Springfield, Illinois MASS PASS
by deecat
I found the MASS PASS to be a very unique way to remember my visit to Springfield, Illinois, and the many museums and historic sites that this lovely city has to offer.
If you go to the Visitor's Bureau, ask for a MASS PASS. You will receive a small booklet [see photograph #1].
This booklet lists several important sites which you will no doubt visit. A picture and an explanation of that site is printed on the page along with questions to check if you gained what you should have from your visit.
Once you reach a site, ask to have your "passport" stamped. Each site has its own unique stamp or sticker. The point is to try to collect as many as possible.
You have to keep reminding yourself to have it stamped. For the Old State House, I forgot so I went back the next day, and they gladly accommodated me. There is a spot in the passport to personalize it. You fill out your name and address plus add a photo of yourself or your group/family.
This passport serves as a visual reminder of the adventures that you experienced. It also serves as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. I had so much fun seeing each different stamp [see photo #2 concerning Shea's Gas Station Museum].
Don't Miss Shea's Gas Station Museum
by deecat
One of the most fun activities that we experienced while in Springfield was to stop by the Shea's Gas Station Museum. Be warned that there is room for only about two cars at a time, and it is not easy to get in and out of. Nevertheless, it's worth any and all efforts that it takes to see and "hear" about Route 66 and the Shea's eclectic collection over four generations.
Be sure and check out my travelogue about the Shea's Gas Station Museum
It was a thrill to meet two generations of the Shea's: Father and owner, Bill Shea who has spent over 50 years of his life alongside Route 66. I talked to him briefly, and he showed me photographs of him in various national media as well as many of his artifacts.
Just talking to him was better than any of his wonderful collection pieces. Bill is in his eighties and implies that he might retire and work only 1/2 time when he turns 90; however his son Bill says that he will believe it when he sees it!
Most of our time was spent with the son Bill who was gracious enough to show us the multitudes of "things" that his father has collected such as red petrol pumps, father Bill's original Texaco uniform, items with Texaco or Marathon on them. There are two stations here.
The newer one is a former Marathon Station, and since my father worked for Ohio Oil Company [now called Marathon Oil Company], I was most interested.
Father Bill usually sits on the back seat of an old Chevy talking about his collection and recollections to anyone whose interested, and there are plenty of people who are interested.
Son Bill's children are also involved in this endeavor, and when school is not in session, you'll see them here also. We signed their famed "guest book" and saw that there are people from all over the United States as well as Ireland, China, and Australia, to name a few.
We paid $2.00 each to experience America's Route 66 and to see a legend in the making. Wow, what a delight it was to actually talk with, to touch, and to see real history.
Cass County Courthouse
by zrim
At least I think it is the Cass County Courthouse located in Virginia, Illinois. My memory is a little hazy on this point. It could also be the Menard County Courthouse located in Petersburg, Illinois.
Union Station - Visitor's Center
by Sunshine64
The Visitor's Center for the Lincoln Museum is located in the restored Union Station. This beautiful old train station originally opened in 1898, and passenger train service ended in 1971.
The beautiful clock tower was restored in 2006. It had been removed in 1946.
Union Square is located behind the train station, across the street from the museum.
Buy your tickets for the Lincoln Museum and Library here.
ROUTE 66 : Tip 14 - Abe finally stops moving about
by sourbugger
"Well there's no doubt that a big monument and one million visitors expresses what Americans think about honest Abe"
"He had a bit of an odd relationship with death you know.."
"How come ?"
"Well he exhumed his own sons body twice to have a good look, and when his own death came he was moved for various reasons some seventeen times until the tons of concrete in that thing made sure he didn't move again"
"How are sure it's him in there then ?"
"Well, the exumed him at the turn of the 19th / 20th Century so various people could have a good look. It's said that his feature were very much in tact, like it was a statue of himself. Oh, and there was an almighty stench"
"Anything else, O wise one ?"
"Well somebody tried to kidnap him !"
"What when he was already dead ?"
"Yep, it's amazing the schemes some people dream up"
"You can say that again"
"Yep, its amazing the schemes..."
Sign in with Facebook
Lincoln Museum - Springfield, IL
Old Drive-In Speakers
Bar at The Glob Restaurant
Horse inside "split-rail" Fencing
