Miller’s Pub, a Chicago institution since 1935, became a popular spot for Route 66 travelers at its location near Adams and Wabash. It was purchased in 1952 and moved around the corner to 134 S. Wabash in 1989. Traditional atmosphere, excellent service, and the great food. The menu features a large selection of sandwiches, salads, and burgers. They are known for their BBQ ribs. The rooms are decorated with autographed photos from many of the celebrities, from Frank Sinatra to Marilyn Monroe, who have dined there over the years.

The Berghoff Restaurant opened in 1898, after Herman Berghoff”s beer stand at the 1893 World’s Fair became very popular. It first offered free sandwiches with the purchase of a nickel beer. During prohibition, it became known for its authentic German food. When Prohibition was lifted, Herman was able to procure the city’s first ever liquor license, opening up The Berghoff Bar while still running the restaurant. The building is located at 17 W. Adams St. which is on Route 66. Not only was it a popular establishment for locals, but it was also a favorite destination for Route 66 travelers.

Built in 1949, Lou Mitchell’s is located at 565 West Jackson Boulevard, a few blocks west of Lake Michigan and the eastern terminus of Route 66. To enjoy the full impact of this restaurant’s facade tucked snugly between two taller buildings, view it at a distance from across the street. Visitors immediately focus on the original aluminum and glass storefront. Rising up from the upper front facade and extending the entire length of the building is the eye catching, original 1949 neon sign that proudly states “Lou Mitchell’s Serving the World’s Best Coffee.” Another original sign, this one extolling the restaurant’s handmade bakery goods, is still hanging on the front facade. Aside from timely upgrades of the kitchen and bathrooms, the interior of Lou Mitchell’s has not been significantly altered since 1949. The dining room retains its original black and white terrazzo flooring, and most of the dining and counter areas are unchanged. The booths have their original wood tables, coat racks, and seats, although the seats sport new upholstery. The multi-sided counters with individual stools are original but have newer laminated surfaces and upholstery. Much of the wood and formica wall paneling dates to 1949. All in all, the stylistic choices made in 1949 point not backward but to the future, to the 1950s. The restaurant’s intense presentation of neon, shining glass, and sleek aluminum truly place this historic eatery in Route 66’s classic Golden Age.

“A fire tore through a historic textile factory in North Lawndale on Friday night, raising concerns of preservationists about the site’s planned demolition. “The fire started in the Western Felt Works building at 4155 W. Ogden Ave., according to reports from the Chicago Fire Department, which was on scene around 10:30 p.m. to control the blaze. “The cause of the blaze also remained unknown, but it raised concerns among local preservationists amid the site’s ongoing demolition. “The Western Felt Works building, which was built in 1916, is one of three industrial buildings near Ogden and Keeler avenues on the Endangered Buildings List compiled by Preservation Chicago, an organization committed to protecting historic structures across the city. "The buildings are undergoing demolition as part of a warehouse redevelopment project involving the Western Felt Works building and the two neighboring Turner Manufacturing Co. buildings at 4147-4151 W. Ogden Ave. “IDI Logistics, which is leading the project, plans to build a 246,200-square-foot warehouse in the site’s place.

Western Felt Works  Address: 4115 W. Ogden  Year: 1916  Architect: R.C. Fletcher  Style: Prairie School Turner Manufacturing Company  Address: 4147-4151 W. Ogden; 2 309-2325 S. Keeler  Year: 1918 – 1921  Architect: Alfred S. Alschuler Style: Prairie School and Classical Revival The Ogden Keeler Industrial Buildings are a collection of three historic manufacturing structures situated along West Ogden and South Keeler Avenues on the border of the Little Village and Lawndale Community Areas. The group of buildings were the former headquarters of two lucrative Chicago companies, Western Felt Works and the Turner Manufacturing Company, both of which found great success providing goods to the nation throughout the twentieth century. The buildings have retained a significant level of architectural integrity since they were built in the 1910s and 1920s, displaying characteristics emblematic of Chicago industrial design from this era. Most notably, the Turner Manufacturing Company buildings were designed by acclaimed Chicago architect Alfred S. Alschuler. However, these three structures are today threatened with demolition. Current owners seek to create a blocks-long logistics warehouse that will permanently alter the streetwall of this portion of Ogden Avenue, part of the original famed Route 66. Preservation Chicago urges the landmarking of these buildings and their reuse or incorporation into the proposed development. Alschuler is one of Chicago’s most important architects. Born in Chicago and educated at the Armour Institute of Technology (today, the Illinois Institute of Technology), he was trained in the offices of Dankmar Adler before eventually opening his own practice in 1907. Although the architect became largely known for grand designs like the London Guarantee Building (1922) and KAM Isaiah Israel (1924), Alschuler made a name for himself with his earlier solo commissions which were largely commercial or industrial buildings. His work in this realm is of particular note as Alschuler is regarded as the first Chicago architect to employ reinforced concrete construction in his designs. These buildings’ external expressions often reflected the powerful concrete structure found within, best exemplified by his Florsheim Shoe Company Building (1926) at 3963 W. Belmont. Threat The Ogden Keeler Industrial Buildings, along with multiple other neighboring structures, are currently threatened with demolition as part of a substantial warehouse redevelopment project that would extend along Ogden Avenue from Keeler Avenue to Pulaski Road. The proposal, led by IDI Logistics, envisions a 246,200 square foot structure on a nearly 15-acre site that would necessitate the demolition of long-standing buildings that have housed dozens of small, local businesses for decades. Recent community engagement meetings led by IDI Logistics have indicated that reuse of these structures—or even preservation of the facades and other significant architectural elements—is not a consideration at this time. Furthermore, environmental concerns about the demolition of these buildings, along with the environmental impact of a logistics warehouse that will surely bring increased trucking to this corridor are all additional factors that must be carefully considered. West Ogden Avenue was part of the iconic Route 66 journey in and out of Chicago. One of the joys of this legendary roadway has always been the variety of sites and architecture that dot its landscape. From motels to diners, industry to nature, Route 66 has always been a celebration of America’s finest places. The Ogden Keeler Industrial Buildings and their innovative manufacturing histories are part of that legacy; losing them to a severe, windowless development would only serve to lessen the power of Route 66 and harm the surrounding Lawndale and Little Village communities.

Share your thoughts. Feel free to add GIFs, videos, hashtags and more to your posts and comments. Get started by commenting below.

We want everyone to get the most out of this community, so we ask that you please read and follow these guidelines: Respect each other Keep posts relevant to the forum topic No spamming