Route 66 - Day #3
Monday, April 13, 2026
The theme for Day #3 is going to be “A whole lot of Lincoln!” So, no better place to start than Lincoln, IL.
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Logan County Courthouse where Lincoln practiced law before being elected in 1860.
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This is known as the Lincoln Watermelon Monument. It is located in the park where he was asked to christen the newly named town of Lincoln and he did so by pouring watermelon juice on the ground.
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This art installation in Lincoln is called “Cow in the corn.” It gives a nod to Route 66 which passes directly through town.
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Again, the theme for today is everything Lincoln.
From ChatGPT:
The Postville Courthouse State Historic Site is a reconstructed 1840 frontier courthouse that once served as Logan County’s first seat of government. A young Abraham Lincoln practiced law here while riding the Eighth Judicial Circuit. The original building was later moved to Michigan, and today’s 1953 replica preserves its history with exhibits and a restored courtroom.
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The world’s largest covered wagon - and guess who is at the reins….
They remove the cloth cover in the winter to protect it from damage. We just happen to be here early enough in the season that it has not been reinstalled.
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Reading his law book - the earliest indication that distracted driving pre-dated the iPhone.
From ChatGPT:
The Route 66 Corner Garage is a nostalgic stop along historic Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois. Housed in a vintage service garage, it features antiques, collectibles, and classic Americana. Visitors can browse Route 66 memorabilia while experiencing the charm of a preserved roadside garage from the highway’s mid-20th-century heyday.
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From ChatGPT:
The Mill is a restored Route 66 landmark originally opened in 1929 as the Blue Mill restaurant and dance hall. Once a popular roadside gathering spot, it declined after Route 66 faded and closed in 1996. After extensive community restoration, it reopened in 2017 as a museum showcasing Route 66 history and memorabilia.
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From ChatGPT:
The Old Station in Williamsville, Illinois, is a restored 1930s Route 66 gas station that reflects the charm of early roadside travel. Located along the original alignment, it features vintage pumps and signage from brands like Texaco and Sinclair. Though no longer operating, it remains a popular photo stop and nostalgic reminder of Route 66’s heyday.
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A couple of murals from the town of Williamsville, IL.
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Next, we stopped at Lincoln’s tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, IL
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You are told to rub Lincoln’s nose for good luck. As you can see, it has been rubbed to a shiny finish.
We couldn’t buck tradition. Well, at least ONE of us could reach the nose.
These images are from inside the tomb.
The plaque explains the significance of the quote above the tomb, “Now he belongs to the ages.”
We spent the majority of the day visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum (left). The matching building on the right is the Lincoln Presidential Library.
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The museum was truly fantastic! It is broken into two parts, one for his life before the presidency and one for his life once elected. This is the model of his one-room log home as a child.
The White House kitchen as it would have appeared in Lincoln’s time.
A depiction of the cabinet meeting where he presented his Emancipation Proclamation. It was a highly debated document and he received a great deal of push-back, even from his own cabinet.
A depiction of Lincoln struggling with the trials of war as he stands behind his resolute desk.
A depiction of that fateful night of April 14, 1865 at Ford’s Theater. To think we were here on April 13th; almost exactly 161 years to the day that he was shot in Washington, DC. Robert E. Lee had surrendered on April 9, 1965 and Lincoln and Mary were celebrating at the theater that night. Lincoln, after being shot behind his left ear, would live until the following morning of April 15, 1865; but he would never regain consciousness.
A depiction of Lincoln laying in state in Springfield, IL.
After the museum, we walked a few blocks further south to visit the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
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From ChatGPT:
Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the only home ever owned by Abraham Lincoln. Located in a four-block historic neighborhood, the house reflects Lincoln’s life from 1844 to 1861, when he left for the presidency. Restored to its 1860 appearance, it offers a glimpse into his family life and rising political career. Visitors can tour the home, explore surrounding historic buildings, and walk streets much as Lincoln did. The site provides insight into mid-19th-century American life and Lincoln’s personal story before the American Civil War.
Old State Capitol.
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Downtown Springfield mural.
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Union Square Park and Union Station.
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It’s time to jettison the heavy Lincoln history and return to the lighter fare of Route 66 nostalgia.
This is the Cozy Drive In - a true Route 66 institution.
From ChatGPT:
Cozy Dog Drive In is a classic Route 66 eatery famous for the Cozy Dog, an early version of the corn dog reportedly popularized here in 1946. Founded by Ed Waldmire, it became a beloved roadside stop. The restaurant features nostalgic décor, Route 66 memorabilia, and continues to serve travelers seeking an authentic taste of mid-century Americana.
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This description of the history of the Cozy Dog is done in Bob Waldmier’s hand. Bob’s parents where the proprietors of the Cozy Drive In and this is where Bob himself developed his love for the Mother Road.
There was no way we were going to travel Route 66 and not have a Cozy Dog. In fact, I had two, but by the time I remembered to snap a photo, the first was already history.
A few photos from the inside of the Cozy Drive In.
