Dwight, IL: Ambler's Texaco Station

Ambler's Texaco Station was built in 1933 by Jack Shore. It featured the common architectural gas station design know as the "house and canopy" or domestic style.



The filling station had many owners over the years, but the most prominent one remains Basil "Tubby" Ambler who owned and operated the station between 1938-1966. Today the station is still refered to as the "Ambler's Texaco Station."



Even with that, the Station is also known as Becker's Marathon Gas Station when Phil Becker took over in 1970. For 26 years, Becker and his wife Debbie operated the station. In 1996, the couple leased the building to an auto repair business.



The station last dispensed gasoline in 1999 and was the longest operating gas station along the Route.



The building was donated to the village of Dwight. It took between to 2005-2007 for the station to be restored to its 1940s look. The station was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 2001. Today, it serves as a welcome center to travelers on the Route.

Underground Tunnel: Odell, IL

Rolling down the streets of the sleepy little town of Odell, IL it is hard to believe that the Route was so busy that it required a tunnel to be constructed. Across the street from St. Paul Catholic Church lies the underground subway.



The traffic along the Route was so congrested at the time, that for the safety of church-goers and schoolchildren, a tunnel was constructed in 1937 for everyone's safe passage.



By 1947, the main road bypassed Odell and the tunnel no longer was needed. The tunnel was then filled in. In 2006, the Route 66 Association of Illinois restored the first few steps and erected a sign detailing the tunnel's importance to the city.

Big Al's Hot Dogs: Dwight, IL

Big Al's Hot Dogs. I really don't know much about this establishment. I could have swore it was opened last year. But the last time I went by, there was a "For Sale" posted.



Definitely not an original hot dog stand on Route 66...



But it was modeled as being a throwback to all those great food stops on the way.



Unfortunately, like most places on the Mother Road, it's slowly fading away.



Get your "Kicks on Doghouse 66."

Meramec Caverns Barn: Cayuga, IL

Cayuga, IL is one of those places that can be describe as forgettable. There isn't much to this tiny town in Livingston County. All that dot the countryside are fields, barns and more farmland. But look closely and you can discover a hidden treasure of Route 66's golden days; a newly restored Meramec Caverns barn.



Meramec Caverns owner Lester Dill found a new way to advertise his attraction in Stanton, Missouri. He offered to paint various barns across the country with the name of his establishment. Many farmers accepted his offer and the the famous Meramec Caverns advertising was born. Today, Cayuga and Hamel are the only two Illinois towns along Route 66 with Meramec barns. This barn in Cayuga was restored by the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee in 1998. Illinois Department of Transportation has even made a turnout near the site where passerbys can safely exited and view the barn.

Historic Streetcar Diner: Gardner, IL

I decided to head to the town of Gardner, IL; home the famous Streetcar Diner.



The current location was not the original one of this relic. In fact, it was a working Pullman streetcar in Kankakee, IL. When electric streetcars became the newest rage, those that could not be converted (such as this one) were sold as scrap. George Kaldem bought the car in 1932 in hopes of opening a roadside diner along Route 66.



During this time, the diner became an "unofficial Greyhound bus stop." The popular spot ran as a business for 7 years. After that time, it was moved in 1937 where it served as cottage and a children's playhouse.



In 1955, the streetcar diner was once again moved, this time to its present location behind the Riviera Roadhouse. Unfortunately, the forgotten little diner was left to deteriorate in the elements of Gardner's weather.



Luckily for us history buffs, the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee saw the streetcar as valuable to the story of the old road. It took 5 years for the preservation efforts of the Committee to be realized and the trolley was restored to its former glory. It still remains behind the Riviera, has a working trolley bell and been named the "66 Cafe." So keep on eye on the road and visit the hidden gem; the Historic Streetcar Diner of Gardner, IL.

Prelude

As a child, I grew up seeing the "Historic Route 66" signs up around town. I would ask my dad, "What was that?" He would often reply, "Oh, it's just an old road." I never really thought much more of it. Eventually I moved away from the old road. It was out of my sight and thoughts.



But it wasn't until recently, that the interest took shape once again. I had just started at Loyola University and frankly I became a little overwhelmed. I needed to get away. I hopped in the car and drove south. As I breezed past the numerous cornfields that helped to clear my head, I stumbled past the town of Gardner, IL. I knew I was far from home, but then another curious thing happened: I came across a "Historic Route 66" sign. So on a whim, I followed it. It led me through the towns of Odell and Pontiac. My first photo opportunity came by the way of the Odell Standard Oil station. Unfortunately, it was time to go. But that short trip re-sparked an interest in the Old Road. Ever since that day, I try to go down there as often as possible. As a result, I have decided to document my travels and dedicate this blog to the Historic Route 66.