Pretty yellow and orange pumps at the Soulsby filling station in Mt. Olive, Illinois. Built by Henry Soulsby in 1926, it was passed on to his children, Russell and Ola, when he retired. The brother and sister partners sold gas at the station until 1991, spent a couple more years at the spot greeting Route 66 tourists, then sold the place to a neighbor in 1997. It was still a classic Route 66 attraction at the time of my visit in 2005, and I recently noticed the station described on the National Park Service website!
Coal mines were active in this part of Southern Illinois from the late 19th century until the 1950's. The Union Miners Cemetery is located in Mt . Olive, and this cemetery is also the final resting place of Mary Harris Jones. "Mother" Jones was a community organizer who helped found the Industrial Workers of the World union and later was active with the United Mine Workers of America. Her struggles on behalf of mine workers and children are an inspiration. Log Book: 236 miles motored on old Route 66.
No comments:
Post a Comment