Today we started our Springfield IL exploration with a quick stop by the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The state fair is 13-23 Aug so there was not much going on their except a craft show or the like. We stopped here to see the Lincoln Lumberjack Statue.
This Fiberglas and steel statue features a 30 foot tall depiction of a young, clean-shaven Abe Lincoln with an axe in his hands as a rail-splitter. It was built in 1966 by a local Springfield artist and sign painter to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Illinois' statehood. So now you know!
From the fairgrounds we drove a short distance to the Oak Ridge Cemetery to visit the Lincoln Monument and Tomb. The monument is 117-foot tall and serves as the final resting place for Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons. Designed by sculptor Larkin Mead and dedicated in 1874, the monument features a soaring obelisk and four bronze statues representing the infantry, navy, artillery, and cavalry of the Civil War. At the entrance stands a famous bronze bust of Lincoln; it has become a popular tradition for visitors to rub the statue's nose for good luck.
We were fortunate to have a group of very polite middle schoolers from a Chicago Christian school. We were encouraged to join them and received some very informative facts from a National Park Service Ranger. He first guided us through the tomb at the base of the monument.
Large group of students
Inside, a series of marble corridors lead to the burial chamber, where a red memorial marker stands above the spot where Lincoln is buried 10 feet below ground in a steel-reinforced vault—a measure taken in 1901 to protect his remains following an attempted theft in 1876.
Tombs of wife Mary, and sons Eddie, Willie and Thomas
Lincoln's Tomb
On the way out we took note of the beautiful structure that served as the Custodian's Residence for the Tomb. It was built in 1874 and it was used as such until 1975 when the State of Illinois reorganized the administration of the historical site. It is now used for administrative purposes.
From the cemetery we drove through town towards the State Capitol where the Illinois State Museum is located. There was a marked presence of law enforcement in the Capitol complex, but we did not yet know why. We found a nice large lot to park the big ol' brown truck just a block from the museum and we made our way there. 
Inside we were greeted by pleasant staff who directed us around another group of students into the first level of the museum. This museum was originally founded in 1877 as a cabinet or geological specimens. It was moved into this 96,000 SF building in 1963 and is a premier institution dedicated to preserving the state's natural, cultural, and artistic heritage.
The first floor includes awesome natural history dioramas and science displays dating back 500 million years of Illinois history. There are extensive collections of fossils, rocks, and native animals.
The second floor focuses on Anthropology and Art, including a display of Native American culture. People of the Past and At Home in the Heartland are two sections of displays.
After lunch we headed to the museum part of the building, and again, it was full of automobile and motorcycle parts and memorabilia. 
Not to dwell on this, but it is important that folks, especially our younger crowd, understand the significance of Route 66. It was pre-Interstate highways - 1926. It was one of the nation's original federal highways, stretching over 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. It served as a vital artery for "Dust Bowl" refugees seeking a better life in the 1930s and later became the ultimate backdrop for the great American family road trip during the post-World War II boom. When I grew up there was even a (black & white) TV show called "Route 66" - featuring two guys and a Corvette! "Get Your Kicks on Route 66!" Have a listen to the theme song (if it will play without breaking copyright laws): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw1tiNGQ4wI
An interesting display on how the Indiana Sand Dunes were formed
The second floor focuses on Anthropology and Art, including a display of Native American culture. People of the Past and At Home in the Heartland are two sections of displays.
We wrapped up our visit to the museum and headed towards the Illinois State Capitol. We had not planned to visit there, and had I known I would have deposited my pocket knife in the truck before leaving it. So we strolled around outside and asked at the entrance but the magnetometers were a give-away! We did not try!
As we cruised the Capitol grounds, like I said before, the law enforcement presence was pronounced. I also took note of their flags at half staff and I wanted to make sure I was not flying mine improperly at home, so I checked my phone. Today was the 2026 Illinois Police Officers Memorial Ceremony on the west lawn of the Capitol. The flags are flying at half staff to honor Chicago Police Officer John G. Bartholomew, who was killed in the line of duty on April 25. May he rest in eternal peace.
Our last stop for today coincided with lunch, and that was at the Route 66 Motorhead's Bar, Grill & Museum, which is a cornerstone of Springfield’s "Mother Road" heritage. It is housed in a 15,000-square-foot building that originally served as a Stuckey’s gas station built in 1971. They even sell Stuckey's candies in the gift shop (hope they are not that old!!) After the site fell into disrepair and faced condemnation, it was rescued and painstakingly renovated, opening in June 2018 as a combined restaurant and museum. Its significance lies in its role as a living archive; the interior is filled with salvaged artifacts from defunct local landmarks, such as the original neon sign from Sonrise Donuts and a replica facade of the legendary Shea’s Gas Station Museum. Today, it serves as a central hub for Route 66 enthusiasts and racing fans, notably adding the 20-foot-tall "Big Ron" Muffler Man statue in 2024 to welcome travelers exploring the historic corridor.
Since it was lunch time we decided to go inside, and it did not disappoint. There is automobile memorabilia on every wall.
We both chose to eat the lunch buffet and today it was crispy fried chicken and Salisbury steak, with salad and all the fixin's.
The gift shop was full of Route 66 t-shirts and other souvenirs. The place was hopping with tourists stopping by on their Route 66 100th anniversary pilgrimage. It would be fun to drive the entire route from end to end as thousands will do this summer. We have traveled many parts of it in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois, but not in it's entirety.
Side view (looking north)of the Capitol
Front view (looking west)
Inside the front door with stereo metal detectors waiting for me!
As we cruised the Capitol grounds, like I said before, the law enforcement presence was pronounced. I also took note of their flags at half staff and I wanted to make sure I was not flying mine improperly at home, so I checked my phone. Today was the 2026 Illinois Police Officers Memorial Ceremony on the west lawn of the Capitol. The flags are flying at half staff to honor Chicago Police Officer John G. Bartholomew, who was killed in the line of duty on April 25. May he rest in eternal peace.
The firefighter memorial
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Ceremony
Our last stop for today coincided with lunch, and that was at the Route 66 Motorhead's Bar, Grill & Museum, which is a cornerstone of Springfield’s "Mother Road" heritage. It is housed in a 15,000-square-foot building that originally served as a Stuckey’s gas station built in 1971. They even sell Stuckey's candies in the gift shop (hope they are not that old!!) After the site fell into disrepair and faced condemnation, it was rescued and painstakingly renovated, opening in June 2018 as a combined restaurant and museum. Its significance lies in its role as a living archive; the interior is filled with salvaged artifacts from defunct local landmarks, such as the original neon sign from Sonrise Donuts and a replica facade of the legendary Shea’s Gas Station Museum. Today, it serves as a central hub for Route 66 enthusiasts and racing fans, notably adding the 20-foot-tall "Big Ron" Muffler Man statue in 2024 to welcome travelers exploring the historic corridor.
Since it was lunch time we decided to go inside, and it did not disappoint. There is automobile memorabilia on every wall.
We both chose to eat the lunch buffet and today it was crispy fried chicken and Salisbury steak, with salad and all the fixin's.
The gift shop was full of Route 66 t-shirts and other souvenirs. The place was hopping with tourists stopping by on their Route 66 100th anniversary pilgrimage. It would be fun to drive the entire route from end to end as thousands will do this summer. We have traveled many parts of it in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois, but not in it's entirety.
Beyond its functional role, the highway birthed a unique culture of neon-lit diners, quirky roadside attractions, and family-owned motels that defined the "Golden Age" of travel. Today, it remains a global pilgrimage site for those looking to experience the nostalgic spirit of a pre-interstate era and the small-town heart of the United States. Thankfully some of this great highway and the motels, diners and other parts of that culture have been preserved. Happy 100th birthday, Route 66!
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