Route 66 in Normal
Normal is in central Illinois at a major junction of highways and railroads. By the 1930s, Normal and its adjoining city, Bloomington, boasted a major employer, the railroads, as well as two universities, Illinois State Normal University and Illinois Wesleyan University, as well as the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ School. Most people passing through Normal-Bloomington from north or south, traveled Pine Street.
305 Pine Street:
William W. Sprague’s construction of the two-story Tudor Revival building at 305 E. Pine Street was in response to a perceived need that travel along Route 66 would create. His original building catered to both local and travelers’ needs: food, gasoline, and car repair. Additionally, providing on-site housing for himself and a gas station attendant meant that the needs of travelers and locals could be met while keeping down the costs of housing.
Sprague’s carpentry skill is evident in the fact that the building is intact after nearly 90 years. Fortunately for the historic condition, not much money was spent in making alterations over the years, and repairs that were made were clumsy and perfunctory. As a result, many original features are clearly present in the building ; undoing the repairs will not be as costly as undoing major alterations would be.
Entrepreneurs such as William W. Sprague provided services along Route 66 for those who passed through Bloomington-Normal. It was no coincidence that he built his place of business/residence on Pine Street. Others who followed him in buying and/or leasing the building had the same vision. From 1938-41, Joseph E. Ruzic operated the gas station and restaurant. The fact that it sat vacant for a few years was probably a reflection of the unavailability of gasoline and/or repair parts. Additionally, the Beltline was completed around Bloomington-Normal, moving traffic around the two cities. This changed the Pine Street designation to "Business 66." Beginning in 1946 or so the building was operated by a series of owners, who, in addition to running a gas station and restaurant, rented space for the manufacture of agricultural implements, storage of insulation, a welding operation, a cab company, and a rent-a-car system, among other businesses. Beginning in 1951, Olin W. Hetzler, his wife, Helen, and their son, James lived at 305 Pine Street, operating the Cities Service Oil Company, while renting space to Joe’s Welding and Boiler Company, and Corn Belt Manufacturing Company, as well as operating the Yellow Cab Company and the Avis Rent-a-Car System
By the late 1950s, Interstate 55 began supplanting Route 66 in Illinois. The Beltline (now called Veteran’s Parkway) was built around Bloomington-Normal and businesses quickly opened up to serve this new traveling route. Enough traffic still took Business 66 route into Normal so that the station would remain open, although it would change hands many times, with each new owner seeking diverse business opportunities.
From 1959-62, the station was run by Eber Sloan, who ran it as Sloan’s Cities Service, until 1963, when it became Sloan’s Texaco for a year. Russell Lusher operated a Zephyr station along with Irene’s Café in 1964. Jerry Fish operated the gas station in 1965, while Grady W. Roberson operated the restaurant. In 1966, Grady W. Roberson and his wife, Catherine, took over both the gas station and restaurant and ran them until 1971. The gas station was a Zephyr in 1966, becoming a Gulf station in 1967 until the gas tanks were removed in 1973. By 1976, Beverly Hodge was utilizing 305 E. Pine Street for a bridal store, cake gallery, and catering operation. She rented the garages and storage areas to various people and rented the upstairs as both meeting space and apartments. She sold the building in 2006 to Terri Ryburn.
305 Pine Street:
William W. Sprague’s construction of the two-story Tudor Revival building at 305 E. Pine Street was in response to a perceived need that travel along Route 66 would create. His original building catered to both local and travelers’ needs: food, gasoline, and car repair. Additionally, providing on-site housing for himself and a gas station attendant meant that the needs of travelers and locals could be met while keeping down the costs of housing.
Sprague’s carpentry skill is evident in the fact that the building is intact after nearly 90 years. Fortunately for the historic condition, not much money was spent in making alterations over the years, and repairs that were made were clumsy and perfunctory. As a result, many original features are clearly present in the building ; undoing the repairs will not be as costly as undoing major alterations would be.
Entrepreneurs such as William W. Sprague provided services along Route 66 for those who passed through Bloomington-Normal. It was no coincidence that he built his place of business/residence on Pine Street. Others who followed him in buying and/or leasing the building had the same vision. From 1938-41, Joseph E. Ruzic operated the gas station and restaurant. The fact that it sat vacant for a few years was probably a reflection of the unavailability of gasoline and/or repair parts. Additionally, the Beltline was completed around Bloomington-Normal, moving traffic around the two cities. This changed the Pine Street designation to "Business 66." Beginning in 1946 or so the building was operated by a series of owners, who, in addition to running a gas station and restaurant, rented space for the manufacture of agricultural implements, storage of insulation, a welding operation, a cab company, and a rent-a-car system, among other businesses. Beginning in 1951, Olin W. Hetzler, his wife, Helen, and their son, James lived at 305 Pine Street, operating the Cities Service Oil Company, while renting space to Joe’s Welding and Boiler Company, and Corn Belt Manufacturing Company, as well as operating the Yellow Cab Company and the Avis Rent-a-Car System
By the late 1950s, Interstate 55 began supplanting Route 66 in Illinois. The Beltline (now called Veteran’s Parkway) was built around Bloomington-Normal and businesses quickly opened up to serve this new traveling route. Enough traffic still took Business 66 route into Normal so that the station would remain open, although it would change hands many times, with each new owner seeking diverse business opportunities.
From 1959-62, the station was run by Eber Sloan, who ran it as Sloan’s Cities Service, until 1963, when it became Sloan’s Texaco for a year. Russell Lusher operated a Zephyr station along with Irene’s Café in 1964. Jerry Fish operated the gas station in 1965, while Grady W. Roberson operated the restaurant. In 1966, Grady W. Roberson and his wife, Catherine, took over both the gas station and restaurant and ran them until 1971. The gas station was a Zephyr in 1966, becoming a Gulf station in 1967 until the gas tanks were removed in 1973. By 1976, Beverly Hodge was utilizing 305 E. Pine Street for a bridal store, cake gallery, and catering operation. She rented the garages and storage areas to various people and rented the upstairs as both meeting space and apartments. She sold the building in 2006 to Terri Ryburn.
This photo is from 1950, prior to the Ryburn family's move to California. Photo (L to R) Raymond, Sr., Terri, Vic, Dave, and Raymond, Jr.
Click to see larger image.
