.

Exactly what is a parklet?  It is actually just a sidewalk extension and located by the McLean County Museum of History, home of "Cruisin' With Lincoln on 66 visitors center.

For a city that for so long neglected its Route 66 heritage, Bloomington and Normal for that matter, have been catching up big time.  I'm so proud of them.

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

NOVEMBER 28

The Shamrock Court in Sullivan, Missouri, relighting is set for March 19 of 2022 and the hotel will likely reopen in 2023.

"Roamin' Rich" Dinkel, President of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, bought it earlier this year and has since then done many improvements to the old motel.  He has big plans for it.  

I had even thought about buying it, but motels are a real lot of work.  Much more than I, at my age, would want to do.

--Old, Real Old RoadDog.

Classic Rock A to Z in Chicago's WDRV, the Drive: 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Man'

They started the A to Z on Christmas Eve day and are still in it, now up to the letter "R".  They will have played some 2000+ songs by the time they wrap it up on Monday or Tuesday. 

Here are the ones I've been listening to while typing away at these blogs with my two little fingers:

RED RED WINE--  UB40

RED RAIN--  Peter Gabriel

RED HOUSE--  Jimi Hendrix Experience

RED BARCHETTA--  Rush

REBEL YELL--  Billy Idol

REBEL REBEL--  David Bowie

REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart

THE REAL ME--  Who

REAL LOVE--  Doobie Brothers

READY FOR LOVE--  Bad Company

RAMBLIN'MAN--  Allman Brothers

RAMBLIN' GAMBLIN' MAN--  Bob Seger  System

RAMBLE ON--  Led Zeppelin

RAINY DAY WOMEN 12 & 35--  Bob Dylan

THE RAPPER--  Jaggerz

THE RAIN SONG--  Led Zeppelin

RAIN ON THE SCARECROW--  John Mellancamp

RAIN--  Beatles

RAG DOLL--  Aerosmith

RADIOACTIVE--  The Firm

It streams at www.wdrv.com.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well, They'll Stone Ya When You're Trying To Be So Good."

Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Rainy Day Women 12 &35"

Along66, Nov. 2021: Watching 'Route 66' on You Tube

NOVEMBER 20

All 116 episodes of Route 66 TV drama are now in You Tube.  It aired on NBC from 1960 to 1964.

Sadly, however, the episodes were seldom shot on Route 66.   Each week the show was shot in a different locale.

It did serve as a training ground for up-and-coming directors  and actors.    Some of them:  James Caan, James Coburn, William Shatner, Robert Duvall, Jack Lord, Cloris Leachman Walter Matthau, Martin Sheen and others.

Star Martin Milner died in 2015.  George Maharis is still alive and 93 years old.

Sadly, I don't know which episodes were on the old Route 66.  I have heard two of them were shot on it.

I admit that I have never seen a whole episode of the show because when it was out, I was living with my parents. We had one 19-inch black and white TV and they got to watch what they wanted to watch and that wasn't the "Route 66"TV show.

--RoadDog

Along66, Nov. 2021: 'Lightning McQueen' in Galena, Kansas and Fort Wingate in New Mexico for Sale

NOVEMBER 15

Replica of Lightning McQueen from the "Cars" movie unveiled along Route 66 in Galena, Illinois.  It is part of Luigi's Pit Stop on East Front Street (Route 66).  It also has several other "Cars" characters.

The place used to be an old Kan-o-Tex gas station which was repurposed in 2006.

This is helping revitalize the community as well as other improvements.

NOVEMBER 19

Historic Fort Wingate in New Mexico is up for sale  for $11 million.  It is east of Gallup and originally was a trading post and military post.

It includes a cafe, post office and gas station, plus space for up to 80 RVs.

--RoadDog