Illinois Route 66 - Litchfield

LITCHFIELD, ILLINOIS. Pie and coffee, anyone? These old buildings on Route 66 in Litchfield are what's left of a roadside business that started with a gas station in 1929, and later, expanded to include the cafe and motel that still stand. Immigrants Albina and Vincenzo Cerolla established the Belvidere Café, Motel, and Gas Station, and it was a successful family run business until Interstate 55 came along and bypassed the complex in the 1970's. The Cerolla's and their two children, Edith and Lester, had a nice run as small businesspeople, and the cafe was popular in the 1940's and 50's for Edith's fried chicken and the piano playing and singing of Mary Levy, who was a big hit with both locals and Route 66 travelers.
     Both buildings are currently used for storage, but I believe you can still rent one of the motel rooms for the night.