Longtime roadies may remember the Pour Richard’s restaurant and bar in downtown Odell, Illinois, a hangout for tourists after they checked out the landmark Odell Station and the former pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 in town.
It’s now the Hobart’s on Tremont establishment, according to a story in the Bloomington Pantagraph.
Because it’s in a Route 66 town, Hobart’s contains some Route 66 memorabilia. But it turns out the location has deeper Router 66 roots than you might imagine.
According to the well-researched Deep Tracks Maps Series, Hobart’s location at 210 W. Tremont St. sits on the original alignment of Route 66 of Wolf Street through the business district, before it jogs to Waupansie Street.
Route 66 later was realigned twice to the west before Interstate 55 opened.
The location at Hobart’s on Tremont, owned by Dan and Mary Ann Hobart, dates to the 1960s and ’70s, the newspaper reported.
Other restaurants that have called this historic location home have been The Shamrock Tap & Dining Room, owned by Helen and Gabe Black; Pour Richard’s Tap & Dining Room, whose recipes are still used today; and, most recently, GD’s Saloon. […]
Several painted murals are on display throughout the restaurant, including one of the historic Odell Gas Station on Route 66. The logo and window decals were painted by Steven “Con Man” O’Connor.
“I think the community and the rich history of this restaurant really helps a lot. If it wasn’t for our community and the history of this place, I think it would have been a lot harder,” Dan Hobart said. “The community is what makes us; they’re very supportive.”
A look through the Newspapers.com archive reveals the earliest reference to the Shamrock Tap in Odell was an ad in the Streator newspaper in 1961.
According to Livingston County property records, the building itself was constructed in 1880.
FYI, Hobart’s will close for about a week for remodeling, starting on April 19, to install new flooring and a steam table.
(Image of Hobart’s on Tremont in Odell, Illinois, by Hallie Bezner via Facebook)