Sprague's Super Service

Sprague's Super Service is a historic independent gas station on Route 66 in Normal, Illinois.[2]

Sprague's Super Service
Sprague's Super Service
Location305 E. Pine St. Normal, McLean County, Illinois, USA
Coordinates40°31′3″N 88°58′51″W
Built1931
MPSHistoric and Architectural Resources of Route 66 Through Illinois
NRHP reference No.08000327[1]
Added to NRHP2008-04-25

A Tudor revival building constructed in 1931 by William Sprague to house a service station, restaurant and garage, it is the largest of three remaining two-story fuel station buildings on US 66, originally housing a café and service station on the main floor plus two second-floor apartments for the owner and the station attendant.

History

As Pine Street (the main U.S. 66 route before construction of the Veterans Parkway as a bypass after 1940) is part of a largely-residential neighbourhood, the station was designed to fit with its surroundings by having the building follows the architectural conventions of a private residence.

While additions were made to the station in 1948 and 1967 (one of which sited a second auto service bay as an adjoining garage beside the main building) the original building's design has been left largely intact. Originally a Cities Service vendor, the station has sold various brands of fuel (including Gulf Oil during the 1960s).[2] The last fuel was dispensed in 1971[3] and the pumps removed by 1979.[4] The building then served as a storefront for various businesses including Joe's Welding and Boiler Company, Corn Belt Manufacturing, Yellow Cab and Avis Rent-a-Car. The last occupants were Hodge's Catering and Bridal World before the building was ultimately left vacant.[5]

Restoration effort

Illinois State University instructor and Route 66 historical author Terri Ryburn,[6] with her husband William Sanders (August 23, 1933 - January 6, 2011[7]), purchased the station at a cost of $220,000 to begin restoration in October 2006. An architectural study was completed and the roof, electric and plumbing systems, bathrooms, ceilings and heating and air conditioning system replaced[8] as the first steps in an eventual restoration of the property. The owner's stated intention is to reopen the historic building as an information centre, café, diner, soda fountain, bed and breakfast and event space;[9] these plans have been delayed due to an estimated total cost of $1.2 million to fully complete this ambitious project.

Sprague's Super Service has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since April 25, 2008, was inducted into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame in 2009[10] and designated municipally as a local historic landmark on August 15, 2011.[11]

In December 2010, an outdoor wayside exhibit was installed to describe the history of the Sprague Service Station in all the various incarnations it has gone through over the years as a service station, a residence and various retail operations.[12] In 2012, a group of Illinois State University interior design students proposed various designs for interior renovations.[13]

Various attempts have been made to raise funds to complete the restoration; in addition to about $90,000 from the owner's own pockets,[14] contributions have included a $46,695 grant from the town for a new roof and temporary furnace, a $20,000 matching grant from the National Park Service for a heating and air conditioning system, duct work and ceiling, a $10,000 matching grant from the National Park Service to replace windows in the living quarters above the station, a $10,000 grant from the state for two new bathrooms and a day of volunteer service from the Route 66 Association. An additional $10,000 federal matching grant in 2012 subsidized restoration of historic wood-frame windows and doors.[15][16]

In 2010, proceeds from the sale of a 'Pics on Route 66′ 2011 Calendar by David Schwartz[17] were donated to the restoration effort; local classic country group Wagon Load A Trouble performed for free at the site in 2014.[18] Attempts have also been made to raise funds through private individual donation.

Ryburn still plans at some point to include a coffee and ice cream shop, a tea room and theatre space[19] but, as of 2014, says "The short-term goal now is to finish the downstairs and rent that out as event space, so I can get some income to finish my plans. I can't afford the equipment for a restaurant now."[18]

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gollark: Well, enjoy your work thing, or maybe don't!
gollark: What a strange religious requirement.
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gollark: I mean, there's probably demand for it, and cows are kind of inefficient.

See also

References
  1. Staff. "NPS Focus: Sprague's Super Service (#08000327)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. "Sprague's Super Service: Normal, Illinois". US National Park Service.
  3. Scott Miller (May 7, 2007). "Historic Route 66 station to be business". The Pantagraph.
  4. "Sprague's Super Service Station to Receive Honors Plaque". Route 66 Association of Illinois. September 16, 2010.
  5. Mary Ann Ford (August 4, 2011). "Roadside assist: Route 66 site seeks restoration aid". The Pantagraph (Bloomington IL).
  6. Terri Ryburn (1995). Route 66 Goin' Somewhere: The Road in McLean County. ISBN 9780943788074.
  7. "William Sanders (obituary)". The Pantagraph. January 8, 2011.
  8. Mary Ann Ford (September 21, 2010). "Park Service recognizes Route 66 station project". The Pantagraph (Bloomington IL).
  9. "Sprague Super Service". illinoisroute66.org.
  10. "2009 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced". Illinois Route 66 Association. April 20, 2009.
  11. "Planning board backs landmark designation for Route 66 station". The Pantagraph. August 4, 2011.
  12. Paul Morello (December 15, 2010). "New Route 66 wayside exhibits unveiled". WJBC radio.
  13. "Students help Route 66 building renovation". Illinois State University. 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  14. Michelle Mantel (August 4, 2011). "Historic designation could help restore Old Route 66 site". WJBC radio.
  15. "Route 66 corridor preservation cost-share grants" (PDF). US National Park Service. July 2012.
  16. "Historic service station in Normal gets another Route 66 restoration grant". Herald-Review. 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  17. "Sprague's Super Service". Route66world.com.
  18. "Outdoor concert to benefit Route 66 station restoration". WJBC. 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  19. "Route 66 site seeks restoration aid". Daily Herald. 2011-08-14. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
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