The Route 66 Association of Illinois has announced its 2010 inductees into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame. I have served several years on the Hall of Fame committee, (but not currently), so I know that the work of the committee is interesting and rewarding when deserving recipients are honored thanks to your efforts. It can also be contentious and difficult.
So, with this insider knowledge of how difficult and also rewarding the process can be, I have to applaud the current Hall of Fame committee for a strong and well-deserving group of inductees. The committee did a great service to the Illinois Association, the Hall of Fame, and to helping to preserve and protect the Route 66 historic legacy.
The details of the inductees are well documented on the Illinois Route 66 Association website. 817 Hillsboro in Edwardsville, known for years as Halley’s Cash and Carry Market; Lewis A. Barrick, founder Barrick Transfer & Beverage Co. in Lincoln, IL; the Deck Family of Girard and their Deck’s Drug Store and Museum; Snuffy’s Grill in McCook; and the Ambassador award to Bob Waldmire–all excellent choices.
Route 66 was always most importantly a vehicle for spreading commerce along the corridor through which it passed. If the highway failed to so spread commerce, it would not have been worth the cost in taxpayer money spent to finance the hard road’s construction. All of the Hall of Fame inductees are examples of the success of Route 66 in spreading commerce, from the business owners, to the bricks and mortar of businesses, to places still going strong (such as Snuffy’s), and to an artist who literally made his living on the road.
A hearty round of applause for the Illinois Hall of Fame committee! Job well done!
