Dennis Koehler, owner of the long-closed The Mill restaurant along Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., was fined $32,200 by a county judge for allowing the building to be unsafe, or $100 for each day, reports the Lincoln Courier.
It undoubtedly didn’t help that Koehler showed up 25 minutes late for the court hearing. What really stinks is that several people in the courtroom were prepared to go to bat for Koehler in an effort to preserve the local landmark. But Koehler’s tardiness prevented them.
Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County director Geoff Ladd attended the hearing, saying he was prepared to testify on Koehler’s behalf in support of saving the decrepit building. […]
“One of the most widely recognized Route 66 landmarks in Lincoln is the Mill,” Ladd stated in a letter. “We (the tourism bureau) are interested in finding a way to perhaps preserve at least part of this historic structure and we are currently communicating with a number of Route 66 and historic preservation organizations that may be able to help us preserve at least the front part of the building and the sign.” […]
“Patty Ambrose of the Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project has also requested to ask for more time while the scenic byway interpretive plan is being put together,” he said in the letter. “Preservation and promotional funds may be available through this program as well.”In a second letter, Ambrose asked the court to delay a decision about the Mill’s future until a study by her organization could be completed.
“I’ve seen the Mill and understand the desperate condition of the facility,” she stated. “However, there may be some aspect (of the building) that can be saved …”
Koehler says he’ll appeal the ruling. Short histories of The Mill restaurant can be found here and here.
I agree that something has to be done about the building, but fear it is too far gone to save. It definitely is a neat-looking buiding, but something needs to be done with it.