Brian Huffman, who
owns and operates Hallie's, is the great-grandson of Blossom
Huffman. Blossom once owned and operated The Mill restaurant, a
Route 66 establishment known as "the home of the schnitzel."
Deborah Senger of Timeless Presentations -- in the persona of
Blossom -- will host the anniversary party. She will share stories
and folklore of The Mill, the Huffman family and Route 66.
The Mill opened on Stringer Avenue in Lincoln in 1929, under the
name of the Blue Mill. Proprietor Paul Coddington served patrons
grilled sandwiches at any hour of the day or night. A Dutch-themed
building with blue trim, The Mill featured a revolving windmill and
waitresses dressed in blue with white aprons.
In 1945, Albert and Blossom Huffman purchased the building, added
a barroom and dance hall, and then painted the building barn red.
Over the years, the restaurant became famous for its fried
schnitzel, originally made of veal and later of pork.
By the mid-1980s, the Mill had lost most of its Dutch-themed
interior. Besides the fame of its schnitzel sandwiches and sauce, it
was championed as a museum of strange objects, including a
mechanical leg that protruded from a hole in the ceiling.
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The Mill, which closed in 1996, is now under renovation by the
Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County as a Route 66 museum
and tourist stop.
The famed schnitzel sandwiches, still made from Blossom's recipe,
can be purchased at Hallie's, 111 S. Sangamon St.
Saturday's celebration is co-sponsored by Hallie's, Main Street
Lincoln, the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County and
Timeless Presentations.
Timeless Presentations has entertained Logan County residents
over the past two years during paranormal investigations at The
Mill, Ghost Walks along the Route 66 Ghost Bridge and through
Coonhound Johnny and Blossom Huffman portrayals.
[Text from file received from
Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of
Logan County]
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