Route 66 to Pontiac

We stayed in Pontiac...one of our favorite Route 66 places. Of course, it took us three days to drive the 99 miles from Chicago to Pontiac. Even more embarrassing is that we barely made the 99 miles in three days.

Terrell figured there would be some really good garage sales in Pontiac. So we are up bright and early and found one. Since that didn't work out, she said to follow this car that stopped at the one garage sale (like they know something we don't). Instead of leading us to another garage sale, I think they were driving aimlessly trying to lose the women in the Ford Fusion. Finally, we found an antique store open and this is where the fun part of the day begins.

Howard Street Antiques & More at 501 W. Howard is owned by Gary (who is somehow related to almost everyone in Pontiac). He had some great stuff and good prices and was a lot of fun to visit.

Visited the Route 66 Museum at 842 S. Walnut and met Jim Jones, a volunteer who gave us additional info for our trip. Pontiac has lots of beautiful murals, too, and continues to be one of our favorite stops.

Route 66 to Gardner, Dwight and Odell

Next stop was Gardner where we looked for an old restaurant that had been shut down by the fire department. The Riviera, at 5650 S. Route 53, was built in 1928 and the new owner had put a former streetcar diner in the back for additional venues. Unfortunately, the fire department wanted $60,000 to update to fire code so the owner had to shut down. We snuck across the yellow caution tape and took a quick photo of the place. As we tried to sneak back to our car, another car stopped and asked if we owned the place (actually, it was our second ownership question of the trip...I guess that's what happens when you have New York plates on your rental car).

As you wind through Gardner, you will run into spots where the road has the painted Route 66 emblem.

On the way through Dwight, we saw the Java Stop at 416 West Waupansie Street. It is so cute, built of two railroad freight cars stacked on each other. Also in Dwight is Ambler's Texaco, a 1933 station at Old Route 66 and Illinois 17. I love the banjo style Texaco sign in front.

We also made a quick stop in Odell to take a picture of a beautifully restored 1932 Standard Station on Old Route 66. They had a gift shop with t-shirts showing a detailed map of stops on the Mother Road (which we got). Odell is one of those little side stops that is easily bypassed, and is actually on what is sometimes called a "spur" of Route 66. You need to drive all the "spurs" to get the true feeling of the Mother Road.

At West and Hamilton in Odell is a little sign showing what once was a "subway" for school children to safely cross dangerous Route 66. Now that the town is so deserted, it is hard to imagine that road having been so heavily traveled. Definitely worth a quick stop to check out.

On the way out of Odell to Pontiac there is a restored Meramec Caverns barn sigh with a Route 66 Roadside Attractions sign in front. You just have to follow the little side road and it dead ends where you get a good view of the barn. It is sad as it also has a "road ends" sign where beyond you see the remains of Old Route 66.

Route 66 Westward

Leaving Joliet you follow Hwy 53 to Wilmington. Now I am giddy as the long awaited sighting of the Gemini Giant is at hand. Yes, it's another Muffler Man...dressed as a spaceman in front of the Launching Pad Drive-In at 810 E. Wilmington. This drive-in truly embraces its Route 66 connection with cute decor and good food. Since the Muffler Man is right off the road, you need to stand pretty close to the road to get good pictures. Fortunately, the locals are used to that and just honk and stare.

Found a giant Route 66 root beer bottle at Camz Retro at 203 N. Water Street. Lots of cute clocks and Route 66 goodies. Loved the Serenity Antique Mall where we met one of the owners...a super lady named Amy. Great selection of collectibles and reasonably priced! Serenity Antique Mall is at 117-119 N. Water Street in Wilmington.

Mar Theatre at 121 South Main Street is another retro gem...still in use since 1937!

I really do love that Sinclair Dinosaur and found one on top of G & D Tire at 200 East Baltimore Street.

Heading out of Wilmington, we experience another moment we've waited for...the Polka Dot Drive-In at 222 North Front Street in Braidwood. We weren't hungry, but forced ourselves to eat a grilled cheese and chocolate shake. Wow...great shakes! And...for my sis...a real thrill as the Seaburg table jukeboxes really worked. We fed it several quarters during our stop and listened to the oldies. They even used actual Seaburg speakers, mounted on the walls...something we had never seen before. Plus, the class drive-in speakers that would hang on your car window were on display.