The Decatur (Ill.) Herald & Review has a good article about Geoff Ladd, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, and his efforts to save The Mill on old Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill.
He was looking to promote connections and objects associated with Route 66 and his optimistic eye soon fell upon the ruins of The Mill. Ladd glimpsed potential where others saw only an eyesore.
“People thought I was totally crazy for wanting to save this place,” he says, standing outside and looking at up today’s sagging timbers, broken windows and meandering roof line. “But, sometimes, you’ve got to think outside the box; I like a challenge.”
… (He) believes a campaign to save The Mill couldn’t be timed better.
“There is such baby boomer nostalgia for Route 66 and its places and history,” says Ladd. “And the ‘Cars’ movie has been great, too, because it’s based on Route 66. It brought in baby boomers to watch and remember the great times, and it’s interested a whole new generation of kids, too. Public sentiment is going our way.”
The article goes on to report that Ladd has the support of Brian Huffman, whose family ran The Mill for 46 years. Restoration efforts will likely include the bizarre moving mannequin leg that protrudes through the restaurant’s ceiling. Huffman said his fun-loving family installed the leg to get a rise out of customers.
Judging by Mr. Ladd’s beard, he takes his Abraham Lincoln and Route 66 seriously.
The Mill was famous for its, I hope I spell it right, schnitzel. You can get the original at Hallie’s on the Square. I haven’t had it yet, but will try it next time through.
Now, if I could just get Ernie and Fran to make up one of those old Pighip sandwiches, life will be so good!!!!!
I am too young to really remember the Route 66 TV show and I have not yet seen “Cars,” but I drove Route 66 a few years ago for other reasons. I love the old neon, the old bars and motels, and I wanted to see more of the country. I had a blast.
Broadwell will be having their 150th Bday and Ernie his 90th Bday on June 9th and they will be serving Pig Hip sandwiches! – Geoff Ladd
Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County Spring Fling for the Mill !
The Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County will be holding a fundraiser for the Mill at Hallie’s on the Square. Come on over and enjoy music, décor, a 50/50 drawing, and a Route 66 theme.
Where: Hallie’s on the Square (111 S. Kickapoo Street, Lincoln, IL)
When: Sunday, March 25, 2007 11 AM—2 PM
Dine in or carry out. $8.95 for adults, $5.95 for children, donations accepted.
Meal choices: Fried Chicken or Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Roll, Drink.
Children’s Meal: Chicken Strips, Fries and Drink.
For more information, please visit http://www.SaveTheMill.org or call 217-732-8687.
Railsplitter Antique Auto Club Announces Car Show to Help Save the Mill
Lincoln, IL – The Railsplitter Antique Auto Club has teamed up with the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County to present a car show at the Mill. All are welcome to attend, or to register their car in the show. Registration is $3, which will go directly to the Mill restoration. The show will take place on October 20, 2007, from 11 AM to 3 PM, at the Mill (738 S. Washington St., Lincoln, IL).
Visitors and will be able to participate in rare treats, such as tours of the Mill Restoration in progress and Original Schnitzel strips served with chips and a soda for $7. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and a display of antique cars. All members of the Railsplitter Antique Auto Club and the general public are invited to attend this fun filled event. Chairman of the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, Geoff Ladd, states, “it’s great to have them coming in to help us. I’m looking forward to seeing all the cars and having a lot of great food to save the Mill.”
The Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County was created to promote and preserve Route 66 sites in Logan County, after the historic Mill Restaurant was slated for demolition. Working with the owner and city council members, this organization managed to save the building from the wrecking ball. The Mill is now a construction site as volunteers work to restore the building to its former condition.
The Mill opened in 1929 under the name of the Blue Mill. It’s proprietor was Paul Coddington, who would serve patrons grilled sandwiches at any hour of the day or night. A Dutch themed building with blue trim, it featured at revolving windmill and waitresses dressed in blue with white aprons. In 1945, Albert and Blossom Huffman purchased the building, added a barroom and dance hall, and then painted the building barn red. Over the years, the restaurant became famous for it’s fried schnitzel, originally made of veal, and later of pork. By the mid 1980’s the Mill had lost most of the Dutch themed interior, and was becoming a museum of rather strange objects, including a mechanical leg protruding from a hole in the ceiling. The Mill closed in 1996, however the building is still standing in its original location.
The Railsplitter Antique Auto Club has been an active organization in Downtown Lincoln, and holds cruise-ins throughout the spring, summer, and fall. They’re always looking for new members, so come out to the Mill and join up.
For more information on this and other events in Logan County, please call 217-732-8687.