About That First Hundred Miles of Route 66 in Illinois

From same source as last three posts.

The First Hundred Miles is a comprehensive tourism brand, linking the communities between Chicago and Pontiac in Illinois.  At TheFirstHundredMiles.com, you'll find feature articles dedicated to noteworthy attractions, lists of fan favorite restaurants, inspiring photo galleries and comprehensive business listings.  

You'll also find convenient maps and pre-built road-trip iteneraries, directing you to popular boutique shops, sprawling nature preserves and delicious dining destinations.

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MY OBSERVATIONS

Downtown Chicago, the beginning point of Route 66 in Illinois has its attractions, including the Sears Tower (I don't call it by the other name), Union Station and, of course, Lou Mitchell's.  However, from there it goes through a rather dangerous area and suburban sprawl has really wiped out most of the rest of it until you get to Joliet.

--RoadHundred

Route 66ers Can Tour Chicago's Union Station-- Part 1

From the November 2, 2014, Chicago Tribune "Next Stop: Union Station" by Nancy Maes.

Most people going through Chicago's Union Station or on their way to somewhere else, but now you can actually take a tour of it on the Chicago History Museum's walking tour.

This walking tour grew out of the museum's :Railroaders" exhibit which runs through August 15, 2015.  It displays photos by Jack Delano who was commissioned in 1942 by the World War Ii's Office of War Information to document the role of the railroads in American life (and especially the war effort).

I have come across a lot of his photos on the Shorpy old picture site.

Public programs coordinator Ani Schmidt helped develop the tour and said "there are a lot of images of Union Station in the exhibit and we wanted to make them come alive."

More to Come.  --RoadDog

A Marine Corps Thing-- Part 5

June 16th

Once at Union Station, we caught a CTA bus to Soldier Field for $2.25 and we also needed a 25 cent transfer. Passed the White Palace Grill, open 24 hours, which looked to be of interest. We also passed over a bridge built over a massive number of railroad tracks. This bridge featured columns with books in between. Gas in Chicago was at $4.55!!

Again, all that PT (Physical Training) outside Soldiers Field really brought back a flood of memories for me (which was why I wrote so much about them.) "I don't know, but I've been told...."

Once we got checked in and received our name cards, I went over to the the statue of a World War I American soldier. It was called "The Spirit of the American Doughboy" and was sculpted by E.M. Viquesney. Viquesney was an American sculptor (1876 to 1946) best-known for this sculpture, although this was not the only one. Between 1920 and 1940, some 140 versions of this work were placed in public places in 38 states.

Under this it read, "In memory of the sacrifices of our American men and women in the armed forces who serve in war and peace. Installed by 132nd Infantry (2nd Illinois) Garfield Park 1926 as a tribute to World War I soldiers. rededicated Soldiers Field 2003."

The soldier is running through some land with barbed wire strung by his feet, probably No-Man's Land.

More to Come. --RoadDog

Doing Chicago Cubbie-Style, Origin of Term "Out in Left Field"

Much was made of the Chicago Cubs this year and their getting to the playoffs, where, unfortunately, they were three and out, and I'm not talking about the Bears' horrible first quarter against the Packers Sunday night.

There just wasn't much to cheer about versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. We got bit!!! At least I didn't have to wear my Cubs hat. I bought it several years back, but have never worn it. I told my MANY Cub-nut friends that I would wear it if the Cubs ever got to the World Series.

The Chicago Tribune had a whole page devoted to Cub-related places to see in Chicago called "A Cub Fan's Map of the Windy City...CUBBIE CHICAGO." Words by Mark Jacob, Illustrations by Rick Tuma.

Any Cub fan or baseball fan visiting Chicago should have this. There is a map with the pictures and words superimposed over them.

Besides Wrigley Field at 1060 W. Addison, the epicenter of the Cubs Nation since 1916 (I loved it when the Blues brothers gave this as their address), there are 16 other "must-see" sites. Some of them are as follows.

Graceland Cemetery- 4001 N. Clark-- Gravestone of William Hulbert, former Cubs president and co-founder of National League- features over-size baseball

Billy Goat Tavern-- 1885 Madison--When owner William Sianis tried to bring his pet goat to the 1945 World Series, he was denied admission and the billy goat curse began. Also, the SNL skit "Chez boiger, chez boiger, cheeps, Pepsi, no Coke."

Harry Caray's Restaurant- 33 Kinzie-- "Holy Cow!" Where the infamous "Bartman Ball" was exploded in 2004.

Chicago Daily News Building (site) - Wells and Madison-- coined nickname "Cubs"-- officialy adopted in 1907.

Biograph Theater-- 2257 N. Lincoln-- Where, in 1934, noted Cub fan.. and bank robber John Dillinger was killed.

West Side Grounds-- Polk and Lincoln, which is now Wolcott-- Now part of the Chicago Medical Campus. Home of Chicago Cubs 1893-1915. They WON their LAST World Series here in 1908. A mental institution was built beyond the left-field fence and some believe this gave rise to the term "out in left field."

Union Station-- 225 S. Canal-- (Also on ROUTE 66!!) Cub slugger Hack Wilson punched out Reds pitcher Pete Donohue in 1929 while waiting for a train. Probably an interesting story.

Old Comiskey Park-- 35th and Shields-- There is NO US Whatever Field to me. It will always be Comiskey to me. I don't much like those cell phones anyway. The Cubs were the "home team' here in the 1918 World series because it held more people. Take THAT, you CUB fans!!!

There are other places as well. Check it out.

Sure Glad I Didn't Have to Wear That Cubs Hat. As Andy the Clown Would Say, "Go You White Sox!!"--RoadDog