Celebration 100 years on Route 66 with a Tractor Drive

Route 66 was one of the first major highways for automobiles. This year Route 66 celebrates its 100th birthday. The route is 2,448 miles. Stretching from Chicago to Santa Montica, California the route instills nostalgia and is Americana at its best. Route 66 has been the subject of books, art, songs, and is a popular cultural icon. On the Route 66 Britannica website they share “Among the other cities served by the route were, from east to west, Springfield, Illinois; St. Louis, Springfield, and Joplin in Missouri; Tulsa and Oklahoma City in Oklahoma; Amarillo, Texas; Tucumcari, Santa Fe (later bypassed), Albuquerque, and Gallup in New Mexico; Holbrook, Flagstaff, and Kingman in Arizona; and Needles, Barstow, and San Bernardino in California.”

Certainly, here in Central Illinois we see many of the stops along the way. Visitors from all over the US and around the world are coming to see the Mother Road. Local communities are adding new murals like the new Stan Lomelino and Joe Hendriks mural that recently went up in Virden, Illinois. New signs, a new neon trail and more are bringing Route 66 lure to the towns and byways. The road has inspired many. With this big birthday, communities all along the route are thinking of creative ways to celebrate.

This mural in Staunton is one that drivers will see along the tractor drive route. This mural tells a story of three Route 66 routes converging into one.

Birth of a Tractor Drive!

This idea has been in the works for quite some time. At a Mid-State Collector’s Club in Litchfield, Illinois that we belong to, it was mentioned at a Mid-State Tractor Collectors that a tractor drive might be a fun way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66. President of the club, Jim Nieman took the idea and rolled with it. After meeting together, and several phone calls, the drive was on.

Jim developed the route and got the ball rolling. Working with the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center they are the starting point. Since then, a flier has been created. Articles have been published. Jim has appeared on local radio stations, and interest is growing. I did a story in Farm World in my column Wrenching Talesl The story was shared on the Montgomery County Farm Bureau page. Information has been shared on social media. Working with Emmerson Press, a magnet for drivers has been drafted. Plans are progressing.

Part of the fun of the drive is the sites you see along the way that make the Mother Road a nostalgic ride like Soulsby’s Service Station in Mt. Olive. When we stopped and took this photo, the station was open to tour.

A new sighting for me was the large rocking chair at the Route 66 Flea Market and Storage outside of Staunton, Illinois.

Details

Tractor drivers will meet at the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center located at Historic Route 66 in Litchfield Illinois at 9:30 a.m. The museum is easy to find. It is located across the street from the Ariston. The restaurant is the oldest continuously operating restaurant along Route 66. Next to it is the historic Jubelt’s Bakery.

All years and makes and models of tractors original and restored alike are welcome. A variety of brands will be arriving in town to take part in this big event. Jim Nieman will set the speed for the drive with his Allis Chalmers WD,

Tractor drivers will travel 35 miles. The route includes three different iconic alignments of Route 66, years 1927-1930; 1930-1940; and 1940-1977.

Cost of the drive is a $10.00 registration, please bring cash, there is no availability for credit. This fee that includes snacks at a rest area and lunch. Note if you bring an extra person they too will need to pay $10.00 for a meal.

The drive will continue from Litchfield to Staunton where tractor drivers will see some Route 66 sites. In Staunton, drivers can view the former Gulf Gas Station and Café. There is a farmers’ market that is set up May-October. Travelers will enjoy the Byway interpretive Exhibit. Drivers will have lunch at the Dairy Queen.

Join Us

If interested in the drive, feel free to contact Jim Niemann at 217-324-5574, or Keith Ladage at 217-971-5917. What a better way to see Route 66 than from the tractor seat. Make memories and down the road you can say, “I was there!”

While in the area think about stopping at nearby Route 66 places that are supporting the drive like Weezy’s in Hamel, Illinois. There are some nice murals in Hamel, and Weezy’s helped sponsor the drive with giveaways. She offers great food right on the Mother Road. Owner, Karen Weisemeyer is on her 4th notebook of visitors. She has motorcycle groups stopping by from April to September from all over the world. Stop in and add your name to her book!

Bono Implements

One of the stops along the way for the tractor drivers in Bono Implements at Staunton, Illinois. The little Bono girls (ages nine and ten) are going to be set up selling snacks and drinks and with the purchase of a drink they are giving out collectible commemorative cozies! Be sure and stop by and get one!

For those that like event T-shirt we ordered a few from Emmerson Press in Divernon, Illinois. They sell for around $20.00 and you can order one if interested by calling Emmerson Press at 217-628-3551. We are not making money or raising money with this T-shirt, it is just something to remember this historic day with.

Some have been asking about hotels in Litchfield, Illinois. A Google search provided me with the following names. I have never stayed at a hotel in town because I live nearby so these are not in a particular order or preference. There is a Hampton Inn, Holliday Inn Express, Quality Inn, Baymont by Wyndham, Super 8, America’s Best Value Inn, and Motel 6. Questions about the city of Litchfield can be directed to Litchfield Tourism Office at 217-324-8147.

Check my blog for future updates.