Near South East Race Street at SW Arch Street. Reported permanently removed.
This stone is from the façade of the Atlanta Public School constructed in 1870 to replace the town's original Seminary Building. The 1870 school included 10 schoolrooms, a spacious recital hall, and an office. An $800 Seth Thomas, four-dial clock . . . — — Map (db m162539) HM
Near South East Race Street at South West Arch Street.
The 1870 Public School Stone is the only remnant of the town's second school. The school, destroyed by a fire in 1908, housed 10 schoolrooms, recital hall, and an office. — — Map (db m266941) HM
Near South East Race Street at South West Arch Road, on the right when traveling south.
You may recognize this 1909 Seth Thomas clock from the former Atlanta High School. The installation occurred on May 29, 1909 and the 5 original faces ticked along until the early 1980s with the demolition of the school building. In 1979 . . . — — Map (db m293938) HM
Near South East Race Street at SW Arch Street. Reported permanently removed.
This was the cornerstone of the Atlanta High School, constructed in 1909. When the Atlanta Community Unit School District #16 consolidated with the Olympia Community Unit School District #16 in the early 1970s, the Atlanta High School was . . . — — Map (db m162540) HM
Near South East Race Street at South West Arch Street.
From 1909-1980s Atlanta High School proudly stood in Atlanta, only closing its doors when Atlanta Community Unit School District #16 consolidated with the Olympia Community Unit School District #16. The demolition of the school occurred in the . . . — — Map (db m293931) HM
Near South East Race Street at SW Arch Street. Reported permanently removed.
Designed by Bill Diaz of Pontiac, Illinois, the "Atlanta: Midway on Illinois' Mother Road" mural captures the spirit of Atlanta's place on Rt. 66. Located approximately 150 miles from both Chicago and St. Louis, Atlanta occupies a central spot in . . . — — Map (db m160819) HM
On South East Race Street at South West Arch Street, on the left when traveling north on South East Race Street.
The Atlanta public library was founded in 1873 by public spirited citizens who realized the importance of books. In 1973, the museum was added for the purpose of preserving Atlanta's heritage. In 1979, this octagonal structure was listed on the . . . — — Map (db m56326) HM
Near South East Race Street at South West Arch Street.
Atlanta High School Graduate: Walter White
Walter White graduated valedictorian as the first African-American graduate in 1884. Deemed by the Atlanta Argus as a "fine scholar for his age," upon graduating. White began work as a . . . — — Map (db m293934) HM
On Southwest Arch Street at Southeast Vine Street, on the right when traveling north on Southwest Arch Street.
That was the claim of Texaco's mid-1960s ad campaign - and it meant to carry it out in a big way of hiring International Fiberglass to make 300 Texaco Big Friends for this nationwide marketing effort.
Roughly seven giants were deployed per . . . — — Map (db m293717) HM
How Did Grain Reach the Markets Where it was Sold?
By the time my Elevator was built, wooden boxcars were used to transport grain to the wholesalers and processors I sold it to. Boxcars were kept in train yards, usually in larger cities . . . — — Map (db m163163) HM
Near South East Race Street at South West Arch Street.
Take a sip of Atlanta's refreshing water and enjoy a "bubbler" fountain. 1894 brought drinking fountains into downtown, a convenience for "a thirsty public" and "man and beast" as mentioned in the Atlanta Argus. — — Map (db m293923) HM
On Southwest Arch Street west of Southeast Vine Street, on the right when traveling west.
In the 20th century, road travel became the predominant means of going from point a to point b. With the increase of cars on the road, “attention getters,” items attracting the attention of passengers and drivers with the intended result being to . . . — — Map (db m312093) HM
On Southwest Arch Street south of SE Vine Street, on the right when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
During the heyday of Rt. 66, travelers passed hundreds of signs, murals, and other forms of roadside advertising, each hoping to grab its share of attention. Among the more famous of these stood the fiberglass giants created during the 1960s by . . . — — Map (db m160586) HM
On South East Race Street at SW Arch Street, on the right when traveling east on South East Race Street.
These millstones each weighing 1100 lbs. were unearthed from Kickapoo Creek (between Atlanta & Waynesville) by local residents in Aug 1988, a drought year. The mill was in operation from approx. 1848 until its collapse in 1915.
On loan by the . . . — — Map (db m160581) HM
Near South East Race Street at Southwest Arch Street. Reported permanently removed.
This is one of four drinking fountains installed by the City of Atlanta in May of 1934. The fountains were located at the corners of Arch & Race Streets, Arch & Vine Streets, Vine & 1st Streets, and 1st & Race Streets. Upon the occasion, the . . . — — Map (db m160817) HM
What Powered the Elevator?
Although gravity provides the force that moves grain downward from the farmer's wagon into the receiving bin, another type of force is needed to run the conveyor belt that lifts grain up in order to place it in . . . — — Map (db m163161) HM
Near South East Race Street at SW Arch Street. Reported permanently removed.
This field marker stone was moved in 2005 from it original location where it stood as a property line marker for a farm field adjacent to South Martin Street here in Atlanta. This particular marker is unusual per the details of its casting, most . . . — — Map (db m162543) HM
Near South East Race Street at South West Arch Street.
This field marker once stood as a property line marker for a farm field adjacent to South Martin Street in Atlanta. Concrete markers such as this marked the rural countryside, designating property lines. — — Map (db m293926) HM
On 1st Street south of NW Race Street, on the right when traveling south.
This grain elevator was built between April and August 1904 by a local farmer and grain dealer, J.H. Hawes. This restored elevator demonstrates the general handling and storage of grain of that era. Grain was dumped into a pit and, by a system of . . . — — Map (db m162546) HM
On 1st Street south of NW Arch Street, on the left when traveling south.
What does the windmill do?
From the mid-1800s most farms around Atlanta and throughout the Midwest had a windmill on them. Windmills were used to generate the power needed to pump water into a tank for livestock to drink. Wind turns the . . . — — Map (db m162547) HM
On Southwest Arch Street at Northwest Race Street, on the right when traveling north on Southwest Arch Street. Reported permanently removed.
During the 1890s J.M. Judy operated his grocery store on the first floor of this, the Union Building. As the 70' x 15' mural attests, Mr. Judy also dealt in Queensware, a popular china pattern of the day, notions, and musical merchandise. Bill Diaz . . . — — Map (db m160820) HM
On Southwest Arch Street at Northwest Race Street, on the right when traveling north on Southwest Arch Street.
Built in 1867, this prairie brick building nicknamed "Union Hall" holds the title as one of the oldest buildings in Atlanta. Throughout the decades, many businesses opened and closed, including J.M. Judy & Sons, a grocery store, in the 1890s. . . . — — Map (db m293954) HM
On Southwest 2nd Street at Pearl Street, on the right when traveling north on Southwest 2nd Street.
These two concrete posts were moved in 2015, from their original location at 60 NE Vine Street, where they functioned as property line markers for a lot purchased in 1906 by Mr. J.P. Hieronymus. It was there, that J.P. built his new home and the . . . — — Map (db m253208) HM
Near South East Race Street at SW Arch Street. Reported permanently removed.
This stone was dedicated by the Atlanta, Illinois Knights of Pythias organization as a memorial to veterans of World War I. The stone was placed under a Memorial Tree on November 11, 1921. At some unknown date, the stone was removed from its . . . — — Map (db m162537) HM
Near South East Race Street at South West Arch Street.
Organized as Acme Lodge #332 in 1892, the Knights of Pythias's Atlanta chapter, hosted many local events. On November 11, 1921 the lodge dedicated the "Memory Tree to the memory of the unknown soldier of the domain" (Atlanta Argus). The World War . . . — — Map (db m266931) HM
On Arch Street (Old U.S. 66) north of Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling east.
Known as the "Great Illini Boulevard," Illinois State Road 4 was laid through Atlanta in 1922-23. It was the first paved road connecting Chicago and St. Louis. In 1926, it was re-designated as U.S. Route 66 taking travelers all the way to Los . . . — — Map (db m266921) HM
On SW Arch Street at South East Race Street, on the right when traveling south on SW Arch Street. Reported permanently removed.
The 1909 Seth Thomas clock housed in this 36 foot tall tower was originally located in the Atlanta High School building, and according to a May 29, 1909 Atlanta Argus article, was installed in the town's newly constructed high school thanks to . . . — — Map (db m160578) HM
On East South Street (County Route 6) east of Weed Street, on the left when traveling west.
Lumi Bekteshi had never baked a pie before she began managing the Palms Grill Café on Route 66 in Atlanta in the spring of 2009. Three months later, she earned two first-place Blue Ribbons at the Illinois State Fair for her peach and apple . . . — — Map (db m311781) HM
Near South East Race Street at South West Arch Street.
Inspiration for this mural comes from Atlanta's geographic location on Route 66, approximately 150 miles from both Chicago and St. Louis. Bill Diaz of Pontiac, IL designed the original mural in 2003 during "LetterRip on Route 66." The current . . . — — Map (db m293925) HM
On Southwest Arch Street south of SE Vine Street, on the right when traveling south.
In its early days, weekly dances and bingo nights accompanied the blue-plate specials served at the Palms Grill Café. The "Grill" was also Atlanta's Greyhound bus-stop. You just turned the light on above the door if you wanted the bus to pick you . . . — — Map (db m160588) HM
On Southwest Arch Street at Southeast Vine Street, on the right when traveling north on Southwest Arch Street.
This giant was first located at Wades 66 service station just south of Macon, GA off exit 155. He was a part of the Phillips 66 "The Gasoline That Won the West" mid-1960s ad campaign.
Next came a stint as "Mr. Finance Giant" at C&L Motor . . . — — Map (db m293709) HM
On Southwest Arch Street at Southeast Vine Street (County Route 25), on the right when traveling south on Southwest Arch Street. Reported unreadable.
"Reisch Beer will Give You Health and Strength" - or so claimed the original "Reisch Beer" mural still faintly visible on the second story, opposite side, of this building. Franz Reisch erected the building in 1894 as an outlet for the product of . . . — — Map (db m160822) HM
What Did a Farmer Do at the Scale House?
If you were a farmer delivering a load of grain here at my elevator, the scale house would be the first stop upon your arrival. This is where I would weigh your wagon with its load of grain so I . . . — — Map (db m163158) HM
On Southwest Arch Street (Old U.S. 66) at Southeast Vine Street, on the right when traveling north on Southwest Arch Street.
This Eagle was carved during the Fall Festival on September 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001, to honor our First Responders. — — Map (db m266932) HM
On Southeast Vine Street at Southwest Arch Street (Old U.S. 66), on the right when traveling west on Southeast Vine Street.
The resemblance to Alfred E. Newman of Mad Magazine fame notwithstanding, International Fiberglass called these figures its Mortimer Snerd line of giants - a reference to famed ventriloquist, Edgar Bergan's, Mortimer Snerd dummy. Others . . . — — Map (db m266928) HM
On Southwest Arch Street near Southeast Vine Street, on the right when traveling north.
This International Fiberglass giant started his journey in Delmar, MD where he advertised Viking Kitchen Carpet atop a store there. Sometime in the 1970s he was moved to Crisfield, MD where his new owner turned him into a Viking/Pirate by . . . — — Map (db m293719) HM
Welcome
I'm John Hardin Hawes and I built this grain elevator back in 1904. It's sixty feet tall, was in business for nearly 75 years, and is one of the few wooden grain elevators still standing in the United States. These days we aren't in . . . — — Map (db m163151) HM
Near South East Race Street at SW Arch Street. Reported missing.
As a respite for Rt. 66 travelers and other visitors, the City of Atlanta invites you to relax and enjoy the Atlanta Route 66 Park.
This Information Booth is here to provide you with information about sites to see and things to do in . . . — — Map (db m162544) HM
Atlanta boomed when Route 66 was built in the 1920s.
It didn't last. By 1947 the busy road was rebuilt to bypass town to the east. New businesses flourished on the bypass only to fail again when I-55 replaced the Mother Road in 1977. . . . — — Map (db m162545) HM
On Northwest Vine Street at SW Arch Street, on the right when traveling east on Northwest Vine Street.
Political parties in 1860 often served as social clubs, as well as electoral organizations. One such group established to support Abraham Lincoln was the "Wide Awakes" - a chapter of which was formed in Atlanta, Illinois on June 22, 1860, . . . — — Map (db m160708) HM
On Southwest Arch Street at Northwest Vine Street on Southwest Arch Street.
In the 1920s the place in Atlanta for a cool ice cream soda, a fresh cigar, or a "fancy" candy treat was the Wisteria Café & Confectionary. Using original advertising copy from The Atlanta Argus, Nancy Bennett of Centerville, Iowa designed the . . . — — Map (db m160821) HM
