It was announced today that the historic Soulsby Station in Mount Olive, Ill., was awarded a $10,000 cost-share grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for its continued restoration.
The station was built in 1926 by Henry Soulsby, the same year Route 66 was designated. The station was operated by the family until its closing in 1991.
From the news release:
The Soulsby Station remains almost completely unchanged since a mid 1930’s addition.
The Soulsby Shell Station on Old Route 66 in Mt. Olive is known all over the world. […] Become a part of this worthwhile project anyway you can. This is an opportunity to volunteer your labor, to donate funds to help match the grant amount, or to donate old Shell products or memorabilia to be displayed when the project is completed. Currency donations can be made directly to the Soulsby Station Society at the First National Bank of Mt. Olive or you may contact Soulsby Station Society treasurer, Nelson Grman at 618-635-2527 or e-mail at nelsongrman@hotmail.com
The folks at the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program have told me they will provide me a full list of the 2008 cost-share grant recipients in the coming days.
(Photo courtesy of Guy Randall.)
I was wondering what is the planned retoration? When I last visited in 2005 it looked in pretty good shape, freshly painted etc?
The exterior was preserved very well, even during Mr. Soulsby’s lifetime, which made restoration a much easier task. The interior, however, will require a great deal of effort with more expensive materials and work to restore it to its original condition and appearance. It’s good to hear that Soulsby Shell will be getting the attention it deserves. There were few gas station owners/operators more colorful than Mr. Soulsby. This station and its preservation is also a tribute to Tom Teague, the 66 historian who was a good friend to Mr. Soulsby and the founder of the Soulsby Station Society mentioned above. At a time when many other older gas stations in Illinois were becoming forgotten, Tom kept both Mr. Soulsby and his station in the limelight of 66 activity.