
Route 66: Dixie Truckers Home
Posted by:
Special.Ed
N 40° 18.636 W 089° 10.035
16T E 315837 N 4464485
Located along Rt.66 in McLean right off of I-55.
Waymark Code: WM1A6T
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 03/11/2007
Views: 86
The truck stop began as a mechanic’s garage, that also sold sandwiches to passing motorists by J.P. Walters and John Geske almost 80 years ago. Starting with little more than a counter and six stools, it quickly gained popularity and by the mid 1930's had developed into a full-fledged restaurant complete with cabins in the back.
The Dixie Truck Stop in McLean, Illinois has been
operating since 1928, September, 2004, Kathy Weiser.
Not only popular to travelers, Dixie’s also brought in hundreds of area locals who enjoyed the live entertainment and music on the weekends. However, when World War II began, the festive weekends came to a screeching halt.
However, the restaurant and gas station continued to serve travelers by four generations of the Geske family until June of 2003. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, it never closed except one day when it suffered a fire in 1965.
The Dixie Truckers Home has since changed hands and has an updated look, but still continues to stand along Route 66 serving the truckers and travelers of the Mother Road.