October 14 - 328 miles - 33.1 mpg
Today we arrived in Springfield, Illinois, the state capital, a couple of hours after leaving St. Louis and spent all afternoon there. Of the several Frank Lloyd Wright houses open to the public that we intend to see on this trip, this is the first one. Couldn't ask for a better start.
Built in 1902-1904 - one his first major Prairie-style houses; 12,800 sq ft home with over 250 art glass doors & windows. It's considered the best-preserved, most original - both structure and furnishings - example of Frank Lloyd Wright's houses.
The Master.
Wright's rendering of the house by his own hand.
The society matron who commissioned the house told him to spend as much as he wanted - same as the military tells its contractors.
Not apparent from the outside, all of the glass is stained glass, with various motifs. All glass, all furniture, all fixtures, the house itself, naturally, all designed by Wright. Soup to nuts.
The front entrance through which passed thousands of Mrs. Dana's high society guests. She entertained continually.
Pamela, what is it about "no photos" inside that you do not understand?
Our docent pointed out that this tree was not part of his plan - planted years later for shade.
Yes, Route 66 ran/runs smack dab through Springfield, which is not far from its origin point in Chicago. This will be our last contact with Route 66 until we travel a 100 mile stretch of it between Oklahoma City and Amarillo, Texas next month.
Cozy Dog Drive-in, on legendary Route 66, claims to have invented the corn dog. We read about the cafe in one of our travel books so decided that's where we should have lunch. Seems all the locals hang out here probably to see what the tourist wind blows in. Their bean soup is indifferent and McDonalds still has the best French fries.
A lot of memorabilia was about their famous hot dogs.
Are you sure this bean soup is "home made"? And why is this soup spoon the size of a peanut?
The motto for Illinois is "The Land of Lincoln" and Springfield is ground zero. In order to rinse off some of the grime of the current state of political discourse in America we wanted to check out the late, great Abraham Lincoln.
The only home that Lincoln ever owned is right here in Springfield
We started our afternoon at the Lincoln Visitor Center and signed up for the house tour.
The house just as it looked in 1861, when newl
This was the casual family room in those days. Many of the furnishings, including the wallpaper are original. After Lincoln died the house went to his son, Robert, who rented it out. He later turned it over to the State of Illinois as a historical site.
The older son's bedroom. It didn't have wallpaper because no one but family would ever be in that part of the house.
This area used to be a porch. It was closed in as a sitting room adjacent to the living room. It was where Lincoln stood, next to the window on the left, and answered that he would think about it when offered the Presidential nomination by a group of Republican movers and shakers from Chicago. We were told that it wouldn't have been polite in those days to answer yes right away.
Next we headed to visit Lincoln's tomb to pay our respects to this great man. Three days after his assasination his body was back in Springfield and funds were already being raised for a magnificent final resting place. Napoleon's tomb may be more grandiose, but that's the French for you. He brought France to its knees by going down in ignominious defeat - twice. A generation of men died for his vanity. Lincoln marshaled the military and political forces and public will that saved a nation. You decide.
The nose is shiny from being rubbed by countless visitors. Bet you this is the first time it has been given a smooch. This one's for you, Abe.
Serene and peaceful.
Does this remind you of a certain Memorial?
R.I.P.
We arrived in Indianapolis at 9:40 pm after going through our third time zone change. In and out of Illinois in one day.
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