Atlanta, Ill., isn’t resting on its laurels

In another story today from the Bloomington Pantagraph, the Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill. — already a swell little place to visit — is seeking more ways to preserve the town’s past, including forming a historic preservation commission.

“We want to figure out how we can do more for Route 66,” said local businessman Bill Thomas of Teleological Learning Company, a trustee of the Friends of the Atlanta Library and Museum. “This is not just for Atlanta, but for everyone along the road; it all works together. If we continue to make our attractions more attractive, people are then going to end up hitting other towns en route to Atlanta.” (my emphasis)

This is forward-looking. Not only does Atlanta realize that Route 66 tourism can help it, but it can help other towns. This isn’t altruism; this is good sense.

The town also seeks to restore the historic Downey Building so it can house the museum and free up its current space at the library. It’s hoped the Downey Building will be ready by 2008 — its 100th birthday.
And the citizens of Atlanta aren’t done there.

Martin also discussed a possible new historic preservation commission that would involve the various attractions, such as the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator, library, museum and the now-closed coal mineshaft. The commission could pursue funding for further improvements.

“This would be our way to wrap our arms around everything going on here in Atlanta and would give us a way to package it all up for the public,” said Martin.

Thomas also discussed moving an old corn crib to the Hawes elevator site and converting it into a multimedia education center for the elevator. The project for this would cost around $25,000, and that money already has been raised from descendants of J.H. Hawes, Thomas said.

Future projects also discussed included improving the Route 66 park in downtown Atlanta and starting an Atlanta Dog Days festival on Memorial Day weekend.