Quite the Story Behind Saving the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois

From March 30, 2024 AOL, Chicago Tribune  "Wilmington unites to save 'iconic' piece of Route 66 history-- the 30-foot Gemini Giant statue.  'It was pretty crazy'  by Rebecca Johnson.

And we all owe a huge thank you to Ryan Jandura of Wilmington, Illinois, and the Joliet Area Historical Museum for saving it.

They were locked into a high-stakes, high-value online auction.

"The item up for grabs-- which eventually sold for $275,000-- wasn't jewelry or a painting.  It was a 30-foot statue of an astronaut  wearing a helmet and carrying a rocket, a fixture of Route 66  tourism-- that until recently stood in Wilmington since the 1960s.

"For Jandura and others, the Gemini Giant has personal and historic significance, and they didn't want a private collector taking it out of the far southwest suburb."

--RiadThankful

Route 66's Iconic Stops

From the March 24, 2024, "On the Road:  Iconic stops on USA's Route 66" by Prannay Pathak.

I always enjoy these lists.

**  Bob's Gasoline Alley in Cuba, Missouri.  All the gas station stuff you'd ever want to see.    I haven't personally seen it, but went looking for it once.

**  Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois.  We know about the situation there.

**  Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, California.

**  Oatman, Arizona  Home of the Burros With Attitude.

**  The Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma

**  Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma  Can't miss it with that giant neon pop bottle outside.

--RoadDog

Update on the Wilmington Gemini Giant-- Part 2

Earlier this month, Holly Barker, owner of the Giant and the restaurant, said she was only auctioning off the Giant and its trademark rights.

The auction started Wednesday with an opening bid of $100,000.

The Joliet Area Historical Museum placed the winning bid at $275,000.  The purchase was made possible through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Guided by the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, the Giant was carefully taken down, protected and transported offsite for temporary storage.

Earlier this year, the Wilmington City Council approved plans to reimagine the entrance to South Island Park, which sits directly along Route 66, adjacent to the city's historic downtown and along the Kankakee River National Water Trail.

So Glad to Get the Giant Out of There.  --RoadGiant

Update on the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois

And, good news.

From the March 25, 2024, Daily Journal  "Gemini Giant sells for $275 k, will remain in Wilmington."

I was sure hoping it would remain in Wilmington.  Nothing like entering the town from the north and seeing that giant guy.  To me, it has always meant, "You're on Route 66!!" And, so it will be, but in a different site.

It has stood watch since 1965 at the former Launching Pad restaurant.  Sadly, that place has proved a no-go and out of business.

The Giant was purchased last week for $275,000 at auction and DONATED to the City of Wilmington.  The city plans on placing it alongside a planned  Route 66  monument at South Island Park by late spring of this year.

I was sure hoping Wilmington would get it.  It belongs in Wilmington.  

--RoadGiantFan

Things to See in the Northwestern Illinois Area

I was given a copy of the Northwest Quarterly magazine because of an article on Civil War Round Tables, but upon reading that article, I looked at the rest of it and there are many things in it of interest to those of us who like to go places, especially places in history.  It's just something about Road Tripping Through History with me.

The magazine focuses on things located in the northern part of Illinois with side trips to Wisconsin.

The most recent one had a page with information about three interesting things to see.

**  Garrison School Lofts in Rockford, Illinois.  How'd you like to live in an old school that opened in 1887.

**  DeKalb County's Civil War Memorial (Illinois) in front of the court house.  A statue to Union soldiers, dedicated in 1897.

**  The Riviera in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, right on the shore of Geneva Lake.  Unique architecture dedicated in 1833.

--RoadDog

What Is On a Proper Chicago Dog? (Hint: Ketchup Is Not One of Them)

In the last post I wrote about one of my favorite foods, he corned beef & cabbage.  Here is another one.

One of my all-time favorite things to eat (but without sports peppers).  Give me a good ol' Chicago Dog.  Our local Home Depot is mighty mean as they have a hotdog stand at the exit which has gotten me quite often.

Hey, just that wonderful smell.  You know.

Then that first bite.

Your "proper" ingredients:

Kosher pickle spear

Celery salt

Yellow mustard

Sport peppers (well, not for me)

Neon relish

Diced onions

Fresh Tomatoes

Now, I have never quite understood my wife Liz's hot dog choice:  a plain hot dog, maybe with a squirt of ketchup.  And she is a Chicago native, born and grew up there.)

Oh Well.  --RoadHotDog

Finally Got My CB&C

The first two attempts I made to get cb&c (corned beef & cabbage) dinners this past Saturday ended in failure.  No cb&c for me.  Sadly, this is the only time of the year you can get it.  I sure wouldn't mind if I could find a place to get it year round.

Plus, I have a particular way I want my cb&c.  Each fork full needs to have equal parts corned beef and cabbage.  Plus I like a bit of medium horseradish on it.  And, of course, the whole thing needs to be liberally peppered.

I also like to have the mini potatoes, cooked onions and carrots and a piece of rye bread heavily buttered.

But, the third attempt proved to be the charm as I got a heaping plate full of cb&c at Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove and yesterday, the actual St. Patrick's Day, I got another plate of my beloved at the St. Baldrick's celebration at the Fox Lake American Legion.

So, Two for Four's Not So Bad.  --RoadCorned

When Irish Eyes Weren't Smiling So Much

The Day before St. Patrick's Day and I still haven't had any corned beef & cabbage (cb&c).  Not that I haven't tried.  I am now 0 for 2 in attempts.

First I went to the Lake Villa (Illinois) St. Patrick's Day celebration.  Sadly, by the time I got to the VFW, they had sold out of cb&c.

Then, I drove to Johnsburg with intentions to get cb&c at Sunnyside.  Yesterday, I had stopped in and seen them advertising what I was looking for.  Unfortunately, I hadn't noticed in the fine print that it was being offered at Cullom Knoll over in McCullom Lake near McHenry and not at Sunnyside.

The woman who owns Sunnyside also operates Cullom Knoll.

So, so far no corned beef and cabbage for me.  But, in a few minutes I'll be heading over to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove and I understand they have cb&c.

Here's Hoping.  --RoadLessCornedBeef

Getting My Irish on Tomorrow

Well, I have three options for tomorrow.  A lot depends on the weather which sounds a bit iffy.  Ans, of course, there are the crowds.  Tomorrow seems to be the bigger of the two weekend days even though St, Patrick's is actually on Sunday.

The biggest one tomorrow would be the McHenry (Illinois) ShamROCK the Fox which includes the dying green of the Fox River, a parade and bands.  That is usually a bit too crowded for me.  This involves five bands throughout the day in huge tents. 

If I decide against McHenry, I will go to Lake Villa (Illinois) for their annual parade and then to the VFW for the corned beef & cabbage dinner and a band afterwards.  

If that doesn't work out, the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society is having a group come in at the museum and give an old-time radio broadcast.  Then, it would be a trio to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes (Wisconsin) for free corned beef & cabbage.  Layer, Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for green beer and entertainment.

SUNDAY, ST. PATRICK'S DAY, McHenry continues bands in the tents and fireworks at night.  The Fox Lake American Legion has St. Baldrick's Day where folks have their hair cut off for a good cause.  (I'm not, I'll donate.)  Then a corned beef and cabbage dinner and entertainment.

Here's Hoping My Tongue Doesn't Get Too Green.  --Road O'Dog

Time to Get Those 1920 License Plates On Your Car

From the March 25, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Some of the automobile owners in DeKalb County  are going to get in 'Dutch' with the sheriff if they don't pay attention to the license  law.  There are some people who are still using the last year's license number on their cars.

"They should have had them changed the first of the year but police have made allowances for the delays that sometimes occur.  Now, however, they are going to arrest any person with a 1919  license plate and the fine  is $25 to $200."

And, you can still get fined for having out of date stickers on those tags.

Reckon You'd Better Update That Thing.  --RoadFineOtherWise

What to Do on a Tuesday

Yesterday was a good one for me.

I drove to Woodstock, Illinois, and saw a movie then went to the Woodstock Library and looked at some books on Woodstock history.  

Then, I met a group of members of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers for dinner before moving back to the library where we had the first meeting of the year.  We do not meet December to February.

We had a presentation on Confederate Railroads.

--RoadCivil

So, What's to Do Around Here-- Part 2: Wendy's Breakfasts, Fish Fry

MARCH 7, THURSDAY

Drove to McHenry and had the Baconator breakfast sandwich at Wendy's and if you like bacon, this sam's for you.  Went to Meijer and bought their last brick of Maxell cassette tapes.  This is the only place I know of around here that still sells them.  I still record on them.  Then went to Hobby Lobby and bought flowers for Liz's grave as well as her parents.  Time to take the Christmas ones down.

MARCH 8, FRIDAY

Met Kevin and Kelly at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for the fish fry.  Then to the Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.  All sorts of fun next Sunday at the Legion.  St. Baldrick's, corned beef & cabbage dinner and entertainment.

MARCH 9, SATURDAY

Drove to Fox Lake and had the 2 for $3 breakfast biscuit special and senior drink.  Bought too much stuff at Dollar Tree (well, Dollar Twenty-Five Tree now).  I need to stay out of that place.  Stopped at Thornton's for my iced drink and a guy backed into my car when I was leaving.  I checked for damage but couldn't see any so we went on our way.

Went to Sunnyside for the afternoon

MARCH 10, SUNDAY

Daylight Savings arrived, so that kept me busy for a bit.  Always like its arrival.  We're almost over winter.  Bob Stroud featured songs with the word "Light" in their titles on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, the Drive.

Went to Saylor Mick's and enjoyed $3 pint Bloody Marys and a huge $7 cheeseburger and fries.

Summer's Almost Here.  --RoadSaving Time

So, What's to Do Around Here: Bar Hopping, Cheap Beer and Food

Okay, so it's still winter for a few days (starts the 19th) and it has been a fairly warm one so far.  So, what is there to do around here (northeast Illinois) until summer gets here.?

MARCH 3, SUNDAY

Went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, then to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove where I had a great $3 Bloody Mary and $7 Italian beef sandwich and fries.

MARCH 4, MONDAY

Sunnyside for $1.50 pints, the Monday special.

MARCH 5, TUESDAY

Back to Saylor Mick's for $1.50 tacos and live trivia.

MARCH 6, WEDNESDAY

Drove to Wisconsin and went to Best Bargains which sure lives up to its name when it comes to groceries.  Filled up with gas at the BP in Twin Lakes for $3.35 (it had been down to $2.50 a month ago).  Still better than Illinois where it is around $3.90.

Played live trivia with Uncle Jeffie at Donovan's Reef.

--RoadDog

Just Looking for Some CB&C

Well, it's coming up on St. Patrick's Day again.  That means I am looking for some of that good old corned beef & cabbage CB&C).  I love that stuff.  I wish it would be available in places throughout the year, not just now.  I don't care about health questions, I just love it like good ol' Eastern Carolina BBQ (well, any sort of bbq).

And, as we start the final countdown to St. Patrick's Day (on a Sunday this year 9 days from now), I have two places pegged for some CB&C.  Next Saturday at the VFW in Lake Villa, Illinois, after the annual parade, next Sunday at the American Legion in Fox Lake and the following Thursday at the Fox Lake senior luncheon.

Looking for some places this weekend and maybe even some St. Patrick's parties.

--Road-O'Dog

Kishwaukee River Flooding Back in 1949

From February 20, 2024, "Looking Back ."

1949, 75 years ago.

A combination of ice and high water choked up the Kishwaukee River through DeKalb and offered city crews  something different in problems Saturday.

"High water had reached the upper portions of the bridge at Annie's Woods, and the crews had dislodges floating ice there before moving up to the Lincoln Highway Bridge, where a large  flow offered another problem. Blasting powder was used to shake up the ice masses and the current started moving it down."

--RoadDog

Here's Hoping Wilmington Does the Right Thing

It always gives me great pleasure to enter Wilmington, Illinois, on Route 66 and there on the east side is that 30-foot tall guy holding the rocket in apace suit and helmet, you know, that Gemini Giant.  It means you are home on 66.  

And, for many years you could stop there and get a delicious bite to eat at the adjacent Launching Pad Restaurant.  Sadly, it closed quite a few years ago and despite efforts has not been able to reopen and stay open.  (But one problem eating there was that it was too close to that Polka Dot place in Braidwood.)

Anyway, I hope the city of Wilmington acquires the Gemini Giant and finds a place for it.  It is too much of an icon of Route 66.

Save the Giant.  --RoadDog

Some More on Wilmington's Gemini Giant

From the Feb. 28, 2024, My Plainview (Illinois)  "The fight to save Route66's Gemini Giant" by Dominic Genetti.

The Gemini Giant is one of the popular muffler men who are used for promotions and attractions throughout the country.  They are, to say the least, eye catching.  But the Gemini Giant stands out from them all.  This 30-foot guy is dressed completely differently than his brethren.

He is named after NASA's Gemini Space Program of the early 60s and is decked out in a space suit with boots and holding, instead of a muffler, a rocket.

Legends of America calls him Wilmington's most-photographed inhabitant.

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

From Wikipedia

Stands at 810 E. Baltimore St. in Wilmington, Illinois.

Built 1964.  Restored 2019.

Height:  30 feet

Weight:  438 pounds

Fiberglass

In the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame.

--RoadGiant

Save the Gemini Giant

From the February 28, 2024, Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer  "The fight to save Route 66's Gemini Giant" by Dominic Genetti.

And we all love those Route 66 roadside attractions and one of the top ones is that repurposed muffler man that stands outside the Launching Pad Restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois.  It is made up to look like an astronaut holding a rocket and has the name Gemini Giant.

Sadly, now its future is unknown.  The restaurant has been closed and opened many times in the last ten years, now it appears to be heading to oblivion.  Both are going up for auction March 20.  I would sure hate to see a private collector get it and remove it from view.

But a GoFundMe page has been started by Ryan Jandura.

As of Wednesday, the page has raised $3,000 of $100,000 requested.

Let's Hope It's Saved.--  RoadGiant