Glacial Deposits.indd - Department of Geography - Geology - Illinois ...

On the way to Joliet, you would see the many signs for White Fence Farm. White Fence also
was a place for chicken, fries, vegetable, and a drink; but it was a little classier than the Chicken
Basket and had seating in different rooms. Around the grounds were a farm-like decor and
some animals for kids to pet or learn about through practical experience.
There were three major museums I visited along the Mother Road. Downtown Joliet had a good
museum with videos about most attractions along old Route 66. Right down the street was the
Rialto Theatre, which has been restored. Elk City, Oklahoma, had artifacts and many souvenirs
of Route 66 along with an old car and Native American craft work such as dolls and totem poles.
This museum claimed to be the Official Route 66 Museum and one of the biggest. The one in
Clinton, Oklahoma, was very good with souvenirs, pictures, refreshments, and lodging nearby.
Every stop had its own theme centered around Route 66 and nearby attractions. Just recently
built is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, which is a must see, along with Shea’s Gas
Station Museum, down old Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois.
Heading towards St. Louis, you came across little towns that now are obscure due to the new
interstates. One curious place was Henry’s Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, Illinois. Many truckers
and collection enthusiasts would see this Route 66 memorabilia stop. Just down the road was
Litchfield, where we would stop at a smorgasbord restaurant on our way to ballgames or
headed down south towards southern Illinois. Someone told me that it was called the Ariston
Café. I now pick up a business card every time I stop, just to remind me of the name.
Beyond Springfield, Missouri, there is Joplin, Missouri, a quaint little town along the Route 66
trail. Then, as you drive westward, you come to the border with Kansas. A stretch of road for 13
miles in the very southeast corner of Kansas is part of Route 66. The route is labeled by signs
on the pavement, which becomes very narrow. On this short stretch is a Texaco gas station that
is now an exhibition building for the segment of 66 in Kansas. Every year they hold a 13 mile
half marathon centered on this gas station and the border. There are a number of very old and
narrow bridges on this route.
As you leave Kansas, you come to Commerce, Oklahoma, the former home of Mickey Mantle,
the deceased but still famous outfielder of the New York Yankees. It is significant to me for I
love baseball and came across this town by accident. The route travels through Oklahoma and
winds around little towns that are now run-down and tattered because of the new routing down
the Will Rodgers Turnpike. The land is dry and has scattered oil pumps along the way with
cattle grazing the rugged land. However, one spot that stands out on the Turnpike is
Claremore, the home town of Will Rogers. It has a museum and the home of the philosopher
and political humorist. I always enjoyed his wit and humor. Into Oklahoma City, you will find the
memorial of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. It is not old Route 66, but is very impressive
attraction on the way west on Interstate 40. At one time, Oklahoma City was filled with oil
derricks, and hosts the Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Heading towards Texas is a long stretch of flat land with hardly any trees and occasional rivers
crossing the route. Route 40 parallels what was once Route 66. The city of Amarillo springs up
out of nowhere. The Big Texan is a steak house in Amarillo that has signs as you come in all
over the highway. If you can eat 72 ounces of steak in one hour, it is free. They put you up on a
stage with your own table, and others are watching you eat the steak. Many have tried, but
many have failed. Amarillo also has a lot of truck traffic and a multitude of motels with
interesting rates and attractions. Just out of Amarillo is the Cadillac Ranch, a field where old
Cadillacs stick half way in the ground on an abandoned farm. Travelers stop here and use spray
paint to mark their arrival by drawing or leaving messages on the cars. The time we stopped
16