Route 66 in the News

Rehabilitation Work Begins on The Mill

2007-06-18 17:13:21

LINCOLN, Ill. - The back of The Mill restaurant came down this morning under the watchful eyes of a group of preservationists dedicated to restoring the remainder of the building as a Route 66 museum.

"This is the end of an era," said a nostalgic Brian Huffman, whose grandparents owned The Mill.

"It's the beginning of another era."

The work was done under the auspices of the Illinois Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, both for safety reasons and to make the building more attractive for Route 66 tourists' photos.

The part of the Mill that was saved includes the original 1929 section, shaped like a Dutch windmill, and the post World War II addition, originally an Army barracks in Camp Ellis in Havana.

The restaurant and bar dates to the earliest years of route 66, in the late 1920s and early '30s. The establishment was famous for its schnitzels and its unique decor. It closed in 1996.

Contractor Peter Niehaus of Elkhart cut the back portion of the building loose with a chainsaw Sunday.

"It's rough, but we didn't want to save it," he explained. "We've been playing with the building for five or six months, taking all the little bits out and cleaning up."

Alderman Joni Tibbs said some of the artifacts she and George Dahmm recovered from the restaurant include a Braille menu, a regular menu, and a plate with a picture of the restaurant on it.

"I think it's wonderful to take something that's an eyesore to the community and preserve it," said Patti Ambrose, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project and the National Scenic Byway.

"It's an old icon and it will become an icon again. It's a wonderful attraction for visitors to stop and enjoy in addition to what Lincoln already has."

"This is important because this is the type of thing I'd like to see in more and more communities on Route 66," said Bill Thomas of Atlanta. He is the newly named president of the Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project, based in Springfield.

"There are lots of other assets like this one along Route 66," Thomas said, "and it is a joy to see Lincoln trying to save it.

"In the end, this is going to be good for all of the communities along Route 66, as well as an additional attraction to Logan County and the state. Ultimately, it will be to everybody's good."

Thomas said, when he thinks of Route 66, he remembers the trip his family made to California in 1966.

"The unique roadside architecture stands out in my mind," he said.

Parkland Environmental Group was contracted to do the necessary asbestos abatement and demolition.

"We're interested in preserving Route 66 and in saving old businesses and other endangered landmarks," said owner David Stowers.

"We really became interested when we learned they wanted to turn it into a museum and preserve it."

Asked about the amount of the bid," Stowers replied, "They just needed some help. That's why you put a good team together and donate your time."

"This grass-roots project is relying on donations to get this work done and with David's help, the funds we raised can now be used for other aspects of the restoration of the Mill," said Geoff Ladd, director of the Logan County tourism bureau and president of the local heritage foundation.

Stowers and his partner Dewayne Collins of Springfield recently opened Kicks Buffet & Family Entertainment Center on Route 66 in Springfield. Collins said he and Stowers come from large families, and they wanted to start an establishment where families could get into a place, get good food and be entertained.

He said there aren't too many places like that in Springfield.

Fire Chief Jim Davis sent a fire truck to the scene to spray water and lay the dust as the demolition at the Mill took place.

"This is a good thing for the community, rather than have it torn down," he said.

~Nancy Rollings Saul, LincolnCourier.com