Atlanta - "Get Your Kicks on Atlanta's Route 66!"
Welcome to Atlanta, Illinois, a place where you'll find several remnants of vintage eras in this Route 66 proud town. Getting its start as the settlement of Newcastle in 1854, the village found itself over a mile from the railroad when the steam engine bustled through the area a year later. The village's answer to this dilemma was to move the town -- lock, stock and barrel, nearer the railroad, thereby establishing the new settlement known as Atlanta.
In 1903, in order to serve the area farmers, the J.H. Hawes Elevator was built. It continued to operate until 1976. Purchased in 1988 by the City of Atlanta, it was fully restored in 1993. The wooden grain elevator is the only one of its kind in the State of Illinois and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is the J. H. Hawes Elevator museum where the unique systems used to empty horse-drawn wagons and later unload grain trucks are demonstrated. The museum, located at 301 Southwest Second Street, also includes a brick engine house and a wooden scale house/office.
Another area museum can be found at the Atlanta Public Library and Clock Tower, which was built in 1908. The octagon shaped building is on the National Register of Historic Places, featuring 1840's neo-classic details such as high ceilings, a domed rotunda, high narrow windows, the original solid oak woodwork, and an old fashioned fireplace. The museum was established in the basement in 1973 and houses pieces of local history.
The Eminence Christian Church, just outside of Atlanta, is believed to have one of the oldest congregations in the country. Built in 1901, their membership hosts many fifty year members, some of which are eighth generation descendants of the charter members.
Atlanta is a city with many other historic landmarks as well. While you are here, be sure to visit The Carriage Shed, where Illinois' own Abraham Lincoln stayed with the Hoblit family and Turner's Grove where he attended a July 4, 1859 celebration., as well as Gold Springs, an 1800's resort area.
While here, enjoy a cruise through this picturesque town and check out its many murals on the historic buildings. At 107 Vine Street is a vintage era country market that has long served and a mom and pop grocery store.
Next, stroll back to the way it used to be while taking the Route 66 walking tour and celebrate The Mother Road with us at the new at Route 66 Park in downtown Atlanta, the town that is known as the geographic center of Illinois on Old Route 66. The park is home to the hotdog man who stood for more than forty years in front of Bunyon's Hotdog Stand in Cicero, Illinois. When the restaurant was sold in 2003, the famous Hot Dog Man was placed by the family on permanent loan to the town of Atlanta as part of the park. The 19-foot tall statue, now referred to as "Tall Paul," underwent months of renovation and repairs before being placed in the park.
Be sure to make Atlanta, Illinois part of your Route 66 adventure!
Sources:
City of Atlanta, Illinois
Legends of America
http://www.byways.org
