Ariston Café facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ariston Café
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 413 Old Route 66, Litchfield, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1935 |
| Architect | Henry A. Vasel (builder) |
| Architectural style | No particular style; allusions to Art Deco |
| MPS | Route 66 through Illinois MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000380 |
| Added to NRHP | May 5, 2006 |
The Ariston Café is a famous old restaurant in Litchfield, Illinois. It sits right on the historic U.S. Route 66, often called "The Mother Road." This special café was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2006. This means it's an important building worth protecting because of its history.
The Story of Ariston Café
The Ariston Café in Litchfield was built a long time ago, in 1935. It was created by two experienced restaurant owners, Pete Adam and Tom Cokinos.
Pete Adam had already run another Ariston Café since 1924. That one was in a town called Carlinville. But around 1930, the main road, U.S. Route 66 in Illinois, was moved further east. This meant a new location was needed for their popular restaurant.
Work on the new café began on April 4, 1935. A builder named Henry A. Vasel was hired for the job. The construction was finished pretty quickly, by July 5, 1935.
What the Café Looks Like
The Ariston Café doesn't really fit into one specific building style. It was built in a practical way, which was common for small shops back then. Think of it as a "built for purpose" design.
Even so, you can spot some cool details inside. The booths have touches of the Art Deco style. This was a very popular and fancy design style in the 1930s.
On the outside, the café has a unique curved wall at the front. It also shows off some really nice and different brick patterns. When it first opened, the Ariston Café even had two fuel pumps out front. Many businesses along Route 66 offered gas to travelers.
Why Ariston Café is Special
The Ariston Café holds a special record: it's the longest-running restaurant on the entire U.S. Route 66! It shows us what kind of successful businesses used to thrive along this famous highway.
Even though a few changes have been made over the years, like adding a banquet room, the building still feels like it did in the 1930s. Its history is well-preserved.
Because of its long history and importance to Route 66, the Ariston Café was officially listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 2006.
