Lincoln Route 66 sites featured in Chicago TV segment

The Loyola University of Chicago men's basketball team made an unlikely march to the NCAA Final Four and play in the semifinals Saturday at the San Antonio Alamodome. To mark the occasion, the big CBS affiliate in Chicago sent reporter Charlie De Mar and a cardboard cutout of Loyola's team chaplain and fan favorite, Sister … Continue reading Lincoln Route 66 sites featured in Chicago TV segment

New mural to be unveiled Sunday in Elkhart

A new Route 66-themed mural in downtown Elkhart, Illinois, will be unveiled Sunday during a weekend that includes the 11th annual Car Cruise-In at The Mill in nearby Lincoln, Illinois. Here's more information about the mural from a news release: According to the Elkhart Historical Society, “the colorful hand-painted mural measuring 36 feet long by … Continue reading New mural to be unveiled Sunday in Elkhart

Spaceship to land at The Mill for its 88th birthday

I never thought I'd write that headline. A spaceship made by the same man who crafted the World's Largest Covered Wagon in Lincoln, Illinois, will make a special appearance Tuesday at The Mill museum for the Route 66 landmark's 88th birthday. The Mill opened as The Blue Mill sandwich stand July 25, 1929, along U.S. … Continue reading Spaceship to land at The Mill for its 88th birthday

The Mill in Lincoln reopens after 21-year hiatus

The Mill restaurant of Lincoln, Illinois, on Saturday reopened as local history museum, capping a decade-long effort to restore the dilapidated Route 66 landmark after it closed in 1996. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner was there to attend the ceremonial ribbon (thankfully, the ceremony was indoors, as virtually of Illinois was drenched by torrential rainstorms). Video … Continue reading The Mill in Lincoln reopens after 21-year hiatus

The Mill plays a role in solving a Lincoln mystery

The Mill restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, which reopened this weekend as a museum, played an unlikely role in solving a mystery involving a local church and Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln long was rumored to have practiced law at the Lincoln Christian Church in Lincoln in the late 1850s when the local courthouse burned and the church was … Continue reading The Mill plays a role in solving a Lincoln mystery

Governor will attend The Mill’s grand reopening

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and state Rep. Tim Butler will attend several Route 66 events in Lincoln, Illinois, on Saturday, including the grand reopening of The Mill as a local museum. According to a news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: The festivities begin with a parade at 11 a.m. from downtown Lincoln … Continue reading Governor will attend The Mill’s grand reopening

New fundraiser launched for The Mill in Lincoln

The Mill restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, will reopen as a local museum April 29, but organizers for the Route 66 landmark seek to raise money for final restoration expenses before the big event. This week, a Crowdrise fundraiser was launched by the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County. Here's what it says: The Mill … Continue reading New fundraiser launched for The Mill in Lincoln

The Mill grand opening set for April 29

The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, will reopen as a museum during a grand opening April 29 after the former Route 66 restaurant finished renovations to make its restrooms accessible to the handicapped. Thanks to prompting from Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County board secretary Geoff Ladd, the city likely will help organize several events … Continue reading The Mill grand opening set for April 29

Signs to be added to downtown Route 66 alignment in Lincoln

The city of Lincoln, Illinois, soon will add signs to direct travelers to a more-obscure 1926-1930 alignment through downtown. The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announced this week it worked with the city and the Illinois Department of Transportation to update Route 66 signs in Lincoln, including the 1926-1930 alignment through its historic downtown that … Continue reading Signs to be added to downtown Route 66 alignment in Lincoln

Additional funding sought for The Mill’s bathrooms

The Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County seeks an extra $4,755 from the city to build handicap accessible bathrooms -- that also are transgender-friendly -- at The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois. The group hopes to have everything done so The Mill, a former Route 66 restaurant, can open as a local museum in the … Continue reading Additional funding sought for The Mill’s bathrooms