Sun shines on 9th Annual Mill Cruise-In, a Route 66 spot with a future

[September 16, 2015]  LINCOLN - The temps were perfect and the sun shining on Sunday, a perfect day for the 9th Annual Mill Cruise-In. Located at 738 S. Washington Street on Lincoln's south side, the Railsplitter Antique Auto Club once again hosted the Cruise-in.

The event attracted a wide array of classic autos including a Model A, a Roadster, restored cars of the 1950s, a Cadillac of such sublime blues inside and out it could be called "blue heaven," even a couple motorcycles. Hoods were up, and engines shined.

But the big attraction on this day was not all spit and polish. All eyes glued to the 1941 International Harvester when it pulled in a bit later than the start time. The dark green farm truck with flat bed, worn in all the right places lending an aesthetic appeal, actually looked like the authentic work horse it was made to be, but from more than half a century ago.

This event at the historic Route 66 Mill Restaurant was one of many that have inched the restoration of the structure back to a valued place in time.

The Mill is a Route 66 Hall of Fame site. The 1929 structure already serves as a pictorial stop for visitors traveling the Mother Road, and pending completion of several repairs and upgrades inside and outside, will become a Route 66 Museum stop also.

Members of the Illinois Route 66 Association also hosting this day included Geoff Ladd, Project Administrator for Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. Ladd spearheaded the project of saving the Mill just as it condemned as a public hazard and slated for demolition.

Ladd said, "The Railsplitter Antique Auto Club always gives us all the registration and 50/50 drawing revenue, and in over nine years that has added up to nearly $3000, and we thank them profusely!

"We are already planning special features for our 10th Anniversary Car Cruise-in next year, probably moving it back to October.

"Also, thanks to our fund-raising efforts this year, which were mainly spear-headed by our president, Bob Wilmert, we have raised nearly $6,000, and that should be enough, with volunteer labor, to finish the downstairs interior this fall."

Ladd hopes the site will be open next year finally as a museum - probably just a few days a week May-Sept.

He said, "Bob Wilmert has done a great job!

Donations are still needed to complete the project. Donors will be honored on a special display inside the museum. Memorials are also accepted.

The Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax deductible organization. You may contact Bob Wilmert at 217-732-8600 for donations or donate online at savethemill.org.

[Jan Youngquist]