Near Pontiac in Livingston County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Log Cabin Inn

Turning with the Times

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020

1. The Log Cabin Inn Marker

Inscription. Route 66 provided a steady income for family businesses like Joe and Victor "Babe" Selotis' Log Cabin Inn. Joe barbecued beef and pork on a spit out back, while Babe filled gas tanks and fixed flats. When Route 66 was relocated to the backside of the cabin, the owners jacked it up and turned it around to face the new road. Hundreds of Pontiac residents came out to witness the event.

The Log Cabin Inn, circa 1950

In the 1940s, Route 66 was widened to four lanes and relocated to the west side of the business, where it is today. The sturdy cabin was jacked up and turned 180 degrees with horses to face the new road.

The Log Cabin Inn, circa 1926

When the Selotises built their cabin business in 1926, Route 66 ran east of them next to the railroad tracks. Their buildings faced the hard road.

A Talking Crow?

Joe Selotis was given a crow that he painstakingly trained to talk. Tourists, fascinated with this chattering creature, would return to visit him often. He especially enjoyed perching on picnic tables in the company of beer drinkers where he acquired a taste for malt liquor.

Erected by Illinois Route

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66 Scenic Byway.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 40° 53.89′ N, 88° 37.419′ W. Marker is near Pontiac, Illinois, in Livingston County. It is at the intersection of Old U.S. 66 and N 1600 E St on U.S. 66. Marker is in front of the restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18700 Historic U.S 66, Pontiac IL 61764, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Division Street Bridge (approx. 0.9 miles away); Patrolling "Bloody 66" (approx. 1.1 miles away);

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020

2. The Log Cabin Inn Marker

A closeup of the marker (many of the Wayside Exhibits in Pontiac have a concrete floor shaped like the highway shield)

Lincoln Speaks at Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Home of Jason and Elizabeth Strevell (approx. 1.2 miles away); Lincoln Visits Strevell (approx. 1.2 miles away); Pontiac City Hall and Fire Station (approx. 1.2 miles away); Historic Route 66 Illinois (approx. 1.2 miles away); Original Route 66 Wishing Well & Sign Countryside, Illinois 1941-2007 (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pontiac.

Another marker is no longer nearby. A Bridge to the Past (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Old Log Cabin. Official website for the Route 66 landmark. (Submitted on October 28, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020

3. The Log Cabin Inn Marker

Wide view of the marker in front of the Log Cabin Inn

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 862 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.