Hello Everyone,
I know it’s been awhile since I posted about Driving and Geocaching Route 66 and I apologize about that. The holiday season is super busy for me and now that it’s over, time to get back to the keyboard and start typing.
In my last blog, Brace Yourself, I talked about the Riviera and that it burnt to the ground in 2010. If you haven't read this last blog, you might want to before you continue to read this entry since there is a connection.
The next town down from Bracevile is Gardner, Illinois where there is a special park that has a geocache and some special artifacts of Route 66.
One monument that they have in the park is dedicated to Gardner's veterans, past and present, that have served our country. God bless you all.
Nearby, the geocache in the park is Do Not Pass Go (GC1Q1V0, placed by Team Quantumchaos, 17 favorite points). An easy enough find and the spot takes you near a 2-man cell jail. As you can imagine, it has a lot of photo opportunities here.
Don't have much history regarding the jail cells, but it is a fun place to take some pictures
There is also an old diner in the park and according to route66world.com, The Diner was “a restaurant that began as a horse drawn-streetcar operated by the Kankakee Transit System. It first was owned by George Kaldem. His mother and the cook, Minnie Springborn, was praised as the woman whose pies, stew, fried chicken and homemade bread were considered some of the finest that could be found anywhere.
Later, it was moved behind a residence and was used to house workers at the armory during World War II. Then it was moved to the rear of the Riviera Roadhouse, where it was used as a place for family reunion picnics, a house for local fishermen and a storage shed.
The Diner has never had toilet facilities or even running water. Water for cooking and washing equipment was carried in with containers supplied by local residents.”
The Diner was moved and dedicated at this park November 11th, 2011.
Regarding geocaching, there are 2 other non-route related caches in town, but I didn’t go for them.
In my next blog I’ll share a video, find a relic, and get pictures of an old gas station.
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I had the time of my life on Route 66, but don’t take my word for it, I encourage you to experience it for yourself. Use this blog as a guide.
Until next time,
Rich Havlik
