Gilroy Trees Still in Danger

Even though they are now on the National Register of Historic Places, they are not out of danger yet.

Back on Arbor Day in 1930 and 1931, various organizations in Gilroy, California went out to the Hecker Pass Highway and planted cedars all along the roadway. Of these, 115 Deoder cedars and 20 oak cedars still remain, but these are in danger because of planned road enlargement because of the large numbers of people moving to Gilroy.

They are located along a 1.39 mile stretch between Santa Teresa Blvd. and Uvas Creek. They make for a very enjoyable drive. Let's hope they will be able to do something to save them. Perhaps build a new road and leaving this stretch as a linear park.

Save Those Trees. --RoadDog

Anniversary Trip Day 1--East Dubuque

We crossed back over to Illinois on the Julien Dubuque Bridge which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I believe I heard someone say it was the longest continuous steelwork truss bridge in the world. Beautiful bridge and you go way high above the Mississippi.

We crossed into East Dubuque, past the beautiful Timmerman's Steakhouse sitting high above US-20 with the magnificent neon huge signs facing both directions. You get quite a view when you eat here. They also have a motel, but we usually get a room at the Swiss Inn, a great little mom and pop motel about 500 yards east of Timmerman's.

Rooms are clean and come with coffeemakers, minifridge, and microwaves; all for about $55 including tax. We especially like the place because there is a bar right on grounds, actually, it also serves as the motel office as this is where you get your room.

They have good food, but the kitchen was down. The bartender, the owner's son, suggested George and Dale's in downtown East Dubuque, so we checked it out. They are located on Sinsinawa Avenue along with a multitude of bars. East Dubuque is well-known for its large number of bars. They always get crowded on the weekends thanks to their 3:30 AM closing time and proximity to Dubuque, where the bars close much earlier. The downtown businesses say that they make most of their money after midnight.

This is even historical, dating back to when Iowa (and Dubuque) were dry. Folks just crossed the river to do their drinking.

The owner's son was right, the food, especially their famous hereabouts roast beef sandwich was one of the best I've ever had. Liz got a huge basket of chicken fingers which came with an enormous side of fries. I suggest it.

Went back to the Swiss Inn and watched the Cubs come from behind for an important win. Always a lot of friendly people in the bar and lots of interesting stories.

FINALLY Finished Day 1!!!!! --RoadDog

Dave Clark Discussing Early Illinois Roadbuilding

If you ever want to know anything about Illinois highways, Route 66 in particular, a great source of information is Dave Clark, the Windy City Road Warrior.

I came across this information in an e-mail group where a member was asking about the Route 66 bypasses around downstate towns. Route 66 replaced Illinois Highway 4 for the most part.

Dave said the primary goal of the Illinois state roadbuilders before the advent of the US highways in 1928 was to build and pave roads between towns. Roads would be built up to the city limits and then it was up to the city to build and maintain the portions within their borders. Signage would direct travelers to the business districts. In the 1920s, a new law allowed the state to build within towns of 2500 or fewer population.

By the time of the US highways, a lot of businesses had grown up on Illinois 4 and travelers were complaining about dangerous intersections, traffic, and low speed limits. So two-lane bypasse were built around around the towns. By the late 30s and 40s, a second two lane was built and there were now a four-lane divided bypass. These still exist in Springfield, Pontiac, Lincoln, and Bloomington.

However, these had no access restrictions. Gas stations, diners, and motels moved out to the bypass, and soon these had the same problems as going through towns. The final step was limiting access which came with the interstates starting in 1955.

Dave has a great web site and, if you're ever in Chicago, he'll be happy to give you a reasonably-priced guided tour of architecture and Route 66 through the city.

www.windycityroadwarrior.com

So, Route 66 Was Like an Interstate Itself, Sort Of. --RoadDog

"Final Cruise" for WWII Shipmates: USS Basilan (AG-68)

It's sad to read the stories about last reunions of the "Greatest Generation" as they succumb to the passage of time. This story is about 15 men who were on the USS Basilan, an auxiliary supply and repair ship during WWII. This will be the last reunion.

Sixteen years ago, six old friends got together in San Antonio and decided that they should organize a get together. But after all the years had passed since WWII, how to get in touch with shipmates was going to be a problem. They were able to get the addresses of 200 men out of the 1000 who had served on the ship from the Social Security Administration.

This week, they are holding a last hurrah in Chicago " a farewell to fellow members of the Greatest Generation, the brothers-in-arms who helped defeat Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan more than sixty years ago."

Again, age has struck them down. Their organization and many others are having last reunions now. In their 80s, many are too feeble or poor to make the trips to the reunions any more, not to mention the rapidly dwindling numbers.

I believe I heard somewhere that over a thousand WWII veterans are dying every day.

From Sept. 7 Chicago Tribune, "15 shipmates are in final cruise" by Deborah Horan

Statistics and facts about the USS Basilan: 14,200 tons full load, 441 foot long, 57 foot beam Took part in the Pacific War after commissioning in 1944.

Picture of it at :

www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/AG/AG-68_Basilan.html

We'll Sure Miss Them. --RoadDog

City of Chicago Doing It's Part on Carson Pirie Scott & Co. Ironwork

Good news for Louis Sullivan fans, and for that matter, anyone who likes special architecture. Chicago is ready to come up with almost $10 million in the form of a subsidy to restore the ironwork at 1 South State Street, the former Carson Pirie Scott department store. The ironwork covers the lower two floors

"The ironwork is widely considered a Louis Sullivan masterpiece...and is in extremely poor condition," said a Planning Department manager.

The building will now be known as the Sullivan Center. This is epecially good news since three Sullivan-designed buildings were lost in the last year. The million square foot, block-long building was purchased by developer Joseph Freed in 2001 for $19 million. Carsons moved out this past March. A big chunk of it was provided by Chicago, $13.5 million, of which $5.5 was to offset repairing the terra cotta and rebuilding the cornices. Nothing was slated for the ironwork, however.

Chicago Tribune, September 2nd, "Restoring a Jewel" by Jeannette Almada.

Keep on Down That Two Lane Highway. --RoadDog

Some Noteworthy Events from the Past- Self-Serve Grocery Stores and Salad Bars

September 6th, 1916, the FIRST SELF-SERVE GROCERY STORE , Piggly Wiggly, was opened in Memphis by Clarence Saunders (any relation to Colonel Sanders?). The store was set up to enable shoppers to handpick groceries instead of having a clerk standing behind a counter do it for them.

So that is why Ike Godsey would get the stuff for the Waltons.


WHERE WAS THE FIRST SALAD BAR? If you're like me, you LOVE salad bars. I can sure pile 'em high, especially when you only get one trip. We'll probably never know for sure. However, the National Restaurant Association, in "The Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink" says, "In 1971 Chicago restauranteurs Rich Melman and Jerry Orzoff opened a place called R.J. Grunts, which featured a 'salad bar,' a long counter of greens, seasoning, vegetables, and condiments at which the customer arranges his own salad on whim; this became a fixture of medium-priced and family restaurants throughout the United States."

Shoppin' and Eatin' at Salad Bars. These are a Few of My Favorite Things. --RoadDog

First, Illinois Had the Lincoln Highway...Now the US Grant Memorial Highway

I forgot to mention that on our drive out to Galena and Dubuque on August 22nd, that I noticed that at every intersection along US-20, there were signs proclaiming this to be the "US Grant Memorial Highway" with a picture of him in Civil War uniform. I'd never seen these signs before.

I've since found out that IDOT has placed 125 of these signs along the 196 miles of US-20 in the state. Us-20 was officially designated the "Grant Memorial Highway" by the General Assembly in 1955, but it has taken them this long to put up signage.

According to the official statement, "Illinois is the Land of Lincoln and the Land of Ronald Reagan, but it's also the Land of Ulysses S. Grant." He was born in Ohio in 1822 and died in New York in 1885. But, in between, Illinois had a major impact on his life. He was living in Galena at the start of the Civil War, and a grateful citizenry gave him a house at 500 Bouthillier Street after the war.

He became the commander of all US forces in the war and later became the nation's 18th president.

The signage also commemorates the upcoming 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War in 2011.

Illinois already has a portion of the Lincoln Highway and I-88 is the Ronald Reagan Highway so we are set as far as our two claims to the presidency and highways.

Cruisin' on Down the US Grant Highway. --RoadDog

Anniversary Trip-- Day 1 Galena to Dubuque

We arrived in Galena and took a drive down Main Street and then back out to US-20 to go to Dubuque. The storm clouds that had been about all day, then let loose on us. It was difficult to even see the road and, at one point, we had hail. This was a major storm. Driving across the Mississippi Bridge was a real joy.

Went out west of Dubuque to play NTN at the new Buffalo Wild Wings. The parking lot was running red with clay from the downpour.

When it let up, we drove back downtown to a favorite watering hole called Paul's Tavern, located near the bridge. This place dates back to the 1940s and has glass bricks out front and a sign welcoming people to come in and look at the stuffed animals. The original owner was an avid hunter, and even in his upper 80s today likes to get out on a hunt. These are all animals he's shot.

The bartender said that they have also been hit with big-time rain. Last night, she saw traffic sawhorses being swept down the street by the deluge.

I know of no other pace where you can get an old-fashioned schooner of beer, although they called it a scoop. Drink prices were very reasonable and they have a limited menu with most sandwiches in the $2-3 range. There is also an old Indian statue sitting by the jukebox with a sign on it asking patrons not to touch it. I've also seen two other Indian statues at the Canfield Hotel in Dubuque, plus four playing poker at the Turquois Tee Pee souvenir shop in Williams, Arizona, right on Route 66. I'm sure there's a story there.

Still on Day 1, but Reckon I'll Finish it Up the Next Posting. --RoadDog

Lincoln Highway News from Rochelle, Illinois

1. The August 21st Rochelle News-Leader reported that the Rochelle Gardeners of America recently presented a $300 check to the city for landscaping improvements on three of the four entrance signs welcoming visitors to the city.

If you have seen these signs, they are impressive. Now, they will be landscaped as well.

2. In their Flashback section, there was a 1930 photo of a bunch of unemployed Rochelle people leveling off a dump south of the city. The caption said that these workers received small weekly paychecks from the federal government. They also participated in many other projects around Rochelle including the excavating and constructing of a basement under the 1884 City and Town (Township?) Hall and remodeling of the building. From a historical research article by Franklin Kruger.

This took place during the Great Depression so, more than likely, these men were employed by either the WPA, Works Progress Administration, or the CCC, Civilian Conservation Corps. Most likely they were WPA.
I believe the old City Hall to be the present museum located downtown.

3. There was also an article about the Second Annual Chaplin Creek "Autumn in the Grove" celebration in Franklin Grove, Illinois,  on September 15th. There will be several displays of mid-1800s life. People will get the opportunity to do "laundry 1800s style, participate in period games...and tour Chaplin Creek Village."

Many old area structures have been moved to this site. This past April, a joint meeting of the Illinois and Iowa chapters of the Lincoln Highway Association was held here.

Cruising on Down the Lincoln. --RoadDog

Great Lakes Ship Still Working after Over 100 Years

The St. Mary's Challenger was launched six years before the RMS Titanic sank...AND, it is still afloat and still hauling cargo on the Great Lakes. It's job today is to transport cement from the St. Mary's plant in Charlevoix, Michigan, to Chicago, Milwaukee, Manitowac, Wi., and Ferrysburg, Michigan.

This ship was launched in 1906, two years before Henry Ford introduced the Model T.

It's small-size-551 feet (by Great Lakes ships) --allows it to get into smaller ports that the huge ones can't.

From Chicago Tribune March 18, 2007 "Century of service on Lakes" by AP.

Hard to believe a ship this old is still afloat, much less still doing the job it was intended to do. That is SOME longevity. I'd sure like to get a chance to see it.

Way to Go, St. Mary's Challenger!!!! --RoadDog

Du Quoin, Illinois, Earns "Main Street" Designation

The State of Illinois has an excellent program aimed at the revitalization of aging downtowns around the state.

Once a town qualifies by its own efforts and organizing, they are eligible for grants. Du Quoin has been awarded said designation. This is a great use of public-private funds. If you're ever traveling in Illinois and see that the town you're entering is a "Main Street Community" you should check out the business district for all sorts of unexpected pleasures and experiences.

There is a group in place and so far restoration has been accomplished on the Grand Theater, Aaron Atkins Building, Du Quoin State Bank, and the Heritage Days Festival has been started again.

Main Street Community Means a Stop is in Order. --RoadDog

Fort Dixon to be Reconstructed?

An effort is afoot in Dixon, Illinois, to reconstruct Fort Dixon which was located along the Rock River and used during the Blackhawk War.

No pictures of it exist, but an artist has drawn what it might have looked like according to period descriptions. The site, where the statue of the young soldier Abraham Lincoln is located, was the site of a Blackhawk War Encampment August 11th and 12th.

Dixon's Ferry was a quiet settlement until the outbreak of the Blackhawk War in 1832. It then became a major training and gathering point for federal troops and state militia.

A group will make another attempt to reconstruct the fort. You can find out about them at:

http://www.fortdixon.com

Just One More Thing to See Along the Old Lincoln Highway. --RoadDog

Civil War in the News: "Where Urban Sprawl Creeps Like Kudzu Over Historic Places

I came across two Civil War articles in the last several days. Being a major supporter of the historic preservation, these articles were of interest.

The first was in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Relic hunters race to save Cobb County Civil War History" by Bill Hendrick.

All areas around Atlanta are experiencing rapid growth. Already, too many of the sites from the Atlanta Campaign have been built over. Now, the growth is out in the surrounding counties.

A determined group of Civil War buffs are increasing efforts at finding and saving as much as they can before they are bulldozed over by the developers.

I loved the quote "where urban sprawl creeps like kudzu over historic places..."

Let's hope they find as much as possible.

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

The second story was from the Cullman Times in Alabama.

Fred Wise, 65, has spent the last 25 years turning 40 acres of "worthless land into a Civil War legacy." This has involved the removal of quite a large bit of undergrowth. It is now a Civil War park marking where the Confederate troops under General Nathan Bedford Forrest battled Union forces under Col. Abel Streight for several hours preceding the Battles of Hog Mountain and Day's Gap in April, 1863.

He has also opened a Civil War museum at the old Vinemont Stage Coach Inn.

A man that does all of this under is own initiative and with little help deserves our great debt of gratitude.

Saving History Whenever and Wherever. --RoadDog

Lincoln Hotel in Lowden, Iowa

I came across a blog for Iowa B&Bs and there was a recent entry for the Lincoln Hotel in Lowden.

It is located at the junction of the Herbert Hoover and Lincoln highways. It has served Lincoln Highway travelers since 1915 and was completely restored in 1996, receiving Iowa's "Best Restoration Award" and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

According to the blog entry, it has five suites and features a gourmet breakfast as an option. I checked out the whole blog and found a total of eight entries for the Lincoln Hotel. I didn't look for others along the LH, though.

You can check the blog out at http://iabedandbreakfast.com/blog

This appears to be a great place to spend a night.

Michael Wallis' new book mentions it, but says it also has apartments. Brian Butko's "Greetings from the Lincoln Highway" from a few years ago says it has two hotel rooms and five apartments. They must have turned the apartments into hotel rooms.

Butko also went on to tell about the Herbert Hoover Highway, which was designated in 1923 because of his food relief relief program which fed an estimated 318 million people of war and drought in Europe and the Soviet Union.

Cruising the Old Lincoln. --RoadDog

Anniversary Trip-- Day One Part 3 Stockton to Galena

I did a little research on the claim that Kraft Foods began in Stockton. It is actually the site of their first factory to make cheese. The advent of WWI in 1914 cut the Kraft brothers off from their supply of imported cheese so they decided to make their own.

They chose Stockton because it was located along a railroad and there were lots of dairy farms in the area. Of course, milk is a major ingredient of cheese. They bought their factory from Hal Sheetz in 1914.

These guys weren't going to let anything like a war stop them!!

From Stockton, we drove to Elizabeth with possible plans of spending the night there. A small mom-pop motel is located east of the town on US-20 called Marcotte's Family Motel with 16 rooms starting at $50. It looks to be nicely kept up and has a website http://www.familymotel.com/. There is also another small one west of town called The View Motel with 11 rooms starting at $50 as well http://www.theviewmotel.net/. I just found that if you type in .com, you get The View Motel in Sedona, Az.

Elizabeth has a reconstructed fort from the Blackhawk War called Apple River Fort State Historic Site and the Chicago Great Western Railway Depot Museum. We drove through town, but it didn't look like too much was going on so continued.

I still miss the great old automobile showroom which I found out burned down a few years back, It had two old classic neon car signs, a Pontiac and a Buick. A new place occupies the site and still sells autos. If they were able to save the signs, I hope they put them back up.

As I said before, US-20 becomes one of the US' premier drives at Stockton, but then it even gets better here. You drop down out of town then start climbing. At the top of the hill is a scenic overlook tower that has a great view. Unfortunately, we were told at the Freeport visitors center that it is now closed because of the local high school antics at the site after hours. That is really too bad. You can see a picture of the Long Hollow Tower at the View Motel site.

Then, you drive through Tapley Woods for several miles. This is a canopy drive for much of it, with the trees forming a tunnel. Always a great respite on a hot day.

Then, it's up and down the rest of the way. It was nice to have two lanes on the upward climbs because of trucks. At one point, you round a bend, and catch a full look at Galena. That is always one of the highlights of this part of the drive.

To STILL be Continued. I Might Just Get Through Day One the Next Time. --RoadDog