Cherokee Hills Scenic Byway

The Oct. 13, 2008, Oklahoman reported that this 88-mile scenic byway through the Ozark Mountains in Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Sequoyah counties in northeastern Oklahoma had become the state's 8th Scenic Byway.

It runs along US Highways 59 and 410 and State Highways 10, 51, 62, 82 and 110.

The Oklahoma Byways Program is a joint effort by the Cherokee Nation, ODOT and the University of Oklahoma. This new one shows the cultural, topographical, and historical features of this part of the state. (I know that I always thought there wasn't anything much to see in Oklahoma until I took my first drive through the state on Route 66 and this is one impressive state!)

Some of the locations along the Cherokee Hills Scenic Byway are the Tahlonteeske Cherokee Courthouse Museum, Murrell Home, Cherokee heritage Center and Cherokee Natural Prison.

It joins the Osage Nation Heritage Trail, Wichita Mountains Byway, Cimarron Heritage Trail, Mountain Pass Scenic Byway, Mountains Gateway Scenic Byway and the Talimena Scenic Drive which is also a National Scenic Byway.

Another Great Drive. --RoadDog

Handsome Harry and Lana Turner

Like I said, I'd never heard this story, so went to good old Wikipedia to get some background.

John Stompanato, Johnny's father and owner of the barbershop, lived from 1890 to 1952. His son Johnny was born in 1925 and died April 4, 1958.

Johnny was also called "Handsome Harry" and "Johnny Stomp" and was quite the ladies man, but was known as being possessive and jealous. He once even pointed a gun at Sean Connery on a movie set.

Lana Turner's daughter Cheryl hear an argument between them getting serious and stabbed Stompanato to death. The courts ruled it justifiable homicide. The Stompanato family later sued Turner for $7 million.

So, go to Cobb's, have a drink, eat some food, and get into some history.

Johnny Stompanato is interred at Woodstock's Oakland Cemetery.

Quite a Story, Definitely ET Worthy. --RoadDog

D. C. Cobbs in Woodstock, Il.

Interesting story about a a party place in Woodstock that we have visited a couple times, but I didn't know this bit of history about the place.

It is just off the square and owned by Daniel Hart who just completed a one-year renovation during which an original interior wall was uncovered. This was the site of the famous Stompanato's Barber Shop.

Fifty years ago, the son of owner John became involved with actress Lana Turner and was stabbed to death by the Turner's 14-year-old daughter Cheryl. I'd never heard this story before. The restaurant has several pictures of Johnny Stompanato.

The walls will be left as they are. Also, the original window openings were found and original 1940s newspapers will be placed in them.

From the November 4th Northwest Herald "Renovation uncovers Woodstock History" by Chris Freeman.

Sex and Sin in the Wood. --RoadDog

Bob Waldmire-- Part 3

The Chicago Tribune today ran an article and excellent video on noted Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, calling him an icon of the road, which he certainly is.

He reminds me of a person we used to know from Put-in-Bay, Ohio, Charlie Brown. He spent his summers out on the island and winters in the Keys and drove an old Volkswagen van as well. Didn't know if I should be sorry for him, or jealous. But, like Bob, he was one of those fortunate enough to be able to spend his life doing exactly what he wanted to do and when he wanted to do it.

Anyway, here is the place to see the video and article.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-dying-route-66-icon-05-nov05,0,7220519.story

Hoping to get to see him next week.

We'll Sure Miss Bob. --RoadDog

Civil War Monument-- Woodstock, Illinois

Along with the Spring House and gazebo, the most noticeable structure in Woodstock's historical square is this monument, originally dedicated in 1909 in quite a celebration with 3,000 in attendance.

Yesterday, Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager rededicated it in front of about 25 people, including myself and wife Liz, on it's 100th anniversary. The grandson and great grandson of the monument's maker were also there and will be in charge of working on repairs once the $10,000 is raised.

There was a nice article in the Northwest Herald about it by Diana Sroka.

More on it at my Civil War Blog: http:sawtheelephant.blogspot.com

And the Weather Was Reasonable for This Time of the Year. --RoadDog

More to Northwest Illinois Than Galena- Part 2

Another place of interest in the area is the Mississippi Palisades State Park north of Savanna where the Apple River flows into the Mississippi offering wonderful views of the Mississippi River and valley.

To the north, in Hanover, is Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery.

Ms. Souter suggest Harbor Cafe & Pizzeria in Fulton and Domenic and Maria's in Savanna.

I'd also like to recommend the drive from Freeport , Illinois, west to Dubuque, Iowa, along the US Grant Highway, US-20. Rolling hills and once you get to Elizabeth, you follow ridges with spectacular views into valleys. It just keeps getting better as you proceed. I count this as one of my most favorite drives anywhere in the country.

Anyone who thinks as Illinois as being flat will change their minds on this road.

Great Area to Visit. --RoadDog

A Drive Along Illinois Route 120

Some favorite places on Il-120 just east of Woodstock which is at the western terminus of the road.

These occur from where the road takes a 90 degree turn, probably five miles east of town.

THE PERFECT FARM-- right at the intersection, there is what I call the ideal farm. Wooden fences all over the place, a stone fence directly in front of the house, horses, perfectly-kept red wooden barns.

GOAT HILL-- right off the road, there is a hill with a lot of goats and goat toys. Always fun to see what they're up to. Has to be goat nirvana. If I were a goat, I'd want to be here.

LEANING SILO OF WOODSTOCK-- Old farm that is falling apart, just east of the LONE WOLF on north side of road. The wooden barn in sad shape and its silo leaning over more and more every year. Pisa may have the Tower, but we have the Silo. Hard to see when trees have leaves.

LONE WOLF-- a golf place that was featured in USA Today as one of the top miniature golf places in the US. They have a stone outcrop with a wolf statue on the top "howling at the moon."

SADLY, NO MORE OLD STONE FARMHOUSE-- A short distance from the LONE WOLF, there was a neat Italianate white stone farmhouse which had to date from the late 1800s which had been abandoned. There was a fire there recently and it has been torn down. You have to see the neat old stuff as soon as you can before they're gone.

MARIAN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL-- Catholic school and playing in the second round of the state football playoffs. Built 1959 so celebrating 50th anniversary. 734 students

TRUCK IN THE SKY-- a short way from Marian is a truck repair place with a truck up on a pole.

Nice Drive And This Is Only About Five Miles. --RoadDog

Bob Waldmire-- Part 2

Like I said in the last post, this past September, we spent several days in Springfield, Il., on our way back from the Missouri Motor Tour.

We got up with the couple from Australia who are some of the biggest fans of the road around at the Cozy Dog and they had arranged to meet with Bob.

At the time, we thought there was something definitely not right about him. He just wasn't the usual Bob. For one thing, his beard and hair was trimmed and he looked skinnier and a bit haggard as well.

Talked with him awhile as the place was closing. He siaid that one last thing he wanted to do was write the story of where famous Route 66 folks are buried. That made us wonder even more about his health.

Well. Sure Glad We Got a Chance to Meet Him. --RoadDog

Bob Waldmire

I'm very sad to learn what we expected back as far as this past September, and that is that Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire will not be with us much longer. We're thinking about paying a last visit to him in Springfield, Illinois, next week.

We did not know him personally, but have talked with him many times over the years.

I'll never forget the time we were at his stand at the Springfield, Illinois, Mother Road Festival a few years ago when he asked if we would watch his stuff. We figured he had to take a bathroom break or get a bite to eat. Like I said, we didn't know him that well.

For him to leave all his stuff with people he didn't know is just Bob's way. Well, we waited and waited and after awhile were wondering where he was. Some people came by to say Bob was walking around to other booths and enjoying the sights and sounds. Some way to run a business.

Finally, a guy who really knew Bob came by and we were able to leave him in charge.

That Bob!!

I was going to have him draw a RoadDog for me, but guess that won't happen now.

He is the "REAL SPIRIT of Route 66."

Glad We Got to Meet Him. --RoadDog

Old News, But... It's a Preservation Thing

Back on December 5, 2008, Hampton Hotels announced their list of 9 landmarks to be restored during 2009.

This is a wonderful thing that a corporation is doing, showing an interest in things past, something they have been doing for quite some time. This is their Save-a-Landmark campaign.

People were allowed to vote for 18 days between November 12 to Nov. 30th. They received 45,000 votes to elect the nine landmarks.

THE WINNERS:

ABRAHAM LINCOLN BOYHOOD HOME-- Knob Creek, Ky.
PORTLAND OBSERVATORY-- Portland, Maine-- built 1807 with grand views of the harbor
MAYOWOOD-- Rochester, Mn.-- estate from 1911 to 1938 founded by Dr. Charles H. Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic.

NEON MUSEUM-- Las Vegas-- "collecting, preserving and exhibiting neon signs."
ROBERT FROST FARM-- Derry, NY-- many of his poems attributed to his Derry years where he lived 1901-1911.
TOWN OF MAYBERRY OLD CITY JAIL-- Mount Airy, NC (Andy Griffith's home town which he based the fictional TV Mayberry on)

RAIL DEPOT MUSEUM-- Troutdale, Oregon, 1907
WASHINGTON HOUSE-- Two Rivers, Wi.-- Ed Bennett's Ice Cream Parlor considered to be the birthplace of the ice cream sundae.
HISTORIC ATLAS THEATER-- Cheyenne, Wy-- building there since 1887, converted to theater in 1908.

A Salute to Hampton Inns!! --RoadDog

More to Northwest Illinois Than Galena-- Part 1

The August 2nd Chicago Tribune Travel Section had an article by Janet Souter about other places you can go in northwestern Illinois besides the premier attraction, Galena.

Of course, Liz and I are very fond of Galena, having gone there for our honeymoon in 1973 and have been back many times since then. However, Ms. Souter is very correct when she says that "if you drive the back roads, you won't be sorry."

She wrote at length about the City of Fulton which is very proud of its Dutch heritage and on the Mississippi River with its 90 foot windmill, De Immigrant, standing tall and proud on the levee. It was built in the Netherlands and shipped to Fulton where Dutch craftsmen and masons rebuilt it. It is a working mill grinding grain.

Then, there's Heritage Canyon where you'll find a working 1840s village sitting in a 12 acre quarry. She goes into quite some detail on this attraction.

What she didn't mention was the fact that Fulton is on the Lincoln Highway, the nation's first transcontinental highway dating to 1913. Also, there is a wonderful old 1950s mom and pop motel called the Pines south of town as well.

In May Fulton celebrates its heritage with Dutch Days.

"After Galena, consider some back-road charms"

More to Come. --RoadDog

Illinois Route 120-- Part 2

Continuing with today's Il-120 looking at maps in the Illinois Digital Collection.


1922-- Still the only road in the area and now shown as all hard surface or oiled.

1924-- Now, there were many more roads in the Lake and McHenry counties area. This is the first time that the number 20 appears on the stretch as it is now called SBI-20 or Il-20.


A NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

A solid heavy line is now classified as PAVED: concrete, brick, or macadam (interesting that asphalt would not be listed.

A broken black line indicates improved roads: gravel, crushed stone or oiled dirt

There was even a single black line indicating "Unimportant Roads."

Roads under construction were also shown.


THE HIGHWAY

Il-20 (and they were using the road number inside the state outlines then, something I wish we could go back to instead of the generic squares we have now) is shown as going through the towns and villages of Waukegan, Wilson, Grays Lake, Hainesville, Volo, McHenry and Woodstock.

The road is paved Waukegan to Il-42, then shown as improved from Il-42 to Il-21. Then paved Il-21 to Volo. It is improved west of Volo for about 1.5 miles then under construction to just east of Woodstock.

Major Road Improvements Going On. --RoadDog

And, Speaking of Woodstock and Illinois Hwy. 120

I have been looking at the development of roads and highways in Lake and McHenry counties on the Illinois Digital Archives which has a series of Illinois road maps dating back to 1917. I find the easiest way to access it at the top of the Route 66 Association of Illinois site page. I love old maps, especially noting changes over the years.

Roads I'm particularly interested in are Il-120, Il. 173, US-20, US-12, Fairfield and Rollins roads. If I ever get around to figuring out how to get techno savvy (don't hold your breath), I'd like to feature these roads with pictures, information, and interesting places to visit.

Today, Illinois Highway 120, Il-120, runs from Waukegan to Woodstock. We drive it from west of McHenry when we go to Woodstock. One of the prettier drives anywhere.


A LOOK AT THE DEVELOPMENT OF IL-120

From 1917 to 1922 it was shown and was the only marked route in the area.


1917-- TOWNS: Waukegan, Warrenton (today's Gurnee), Hainesville, Volo, McHenry and Woodstock. Listed only as a marked route, but nothing as far as to its name.

1921-- hard or oiled Waukegan to Volo. Dirt west of Volo through McHenry and mostly dirt to Woodstock.

On both maps, there were no other roads anywhere near this one.

More to Come. --RoadDog

Woodstock, Illinois

Tomorrow, I am going to the historic Woodstock Square for the rededication of the Union soldier monument. It was first dedicated November 3, 1909. This will also be a fundraising events because, after 100 years, repairs are necessary. It honors the 330 men from McHenry County who died during the war, almost a third from disease. (More in my Civil War Blog.)

Of course, this square, dating to the 1840s, is a real jewel. During the summer and fall, lots of events take place here. Then, Christmas time, the square is ablaze with lights.

Much of the movie "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray was filmed here. Ever since, they have had an annual Groundhog Day celebration lasting for a week.

Well Worth a Check Out. --RoadDog

Cruising North Carolina

Cathy Yerges had an article last year in the Articles-Heaven site called "Taking a Drive Through North Carolina" in which she gave a short account of various drives you can take in the western part of the state.

POTTERY ROAD SCENIC ROUTE-- 14 potteries on the route, 80 nearby (and I didn't know NC had that many potteries, must be good clay.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY-- the famous. Visiting family in NC for Thanksgiving this year and might just take a run on it for a bit. No leaves so can see more.

APPALACHIAN MEDLEY--

BIRKHEAD WILDERNESS ROUTE--

BLACK MOUNTAIN RAG-- named for an old fiddle song, lots of twists and hairpin turns.

CROWDER MOUNTAIN DRIVE-- Pinnacle Peak

CHEROHALA SKYWAY--

ALLIGATOR RIVER ROUTE--

Makes You Want to Know More. --RoadDog