The historic Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, is under contract to have new owners by mid-July after the Route 66 establishment belonged to the same family for more than 90 years. Marty and Kara Steffens, co-owners of the Maverick Steaks & Spirits restaurant in Litchfield, are scheduled to take over the reins of the Ariston by … Continue reading Ariston Cafe likely will have new owners by mid-July
Tag: Litchfield
Formerly injured bald eagle released at lake near Litchfield
A female bald eagle that endured months of recovery after being injured in a fight in April with a male bald eagle at a Litchfield, Illinois, lake was released back into the wild Saturday. The release occurred with hundreds of spectators watching at Lake Lou Yaeger, just north of Litchfield. The lake lies about two … Continue reading Formerly injured bald eagle released at lake near Litchfield
Jubelt’s in Litchfield to mark 95 years this weekend
Jubelt's Bakery and Restaurant along old Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, will mark its 95th year with giveaways and specials this weekend. According to The Journal-News: Jubelt’s will be giving away 95 prizes over three days and offering $.95 price specials on certain bakery and restaurant items. The weekend festivities also include a free pumpkin … Continue reading Jubelt’s in Litchfield to mark 95 years this weekend
Class of 2017 for Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame announced
The Route 66 Association of Illinois announced last month its three newest inductees to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame. The association inducts "people and places along Route 66 whose blend of hardy individualism and grassroots community spirit gave the road such special character." The 2017 inductees were announced at a ceremony in Lincoln, … Continue reading Class of 2017 for Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame announced
More 1990s video from Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded more videos to YouTube from his travels on Route 66 during the early to mid-1990s in a 1959 Cadillac. At the least, the videos are valuable for historic reasons. Some of the places Reichardt visited have disappeared or changed radically. The first video is a chat with Glaida Funk of Funks … Continue reading More 1990s video from Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac
More vintage Route 66 videos from Anthony Reichardt
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded more videos from Route 66 trips he undertook in a 1959 Cadillac during the early to mid-1990s. The videos contain plenty of historic value because it documents landmarks that have disappeared or changed. Reichardt's dedicated YouTube channel now contains more than 30 videos, and they're still coming. Watching them are worth your time, … Continue reading More vintage Route 66 videos from Anthony Reichardt
Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails
The Illinois Department of Transportation on Wednesday awarded $2.16 million in grants for bicycle and walking trails along Route 66 in Williamsville and McLean County. The two projects were part of 33 statewide that received grants from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, slated for "biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification work and other projects designed … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails
Sky View Drive-In has new owners
The Paul family owned the Sky View Drive-In Theatre along Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, for the last 30 years. By early March, another family in Litchfield also will own the theater. The Sky View is under contract to be bought by two husband-and-wife teams -- Nick and Mindy Pastrovich, plus Mike and Debbie Pastrovich. Mike and Debbie … Continue reading Sky View Drive-In has new owners
100 years of drive-in theaters in one map
The first of many drive-in theaters opened in New Mexico in 1914. More than 100 years later, someone has compiled an interactive map that shows more than 4,600 drive-in theaters built in the United States. Below is a screen capture of the map, but the direct link to it is here (the map may take several … Continue reading 100 years of drive-in theaters in one map
Ariston Cafe still on market, still for sale
In October 2014, the news got out that longtime owners Nick and Demi Adam had put the historic Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, up for sale with a $1.2 million price tag. In a follow-up story this week, Adam told the Springfield State Journal-Register the Route 66 restaurant remains for sale, although he said he … Continue reading Ariston Cafe still on market, still for sale