Along66 July 2022: Angel Delgadillo, 95, Retiring from Barbering After 75 Years

JULY 8

Angel Delgadillo, 95, of Seligman, Arizona, announced his retirement from barbering after 75 years at the trade.  He is a huge name in Route 66 anything.  Also known as "The Guardian Angel of Route 66."

Virtually all of those 75 years were spent in Seligman.

His very first day was when he started at a barbering college on July 27,1947, in Pasadena, California.  (This place, by the way, was on Colorado Avenue, Route 66.)   He completed his apprenticeship in Williams, Arizona, another Route 66 town.  

Angel opened his barbershop in Seligman in 1950 in a building his father opened a barbershop.  He has been at his present location since 1972 because of the new alignment of Route 66.

He is one of those people who make the road so much fun.  I doubt that he will move away from the road that he loves so much.  We feel ourselves fortunate to have met him.

--RoadDog

New Sites Added to U.S. Civil Rights Trail-- Part 2

Established in 1841 in Memphis, Beale Street featured black-owned businesses and became a place where Blacks could work and enjoy themselves during segregation.

The street in Memphis' downtown was the site of the march led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that turned violent in March 1968.  The civil rights leader was killed in Memphis April 4, 1968, when he returned to lead a march in support of striking sanitation workers.

WDIA was the first station in the country programmed for the black community.

Located on Museum Row in Louisville, the Muhammad Ali Center features exhibits centered on the boxer's influential life and career.  Formerly known as Cassius Clay, Ali was born in Louisville and died in 2016 at age 74.

The SEEK Museum recognizes the work of Alice Allison Dunningham with a life-size statue and an exhibit.  Dunnigan was the first black woman admitted to the press corps for the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court.

--RoadDog

New Sites Added to U.S. Civil Rights Trail in 2020

From the March 1, 2020, Chicago Tribune by Adrian Sainz, AP.

Two sites in Kentucky and two in Tennessee have been added to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.

The Mohammad Ali Center in Louisville and the SEEK Museum in Russellville are the two new sites in Kentucky.  In Memphis, Tennessee, the Beale Street Historic District and the WDIA radio station were  added to the trail which was launched in 2018 to promote civil rights tourism.

The Civil Rights Trail includes about 120 churches, schools, courthouses, musuems and other landmarks, primarily between Topeka, Kansas, and Washington, D.C., that were important to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

--RoadDog

Along66, July 2022: Rock City Cafe and Ozark Motel in Missouri

JULY 7

A dive into the history of the defunct Rock City on You Tube channel called Gateway Explorer.

The Rock City Cafe that once stood along Route 66 in Eureka, Missouri, (outside St. Louis). was built in 1933 by Ed LaMarr on a hill at the edge of Times Beach along the 1932 alignment of Route 66.

It was operated by Luther "Ambrose" Keeton who expanded it to include a gas station and tourist cabins.  It was once called the Ozark Motel.

Stones from it were quarried from Babler State Park by 40-50 members of the CCC.  The place was very popular until bypassed by I-44 in the 1950s.

In 1957, the whole place was demoslished and the land sat vacant until this past spring when the Byerly RVs cleared the land for an expansion of their parking lot.

--RoadDog

Blues Brothers All Over Joliet This Weekend-- Part 3

On Saturday, fans will get the gospel side of things when a gospel music service will be followed by music from Mondo Cortez & the Chicago Blues Angels and then Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials.

Local gospel groups Will Terry & Sounds of Joy, Chrysann Moore and the Lewis University Gospel Choir will perform after an ecumenical church service.  A free open-to-the-public screening of the "Blues Brothers" will conclude the festivities Saturday night.

Said Jim Belushi, "This movie brought great joy.  It's great music.  It's mischievous and fun."

"And, it's a mission from God to deliver spititual awakening, bringing everyone to the light with joy of the music that was born and bred in gospel."

The Blues Brothers Band headlines Friday night with Dan Aykroyd reprising his role as Elwood Blues and Jim Belushi channeling his late brother John as "Joliet" Jake.

"We're gonna do a full 90-minute Blues Brothers show -- me and Danny kicking it with a 10-piece band, three horns, two guitars, a B-3 organ, three backup singers, harmonica players," Belushi said.  "Danny plays harmonies, I play harmonica.  ...And the great news is Curtis Salgado is playing before us."

A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight.  --RoadJake

Blues Brothers All Over Joliet This Weekend (Well, at the Prison Anyway)-- Part 2

The whole Blues Brothers Con is being hosted by the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

Today, you can hear the sounds of Toronzo Cannon and Curtis Salgado.  (I am listening to Curtis Salgado right now on You Tube.  How'd I ever miss him?  Some great blues and reminds me of St. Paul & the Broken Bones.  And, he has a definite connection to the movie "Blues Brothers" as the film's character "Curtis," played by Cab Calloway, is named after him.  

Other convention attractions will be a vintage car show featuring the Chicago Bluesmobile, Mount Prospect's Pre-Bluesmobile, vintage Chicago police cars and Illinois State vehicles from the film era (1980), Blues Brothers merchandise, live country and western music from Bob's Country Bunker Beer Garden (hopefully with a chicken wire cage and please remember they have both kinds of music: country and western.)

Also, food at the Maxwell Street Market pop-up.  And art demonstrations and repurposed artwork from the damaged areas of the Joliet Prison.

Plus, today, the Blues Brothers band will play a 90 minute set, starring Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belshi as well as original band members Thomas "Bones" Malone and Steve Cropper

--RoadBlues

Blues Brothers All Over Joliet This Weekend-- Part 1: 'They're Baaaack and On a Mission from ?'

From the August 18, 2022, Chicago Tribune "Jum Belushi fully prepped for return as 'Joliet' Jake" by Darcel Rockett.

The inaugural Blues Brothers Con is just a few hours away now.  Are you ready to "Shake a Tailfeather," get that old-time religion or find out why there is chicken wire on the stage at Bob's Country Bunker?

If so, you need to be in Joliet, just a bit off good old Route 66.  In a world where comic books, TV shows and movies get their conventions, the 1980s movie "Blues Brothers" finally gets its own.

I have already written about it in this blog, but here is some more on it.  It will take place at the Old Joliet Prison on August 19 and 20.   Of course, this place also served as the introduction of the movie where Joliet Jake (John Belushi) is walking the corridor and meets brother Dan Aykroyd in the Bluesmobile outside.

I must admit that "Blues Brothers" is my second all-time favorite film after "Animal House."

--RoadBrother

Looking for Craft Beer on Illinois Route 66-- Part 3: McGrain Brewing, Elder Brewing and Route 66 Old School Brewing

**  McGRAIN BREWING COMPANY, Joliet

50 East Jefferson Street,#106

In Joliet's historic downtown in the old train station turned brewpub with a breathtaking, turn-of-the-century facade.  Names of some of the brews reflect Joliet's history.  

13 craft beers on tap at any given time.  A full menu as well.

**  ELDER BREWING COMPANY, Joliet

218 Cass St,

Featuring over 14 on-tap selections as well as some canned beer.  Popcorn's always free and food available from nearby restaurants.

**  ROUTE 66 OLD SCHOOL BREWING, Wilmington

110 Bridge Street

Hey, we even like the name.  Run by a solver medal master brewer.  12-tap beers.

--RoadBrew

Looking for Route 66 Craft Beer in Illinois-- Part 2: Miskatonic Brewing and Will County Brewing

Some more places for craft beer along and near Route 66 in Illinois.

**  MISKATONIC BREWING COMPANY

1000 N. Frontage Road, Unit C, Darien

This is an H.P. Lovecraft-inspired brewery for fans of horror and the macabre, plus if you like small-batch beer.  This is hidden in an industrial area just off Route 66.

They offer upsome of the finest brews along the Mother Road.

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

**  WILL COUNTY BREWING COMPANY

1142 Jefferson Street, Shorewood

Over 16 craft beers on tap, including cider.  Easy to find from Route 66. Wide selection of revolving beers along with a large bar, tasting room and visible production area.

--RoadDrinker

Looking for Route 66 Craft Beer in Illinois-- Part 1: Flapjack Brewery and Black Horizon Brweing

From the May 21, 2022, Northwest Herald (McHenry County, Illinois) "First Hundred Miles: Toast Illinois Craft Beer Week along Route 66" by Ryan Searl.

**  FLAPJACK BREWERY

6833 Stanley Avenue, Berwyn

Also wood-fired pizza  A wide variety of small-batch beers.  A revolving tap from hoppy IPAs to coffee stouts.

**  BLACK HORIZON BREWING CO.

7560 S. Quincy Street, Willowbrook

Dubbed  "a small microbrewery," has award-winning, barrel-aged beer. Features a rotating variety of new and old favorites.

I think good buddy Denny Gibson might be interested in this.  He has visited upwards of a thousand microbreweries in his travels.

--RoadBeer

Along66, July 2022: The Blues Brothers at Joliet Prison August 19 and 20

JULY 6

Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi to perform next month at the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois.  The proceeds will benefit the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

It will be a two-day event, August 19 and 20.

There will be a free screening of the movie "Blues Brothers" where, of course Jake was incarcerated before his release in the opening of the movie.  (My second all-time favorite movie after "Animal House.")

There will also be other entertainment and food.

Dan Aykroyd was an original Blues Brother.  Other Blues Brother experiences which will be offered are  Maxwell Street and Bob's Country Bunker, derived from the movie.  Also a religious service at the Triple Rock Baptist Church.

Also, a Bluesmobile car show.

Organizers would like attendees to dress up Blues Brothers fashion.

$60 for a two-day pass for adults, $20 for children.

The prison's historic walls were built in 1858 and it closed in 2004.

Sounds Like a Great Time.  --RoadBrother

2021 Endangered Illinois Sites-- Part 4: Scott Foresman, Havana, Joliet, Green Book

**  SCOTT FORESMAN HEADQUARTERS, Glenview.

Midcentury  modern design, built 1966 for the textbook publishing business.

**  HAVANA WATER TOWER,  Havana.  

Vuilt 1889.  It needs extensive work,top to bottom.

**  JOLIET STEEL MILL MAIN OFFICE, Joliet

139-year-old building has been very neglected

**  GREEN BOOK SITES

Already discussed.

How Many Green Book Sites Remain?  --RoadDog

Some Other Illinois Endangered Sites-- Part 3: Chicago, Cicero, Decatur and East St. Louis

**  Altgeld Gardens Shop Building and School Buildings C and E in Chicago.   Known as the "Up-Top", the wavy roofed  retail building of the Chicago Housing Authority's Altgeld Gardens housing complex is privately owned

**  James R. Thompson Center, Chicago.  It has been on the endangered list for a long time

**  Klas Restaurant, Cicero.  Vacant and up for sale on Cermack Road long served as an anchor for the Czech culture in the region

**  Illinois Terminal Interurban Station, Decatur.  It was first a rail station and then  a church.  Built in 1931.

**  Broadview Hotel, East St. Louis.  Built in 1927, the hotel has fallen into disrepair but could be used as more than 100 housing units for seniors.

--RoadDog

Illinois Endangered Sites 2021-- Part 2: About Those 'Green Book' Sites

"The Negro Motorist Green Book"  (called Green Book for the author's name) directed readers to lodging, dining and service options that would be friendly to black travelers, sometimes including private homes or out-of-the-way establishments that could be easily lost to disrepair or demolition without their past role on America's racial apartheid system being noted.  (It was so sad that this happened at all.)

"One of the reasons we wanted to highlight the 'Green Book' sites is because of how much work still needs to be done," said Frank Butterfield, director of the group's Springfield office.  "Initial research shows more than 250 sites from the 'Green Book' on Illinois, but how many of those remain is unclear.  We really want to highlight the stories of those who visited or operated these places."

To that end, the group is asking for "citizen researchers" to help it take stock of the long list of locations. Some are likely to be in disrepair or even long gone, demolished by owners who might not have known they had the deed to a piece of history.

The process could be as simple as driving by a site near someone's house and reporting whether it is still standing and occupied.  Anyone interested in aiding the project, or whom knows those whom operated or patronized "Green Book" businesses, is encouraged to reach out to Butterfield.

--RoadDog

Illinois Most Endangered Sites 2021: The Thompson Center and 'Green Book'

From the May 6, 2022, Chicago Tribune "Endangered history:  From 'Green Book' sites to Thompson Center" by Charles j. Johnson.

They didn't list the 11 Most-Endangered Places in 2020 for some reason, but the Landmarks Illinois folks released their list of nine places, six of them in the Chicago and suburban counties.

Chicago's James R. Thompson Center made the list for the fourth consecutive time.  It is not known what will happen to the 1985 Loop building designed by Helmut Jahn.  (Just recently it appears that Amazon bought it.)

The rest of the list doesn't just include big downtown buildings but also more humble locations that hold enormous cultural significance.

Making the list for the first time are the state's "Green Book" sites.  The "Negro Motorist Green Book" was published between the 1930s and the 1960s as a guide for black people who faced refusal of service and the threat of violence in some areas while traveling, including Illinois in so-called "Sundown Towns" where a black person would be in serious trouble if they were still in town after the sun went down.

The guidebook was the title of the 2018 feature film.

--RoadDog

Along66, July 2022: The Lodge Off 66 in Illinois

I take these Along66 blog entries from what I consider to be the best source of information on our favorite road, Route 66 News blog.  It has entries every day with pictures and a lot more that what I write about.  I only choose stories of special interest to me.

JULY 2

One of Logan County's (Illinois) oldest bars has been renamed The Lodge Off 66.

It is located six miles off the nearest Route 66 alignment at 2265 900th Avenue in Hartsburg, Illinois (pop. 314).

It has ties to bootlegging during Prohibition.  Al Capone visited the place.

It doesn't look like much on the outside, but the inside s a whole different story.  Sounds like Sundays are a real lot of fun.

It is six miles from Lincoln, Illinois.

--RoadDog

Along66, June 2022: The Chelsea Underpass and the Boots Court Motel

JUNE 29

Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea, Oklahoma, has reopened for the public.

Vandalism forced its closure a year ago.  It was refurbishd in 2011 with a Route 66 mural.

Route 66 was so busy that the town built it so locals could safely get to the other side of the four lane highway.

There are also pedestrian tunnels on Route 66 in Reno, Oklahoma, and Sayre, Oklahoma.  Also a filled in tunnel is in Odell, Illinois.

JUNE 30

A TV station has taken a look at the renovations to the Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri.  The station is KSN-TV.

They are hoping to have it open again the town's Maple Leaf Festival in October.

It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Liz and I were able to stay there  when the gals came in and redid the place.

--RoadDog