Down Da Road: Lotsa Oldies-- Mrs. Mantle-- LH Gazebo

Old New News About Old Roads.


1. LOTSA OLDIES--This past weekend, they had what probably is the largest old car show around, the Woodward Dream Cruise, in suburban Detroit. It was along Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak, Michigan. The first bone was held 15 years ago and it has grown every year since. Might just have to go there one of these times. Hey, an US-12 goes to Detroit as well.


2. MRS. MANTLE-- On August 10, MLB.com reported that the widow of baseball great Mickey Mantle, Merlyn, died of Alzheimer's. They met while he was a star at Commerce High School (he was nicknamed the Commerce Comet) in that city in Oklahoma and RIGHT ON ROUTE 66. She was a cheerleader at arch rival Picher High School. Their first date was in 1949 at the historic Route 66 Coleman Theater in Miami, Oklahoma.

They were married Dec. 23, 1951 and had four children. They were married for 43 years until his death August 13, 1995.

If he just didn't have to had played for that New York team with the lousy name.


3. LH GAZEBO-- The Aug. 14th Plainfield (Il) Sun reports that the village will be getting an interactive gazebo to mark its stretch of the historic Lincoln Highway which was completed there in 1921.

The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition is ten years old and 34 towns along or near the route belong to it.

It is hoped that it will be open by this fall to take advantage of the increasing popular form of travel called heritage tourism. The village kicked in 20% ofthe cost, $3,080. There is also talk of a mural honoring the village's Lincoln Highway heritage.

Now, You Know. --RoadDog

Number 1,000

The blogger dashboard records the last entry as being my 1000th entry. Spending way too much time on this blog thing. Really need to get a life at some point.

But, I enjoy doing road stuff, both from my travels and what others write.

One blog is too much, but dumb old me developed three others. This was the first one, however and started with the help of my niece Andrea in White House, Tennessee.

When I got back home, I was having a hard time getting it to come up, and while experimenting, started my second blog, Down Da Road I Go. Since then, it has become the one where I talk about my life and music. That one passed the 1000 entry mark last month.

I found that I was getting more and more Civil War and history entries on it, so spun two more blogs off of the Road Blog. These are now around 700-800 entries each.

I don't know how much longer I'll keep these going, but right now I enjoy researching and writing about these things.

http:downdaroadigo.blogspot.com
http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com
http://sawtheelephant.blogspot.com

Forever Writing Away. --RoadDog

The Dixie Highway in Illinois-- Part 2

She says the author, James R. Wright, grew up on the Dixie Highway and drives it almost every day, but it is the loss of places along the route that got him to write this book and collect the pictures. Today, there is no official Dixie Highway, but a lot of it runs along Illinois Highway 1.

It was planned by Carl Fisher, founder of the Indianapolis Speedway, Lincoln Highway, and Miami Beach, as a way to connect the Midwest with Florida. In 1914, automobiles were beginning to reach the masses in much larger numbers, and, they needed a place to drive.

Construction began in 1915 and wasn't finished in Illinois until 1927. It started in Chicago at the Art Institute and ran along the eastern border until Danville where it headed southeast to Indianapolis.

I especially liked the German POW picture as most people today do not know of the prison camps scattered throughout the United States.

Looks Like Another Book I'll Have to Add to My Collection. It's Arcadia Publishing, So You Know It's Good. --RoadDog

The Dixie Highway in Illinois-- Part 1

The June 28th Arts & Literature section of the Chicago Tribune had a Lit Life column by Julia Keller about the new Arcadia book "The Dixie Highway in Illinois" by James R. Wright.

Three pictures accompanied the article. One of the 29-story Stevens Hotel in Chicago, boasting 3,000 rooms, which was the world's largest when built. Then there is a picture og German prisoners being marched to a Hoopestown factory to work. They lived in a camp near the Dixie Highway. These prisoners helped relieve the manpower shortage and picked vegetables and worked in canning factories.

Then, Ms. Keller made a picture taken in 1915 in Henry Scheer's News Agency in Steger, Illinois, come alive. I'll just quote from her, ""Buddy Marciariello looks like he just spun himself around on the stool...to face the camera, propping his elbows on the counter, crossing one slim leg over his knee. He's wearing a white tee shirt and light trousers. His head is tilted sideways."

"If you could step into this moment, Buddy would probably give you the once-over and say, 'How're you doin'.'"

A clerk by the name of Mildred Kuetemeyer is at the end of the counter. Perhaps they are boy and girl friend? Ms. Keller gets you to thinking.

Guess I'll have to look more closely at pictures.

"A love letter to an Illinois highway" by Julia Keller, Lit Life.

This Lady Sure Has a Way With Words.. --RoadDog

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Yesterday, I took a trip north to Kenosha to meet some friends and take a trip out to Miller Park in Milwaukee for he Brewers-Padres game.

I can definitely state that there is a LOT of road construction going on on some of the streets. I kept hitting closed roads.

Drove Wisconsin Highway 50 past the world-famous Brat Stop out by I-94 and then most of the way downtown until I was stopped by some ROAD CONSTRUCTION. Kenosha has a beautiful lakefront with a big park, museums, an island, and a lighthouse among many points of interest.

I saw several classic old signs, including one for Oliver's Bakery and a drugstore. Also drove by a drive in called Andy's. This is a town that definitely warrants a more complete visit.

Great Spot to Visit. --RoadDog

US-12 and Detrot's Cadillac Square

One town I have never visited is Detroit, Michigan. I believe that I once passed through it on a family vacation back when I was in school, but we drove and did not stop.

I know that Detroit has all kinds of detractors because of inner city decay, but one place I would really like to see is Cadillac Square, which I understand to be Us-12's eastern terminus.

Back on July 28th, Shorpy, an old photo site, ran a picture of Cadillac Square, circa 1916, showing the beautiful Hotel Pontchartrain and the square as viewed from City hall. www.shorpy.com

These pictures are really neat because you can see it full-size and then scroll around and really get some detail.

Also, there were pictures of the hotel and square in 1907 and 1910 enabling you to see changes that had occurred in the intervening years.

More to Come. --RoadDog

US Highway 12

I am a big fan of US-12. Growing up in Palatine, I hit that road many of a time going to restaurants, Honey Hill, and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Plus there were all the trips back to visit Liz's parents who stilled lived in Palatine after we moved to Round Lake Beach.

After Liz's father died, her mom, Frances, lived in an apartment complex on US-12 in Arlington Heights for many years.

Now, we live in Spring Grove, Illinois, just a half mile from US-12. I never expected to live this far north along the highway and remember back in high school and college, driving through Spring Grove and thinking, "Man, is this place far away."

Now, we take US-12 (or Rand Road as it is known in the northwest suburbs) into Richmond, Illinois, and into Lake Geneva. We sometimes pick up Walworth County Highway H in Genoa City. This is the original 1926 route before today's expressway US-12 was built to Elkhorn.

This is a very scenic, country drive through the rolling hills of Wisconsin. Plus, entering Lake Geneva on Wells Street, there are many old mom and pop motels, including one with cottages.

That US-12, One Great Road. --RoadDog

Historic Homes in Lexington, Kentucky

Besides the University of Kentucky and all those wonderful horse farms around this Bluegrass town, there are also some historical houses located there.

The HUNT-MORGAN home is that of Confederate general John Hunt Morgan, whose raids in the state and north of the Ohio River are very well known.

MARY TODD LINCOLN home, where Abraham Lincoln's wife grew up before coming to Springfield to live with her sister. Of interest, her family owned slaves.

ASHLAND-- the home of 19th century statesman Henry Clay.

PLUS, there is that great ride along US-421 from Richmond, through Lexington, capital Frankfort, and on to historic Madison, Indiana, on the Ohio River. This is one of the best drives I've ever made.

It's a Blue Thing. --RoadDog

Sugar Bowl Sign to Be Saved-- Part 5

Chicago Tribune July 22nd.

The Sugar Bowl sign protrudes from the building (whereas today signs are flat on them) and features the word "restaurant" in white on a red background. Also the word "Air Conditioned" is below that. On top of it is the two-handled sugar bowl. This is really a striking piece of work.

The newest owners, Steve Morakalis and George Prassas, took over in December and renovated the restaurant, opening about three months ago. They agreed to keep the sign after talking with the city of Des Plaines. The words sweet cream will be removed and "pancakes and more" added.

Owner Steve Morakalis didn't know much of the restaurant's past, but learned. "The Sugar Bowl has a history behind it. We have customers here that...worked in here. Their kids worked here."

Glad to See This Sign Is Being Saved. --RoadDog

What's This Thing Called Lambeau Field-- Part 2

People were all over the place, many standing in a particularly long line that I later found out was where some company was giving out Packer flags.

The meeting started right at 10 AM as they had announced. I'd say the stadium was maybe a quarter full. Green Bay had allowed fans to buy as little as one share, which is what Kip had done. Kip is what you'd have to call a rabid fan. He probably has enough Packer stuff to open his own store, but he could never part with anything. He even has a Packer Christmas tree!!!

Unfortunately, it had been raining and continued to drizzle off and on for the whole meeting. The bigwigs had a covered stage, but us fans had to sit in the rain. Fortunately, Kip had pieces of plastic which we were able to put down on the seats to avoid unsightly water marks.


WHAT THEY SAID

Some interesting stuff between the 2008 and 2009 years (end March 31st)

First number 2009, second 2008

Television Revenue: $94,484,631-- $87,584,700
Home Game Revenue: 31,097,266-- 30,889,618
Private Box Income: $12,827,613-- $12,059,952
Concessions and Parking (net): 5,241,984-- $5,495,548
Player Costs: $138,697,272-- $124,651,348

Profits from Operations: $20,109,631-- $21,420,197
Other Income (expense): ($11,187,691)-- $14,369,619-- I don't remember what the 2008 expense was.

More to Come. --RoadDog

What's This Thing Called Lambeau Field?-- Part 1

July 30th, I missed a day of boating (well, it was actually a rainy, threatening day so I really didn't miss it) and got up at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. (I had to figure out how to set the alarm clock, something I'd forgotten in the three years I've been retired. Just one of those little obstacles you have to overcome when you're retired, but I can learn to live with it.)

Went with Kip and Susie and picked up Paul in Kenosha, and drove to Green Bay, arriving at Lambeau Field, Home of the Green Bay Packers, in the rain about 9 AM for their annual Shareholders and Guests Meeting, done at this date to coincide with the beginning of preseason camp at nearby St. Norbert College in case anyone wants to get in on that action as well.

Kip had to get tickets before we were allowed to go in. The Packers have done a great job in building what they call the Atrium onto the outside of Lambeau. Inside there are bars (especially Curly's Pub, named after Curly Lambeau) and several souvenir places. One other time I was there, they were setting up for a private party. This way, they are able to get year-long use out of the field.

Someone really had a good idea for this one.

Next, the Meeting. --RoadDog

Sugar Bowl Sign to Be Saved-- Part 4

Last month, I wrote about the wonderful old Sugar Bowl restaurant sign being saved in Des Plaines, Illinois. It is a classic.

The Georgia Garvey article "Sweet memories help save a 1957 vintage sign" in the July 22nd Chicago tribune continued saying that James Peters, executive director of Landmarks Illinois worked unsuccessfully to save the half dozen Magikist signs that were once on almost every Chicago expressway. The last of these signs, which advertised for a now-defunct cleaning company, came down about ten years ago. I remember seeing one along the Kennedy many times while I was growing up. Plus, there was one that said "Bud...Bud...Budweiser" that I liked.

AND I MET THIS GUY

Tod Swormstedt of the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio said, "There's this kind of heartfelt, warm, emotional attachment. These signs bring back memories and, as a rule, they're good memories.

If you ever want to know ANYTHING about the history of signs, this is the guy you really need to talk to. It costs $10 to visit his museum, and worth every cent of it.

This Sugar Bowl sign is quite the retro look.

Nice picture of the Sugar Bowl sign on Flickr. Picture of the Magikist logo on Wikipedia.

More To Come. --RoadDog

The Colonial Parkway-- Part 2

The Colonial Parkway is a 23-mile-long roadway connecting all five sites, and as such could easily be called America's Most Historic Road, even though some National Road, Lincoln Highway, and Route 66 folk might disagree. But this is a LOT 'O History on one small area.

Our first English settlement, a town where the foundations of the US were laid, and a battlefield where this new liberty was won, all within a short distance of each other.

The brochure says , "Enjoy spectacular views of the James and York rivers along this 'All American Road.' Watch for glimpses of the region's diverse wildlife, while taking in all of the Historic Triangle's rich natural and cultural history."


WIKIPEDIA

Looked it up in the good old Wikipedia, which said the road took over 25 years from concept to creation, from 1930 to 1957. The "scenic bucolic roadway carefully shielded from views of commercial development," and a major effort has been made to keep traffic signs and modern roadside items at a minimum. It is toll-free, which is a good thing since a group of tickets to get you into all five sites will set an adult back $80.25 (child $33.25).

It has been designated a National Scenic Byway, one of only 27 in the United States.

Definitely Worth a Drive. --RoadDog

The Colonial Parkway, Virginia-- Part 1

I received a brochure in the mail from America's Historic Triangle featuring Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. They have tickets and vacation packages that you can buy to visit the five major sites they have, all connected by what they call the Colonial Parkway, a 23-mile long road.

I think I might have visited Jamestown and Williamsburg with my family many years ago, but am not sure. Either way, I definitely plan to go to them at some time in the near future.


FIVE ATTRACTIONS

HISTORIC JAMESTOWNE-- the first permanent English settlement, now over 400 years old. The James Fort excavation is going on and you can watch real archaeology in action.

JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT-- a living-history museum.

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG-- oldest and largest interactive history experience.

THE YORKTOWN VICTORY CENTER-- a museum of the American Revolution.

YORKTOWN BATTLEFIELD-- last major engagement of the war. Visit the Moore House where surrender negotiations were drawn up. Also tour the site of the British surrender.

www.AmericasHistoricTriangle.com

Now, Here's a Road with a REAL LOT of History. --RoadDog

Has It Come to This?-- Part 2

July 27th, I wrote about the comic strip Cathy where she received a trip notice from a friend that was JUST TOO MUCH.

Yesterday's Tribune ran one of her strips from August 2002 as Cathy is on vacation until this Monday.

This is along the same lines as the one from Sunday.

It starts with three of her office workers standing around talking.

The woman says: "...so there we were...the middle of nowhere...day four of a ten-day trip...with a full memory card and a frozen laptop!"

The two men look aghast, "Oh, No!"

"My husband got on cell to find a place that that could transfer files to CD...but we were nowhere! You couldn't even buy more digital memory!"

The two men, still aghast, "What did you do?! What did you do?!"

"It took 36 hours, but we finally got a PDA wireless web navigation connect to a mini-mart two counties over that could download and e-mail our vacation pictures home!"

The two men, "Wow! Bravo! What an adventure!"

Last frame, another woman comes in and says, "We saw Paris." All three run out of the room saying, "Yawn."

What in the world was the first lady talking about?

Has It Come To This? --RoadDog