Lunch at the Oilfield….

June 14, 2011

Oilfield Illinois

About 4 miles north of I-70′s Exit 129 (Casey) in the middle of, well, an oilfield, is Oilfield.  Built in 1866, the building served as a one room school house, known as ‘Butternut School’ until around 1963, when it was converted into a general store. The location operated as a general store for many years, serving as both supply depot and gathering spot for the locals, by various owners until closing in 1986. It was reopened in 2001 after sitting dormant for some 15 years to be exclusively a restaurant. The current owners have had it since 2009.

1866 era building still stands

The building is a delightful old structure full of friendly folks and good smells. Oilfield and vintage memorabilia line the walls and the signage is at once, historical and whimsical. Seating is family style with a set of large tables along one wall along with several smaller tables scattered about. The best spot in the house however, is not in the house. Outside under a canopy are a row of picnic tables for those wishing to get some fresh air with their meal. The menu is of cheeseburgers, fries and onion rings with home-made pie readily available, all of which is very good!
It’s wonderful that small businesses like these survive in the heartland, and a testament to the determination and love that the owners put into them day in and day out. One can see and hear from the guests that they’re at home there…..and at home you’ll feel too.

Small town charm

When you’re traveling down I-70, make it a point to take a 4 mile detour north and enjoy Oilfield!

Locate on the Map

Additional and larger images

-Ed Baumgarten

Leave a Comment » | Central Illinois, Ed Baumgarten, Food & Drink, Offbeat Illinois, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by edbaumgarten

A classic red covered bridge Illinois, reborn…..

June 9, 2011
Wolf Covered Bridge

Wolf Covered Bridge in Knox County

Nestled in a little river valley in Knox county is a modern treasure with historical flare. The Wolf Covered Bridge, sits in an almost hidden in a river crossing in a deep in a valley, just 10 miles south east of Knoxville, IL. Crossing the Spoon river, the original was built in the 1840′s as an open deck bridge until a cover was built for it in 1874. The structure saw it’s share of foot, horse, wagon and eventually motorized traffic for some 150 years before succumbing to arson in 1994.

The fire 1994 c.The Register-Mail

The timbers inside the bridge.

Luckily, the state saw the historical significance in the bridge, and instead of replacing it with iron and concrete, constructed the wonderful reproduction, as true to the original as possible, seen today. The new bridge was dedicated in 1999. The bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places as a significant structure relating to transportation.

There are several ways to get to the bridge, I took exit 54 off of I-74 to Hwy150 East, south on Knox County Rd 12 to Knox County Rd 17 which crosses the bridge. Drive slow and enjoy the countryside around the bridge, it’s very pretty country.

See Additional and Larger images

Locate on map

- Ed Baumgarten

1 Comment | Ed Baumgarten, Illinois History, Northern Illinois | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by edbaumgarten

The Ballard Nature Center

February 23, 2011

The Ballard Nature Center

With a glimpse of spring in the air check out the Ballard Nature Center, just east of Altamont, IL. It  is a privately funded, non-profit, 210 acre nature conservatory whose mission is to provide high quality environmental education to the public. The center has six miles of trails including wetland, woodland, prairie and savanna environments. There’s a spacious visitor center at near the parking lot with wonderful displays inside describing local flora and fauna and their habitats. There’s also a children’s center with puzzles, games and activities for the youngest of adventurers. There’s a large lower story where classes are held and the area can also be rented for various functions. Schools can arrange for field trips to the center and each summer nature day camps are held for children, as well as families.
Where the center really shines is in it’s trails. With the various types of trails available, whether it’s a stroll through the woods, or a walk through the prairie as it was when the first settlers crossed Illinois, a person could come back time and time again and experience something completely different. There are benches in strategic resting spots along the trails and the wetland/prairie loop trail is completely handicap accessible. There’s also a kids fishing pond available for children under 15.
The visitors center is open 8:00 – 4:00 Monday through Friday, Noon-4:00 on Saturday and 1:00-4:00 on Sunday and is staffed by educators during those hours. The trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Additional and larger images

Locate on Map

-Ed Baumgarten

Leave a Comment » | Adventure/Outdoor Illinois, Central Illinois, Ed Baumgarten, Family Fun, Seasonal Fun - Spring, Southern Illinois, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by edbaumgarten

The FIRST Interstate…..

January 26, 2011

When was the first federally funded interstate constructed?? Not the one we know today…..the first one?…….  1806 !! Yup, before the Eisenhower Interstate system there was, that’s right, the Washington interstate system (yes, ‘THE’ George Washington….). Although it wasn’t called that, George Washington did have plans to construct a federally funded road, from Maryland to carry settlers to the edge of the frontier, and in 1806, Congress allocated funds for the project. Some know it as the Cumberland road, taking it’s name from it’s origin point, Cumberland, Maryland, but most know it as the National Road. This interstate corridor ran from Cumberland, Maryland, all the way to Illinois’s own city of Vandalia.

A timber used in construction of the National Road

The National Road brought thousands of settlers to the frontier, and although funding stopped for the road at Vandalia, the road eventually stretched all the way to St. Louis, being the major crossing point over the Mississippi. The current Illinois Rt.40 pretty much follows the path of the original road and many remnants of the old road can be found traveling the Rt40 corridor.
The city of Vandalia is pretty proud of it’s heritage as being the destination for so many travelers for hundreds of years, and they’ve established the National Road Interpretive Center there. Housing relics of life on the road in the earliest days of our nation, this hub of information exists to serve tourists, historians and anyone else wishing to better understand this important time in Illinois’ history.
The Center will be celebrating it’s one year anniversary on February 12th, 2011 with an open house, featuring an authentic conestoga wagon, the ‘semi-trailer’ of the early road. These giant prairie schooners ferried materials, goods and man power from the east coast to the heart of the nation, helping to build the Nation as we know it today.
Stop by the center and say hello if you’re traveling in the area, or plan a day trip to Vandalia, the States first Capitol, and all the Illinois history it has to share!

Find on Map

-Ed Baumgarten

Leave a Comment » | Adventure/Outdoor Illinois, Central Illinois, Ed Baumgarten, Illinois History, Southern Illinois, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by edbaumgarten

« Previous Entries