The Mill on 66 to celebrate 88th birthday on Tuesday
Earth Patrol UFO spaceship will be on display
Creator of the world’s largest covered wagon will be special guest

[July 24, 2017]   LINCOLN - On July 25th, 1929 The Mill officially opened as The Blue Mill, and was painted white with blue trim. The original owner, Paul Coddington, opened the iconic building as a sandwich stand.

On opening day, the children of the manager dressed up in Dutch outfits and handed out roses to all who visited.

Eighty-Eight years later, The Mill on 66 is enjoying its first year in operation as a restored historic structure and a Route 66 museum. The mill will be open extended hours on Tuesday, July 25th (1pm-7pm), so that visitors can stop by and wish The Mill a Happy Birthday!

Making a one-time appearance in Lincoln that day at The Mill is an Earth Patrol Route 66 Spaceship, the USS 66 EPV Earth Patrol Vehicle, that was designed and built by David Bentley. Bentley is the creator of the Railsplitter Covered Wagon, which holds The Guinness World Record as the World’s Largest Covered Wagon, and was named as a Top Roadside Attraction by Reader’s Digest Magazine.

“In 2007, as director of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, I worked with David Bentley to relocate the world’s largest covered wagon to Lincoln from Divernon.

"Local philanthropist Larry Van Bibber came up with the funds to purchase and move the wagon to its new permanent home in the city. It was an honor to be a part of bringing the wagon here,” said Geoff Ladd, who is now the assistant director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. “I am pleased to announce that David is bringing his Route 66 spaceship attraction to The Mill for our special birthday celebration.”

The USS 66 EPV (Earth Patrol Vehicle) Route 66 Spaceship is a large interactive traveling display that will be set up at The Mill that day. A special face cutout gives kids and adults the opportunity to have a picture with their smiling face in the control room of the ship. Mr. Bentley will be on hand for his first- ever public appearance in Lincoln, and will be signing Railsplitter Covered Wagon postcards that day as well.

[Geoff Ladd
Assistant Director
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway]