Sad Scenes from the Riviera

I had heard the Riviera in Gardner was was a complete loss. Liz and I had seriously considered going by the ruins Sunday to look at them and film, but it was a bit out of the way, so took our leave of Route 66 in Dwight going up Illinois Highway 47.

I'm glad we didn't go by the Riviera. Ron Warnick, in his Route 66 News Blog, had a video taken by a couple, and the devastation is complete. After a fire, there is always the hope that the damage can be repaired and the place rebuilt, but obviously that is not going to happen after viewing the video.

We'll just have our memories now.

However, I was glad to see the old streetcar diner in the back of the place looks unscathed and the president of the Route 66 Association of Illinois said it will be moved to a place in Gardner so we can look forward to that.

I have not heard anything about the Riviera's most recent owner. I did hear that he might have left after the fire, but that was just hearsay.

Another reason to see them while you can. You never know when they'll be gone.

A Sad Time at the Old Riviera. Route 66 Lost a Great Place. --RoadDog