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 Southwest Arch Street at Northwest Race Street, on the right when traveling north on Southwest Arch Street.
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 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 (County Route 25), on the right when traveling south on Southwest Arch Street.
"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
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, with . . . — — 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
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
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
On Race Street at SW Arch Street, on the left when traveling north on 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
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
On Southwest Arch Street south of SE Vine Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
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 Atlanta . . . — — 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
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
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
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
On SW Arch Street at South East Race Street, on the right when traveling south on SW Arch Street.
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
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 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
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
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
