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mrillinois.bsky.social
Certified Illinois Expert
@mrillinois.bsky.social
2K followers 360 following 1.7K posts
Expert in Illinois counties. Acting State Symbologist (self-appointed). Libraries, Lincoln, nature, architecture, transit. Book my library programs & get my newsletter at johnkokoris.com!
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mrillinois.bsky.social
Route 66 in Litchfield. Due to poor timing I was not able to enjoy any of these three famed sites on my recent trek.l but I’ve enjoyed hearing from 1,000 people how good the pies are at Jubelts
The recently built museum on the site of an old gas station, refurbished sign visible behind The Ariston Cafe, an old brick building with a rounded top Jubelts bakery and restaurant with setting sun behind
February 15, 2026 at 4:13 AM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Some Route 66 churches in Odell and Pontiac
A one story church on the highway with white siding and a funky, modern little fin adorned with a cross A midcentury church w a tall cross and some large triangular windows, angular roofline Another late midcentury church brick block. Three crosses above door Red brick church, kind of Romanesque
February 13, 2026 at 2:36 AM
mrillinois.bsky.social
McLean County Courthouse
Looking into the space beneath the dome A lighted archway leading towards a stairwell. A big flower design in the shiny floor Looking up some stairs. Marble and light bulbs all around The courtroom with its chandeliers, wooden railing, and nice green ceiling divided up by beams
February 12, 2026 at 10:32 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Pontiac #route66
An abandoned gas station with some very old looking cars parked under it. Checked pattern on overhang
February 12, 2026 at 3:15 AM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Our Lady of the Highways, Old Route 66, south of Farmersville
Statue of Mary in front of brick wall and pine trees
February 11, 2026 at 11:15 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
A cool church in Odell - St. Paul. Tower is visible from I-55 and #route66
A red brick church with a very very wide archway over two double doors and an octagonal tower on west side and a small octagonal bay window protruding on east. Perhaps I’d call this Romanesque but I can’t ever be sure
February 11, 2026 at 9:14 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Some Illinois libraries along #Route66. (Joliet, Lincoln, Litchfield, Mt. Olive.) Some interior shots to follow in post below (1/3)
February 11, 2026 at 8:01 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
The old State Farm building in Bloomington
A brick, art deco early “skyscraper” from the late 20s and thirties
February 11, 2026 at 3:21 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Bloomington has lots of great art deco buildings. It is the Gotham of Central Illinois
February 11, 2026 at 1:12 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Very cool Black History display floating inside the dome of the @McLeanCoIL History Museum. Bloomington Normal has some of the best interpreted and preserved history in the state IMO
Some viewed from below. Bluish at the very top and ringed by little lightbulbs Photos and info on a number of Black leaders from McLean county printed on fancy diamonds suspended in the air in the atrium of the courthouse
February 11, 2026 at 3:54 AM
mrillinois.bsky.social
A quiet part of Litchfield at twilight
A dark stretch of road with an abandoned newspaper office, an eye care offices and some vacant buildings. Sky is a pretty sunsetty color
February 11, 2026 at 2:36 AM
mrillinois.bsky.social
#route66 gas stations in Dwight, Odell, Normal, and Mt. Olive
Little vintage gas station white with red pumps White brick gas station w one red pump labeled miller tires Enormous two story combination gas station house in kind of a Tudor style labeled Sprague’s super service Little white gas station with vintage shell sign and yellow pumps
February 10, 2026 at 11:26 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
The Lexington Public Library. First time I think I’ve seen a top floor ballroom/theatre type setup in an old library. Also pictured: a small third-floor puzzling chamber. #route66
The Smith Library in Lexington. Brick with crow step gable View of stage and piano in large, open room Small puzzling chamber with two doors and two windows. Staircase with wood railings and nice window
February 10, 2026 at 11:20 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Look at that magnificent door disk. A dentist office in Litchfield, have not yet learned of the original use.
A door on a brick building with a very large ornamental terra cotta (?) or carved limestone (?) disc of some sort above it
February 10, 2026 at 6:22 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
A thread of some #route66 sights in Will County. Starting with Wilmington’s Gemini Giant
Green suited fiberglass spaceman in field patchy with snow
February 10, 2026 at 1:35 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Litchfield’s got game!
Old Carnegie library in golden twilight Crazy old elk lodge, brick with pointy dormers Closeup of elk head over doorway Very ornate dentist office. Sullivanesque disk over door. Clay tile roof. Shaped a bit like a train station
February 10, 2026 at 12:27 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Live view of the Lincoln home a few days before Abe’s birthday
The Lincoln family home in Springfield at night. A simple but respectable two story wood frame house, center entrance
February 10, 2026 at 2:25 AM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Few adequately appreciate Springfield’s place in corn dog history
Cozy dog sign showing two illuminated anthropomorphic corn dogs hugging in the dark sky The restaurant itself with large illuminated FOOD letters protruding from roof Restaurant interior featuring somewhat dated furniture and paneling and lots of Route 66 decor on the wall
February 10, 2026 at 2:02 AM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living - Mother Jones, buried in Mt. Olive’s Union Miners Cemetery
Flat grave marker for mother jones in front of a monument with two stone miner statues
February 10, 2026 at 12:52 AM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Livingston County courthouse getting a little work done
Ornate Greek revival (?) brick courthouse with scaffolding over tower
February 9, 2026 at 7:51 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
The mayor of Batavia has been to every fire station in the state of Illinois and I have now seen his collection of artifacts. Someday, may I have a similar collection of Illinois library memorabilia
Shelves of model fire trucks and other equipment lined with patches from every fire station. Other photos are more of the same Some commemorative fire station plates
February 8, 2026 at 9:52 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Home and studio of noted suburban architect R. Harold Zook. The building was saved by preservationists and moved to a nearby Hinsdale park where the historical society is trying to turn it into a community space. Zook is best known for the Pickwick Theatre & St. Charles City Hall
Diamond pattern on outer door of house, stone and brick visible around it Wavy crazy storybook shingles Kind of irregular brick wall with bits of stone mixed in
February 8, 2026 at 2:10 AM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Do any of my followers live in Lincoln, IL? I am curious if the courthouse construction project has ended and if there is any way for a poor traveler to see the rooftop phone booth
copper-domed yellowish courthouse
February 7, 2026 at 10:47 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Another old Route 66 standby (in Willowbrook). Mr. Illinois will be lecturing there May 5
Vintage sign for dell rhea chicken basket
February 7, 2026 at 10:19 PM
mrillinois.bsky.social
Neighbor has a new flag
Two flags, the old one that says Trump is a pedophole, and the new one that says f🖕ck ice
February 7, 2026 at 1:36 PM