The Log Cabin Inn

Route 66 provided a steady income for family businesses like Joe and Victor "Babe" Selotis' Log Cabin Inn. When the Selotises built their cabin business in 1926, Route 66 ran east of them next to the railroad tracks, and their buildings faced the hard road. Joe barbecued beef and pork on a spit out back, while Babe filled gas tanks and fixed flats. In the 1940s, Route 66 was widened to four lanes and relocated to the west side of the business, where it is today. The sturdy cabin was jacked up and turned 180 degrees with horses to face the new road, and hundreds of Pontiac residents came out to witness the event. Joe Selotis was also given a crow that he painstakingly trained to talk, and tourists returned often to visit the chattering bird, which especially enjoyed perching on picnic tables among beer drinkers and acquired a taste for malt liquor.

Illinois · United States