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

Anita King-- Part 3: Her Cross-Country Drive in 1915

In 1915, she decided to put her automobile driving experience to the test and become the first woman to drive alone across the United States.  She had the backing of her studio boss Jesse L. Lasky and his newly formed Paramount Pictures.

They got Kissel Motor Company to provide a car that was fitted out with Firestone Tires.

The whole undertaking was dubbed "The Paramount Girl" and amidst a lot of publicity, she left Paramount Studio in Hollywood on August 25, 1915.  The Los Angeles Times reported her only companions would be a rifle and six-shooter.

--RoadKing

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

The Tire Business Is Good in 1917

From the February 15, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Corey & Son who operate the tire shop at North Third Street in DeKalb have just completed the installation of new machinery for tire vulcanizing.

"The business in this line has increased by bounds and jumps with the Coreys, and they have secured services of another man in order to get the work out when wanted."

Tire Me Up Another.  --RoadDog

How Deep Can We Go?

Two other stories I came across of interest:

1. This June 23-24 will mark the 75th anniversary of the opening of the LINCOLN CAVERNS in Pennsylvania. They were discovered during the construction of US Highway 22 and purchased by Myron Dunlavy in 1932 and been in his family ever since.

In honor of the event, tickets this weekend will be reduced 75%, to $2.65. The caverns are located about three miles west of Huntington, PA, and on, of course, US-22.


2. 157 YEAR OLD SHIPWRECK FOUND- The remains of the steamship General Anthony Wayne, named after the Revolutionary War hero, have been discovered in Lake Erie, about 8 miles north of Vermillion under 50 feet of water.

It was discovered by amateur shipwreck prospector Thomas Kowalczk, using sonar.

The Wayne sank when its boilers exploded enroute from somewhere near Toledo to Buffalo. Thirty-eight of the ninety-three passengers and crew died.

The wreck belongs to the state of Ohio and salvaging is illegal. But divers can visit after it is surveyed.


Down, Down, Down I Go. --RoadDog

THIS DAY IN AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY- 1947- A Ford Marries a Firestone. Marie Firestone married William Clay Ford. Her father's company was greatly helped when Ford gave Firestone exclusive right to provide the tires for the Model Ts.