Sprague's Super Service facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sprague's Super Service
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Sprague's Super Service
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 Location in Illinois
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| Location | 305 E. Pine St. Normal, McLean County, Illinois, USA |
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| Built | 1931 |
| MPS | Historic and Architectural Resources of Route 66 Through Illinois |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000327 |
| Added to NRHP | 2008-04-25 |
Sprague's Super Service is a really old and special building in Normal, Illinois. It sits right on the famous Route 66. Built in 1931 by William Sprague, it used to be a gas station, a restaurant, and a car repair shop all in one!
This building is one of the biggest two-story gas station buildings left on Route 66. The main floor had a cafe and a service station. Upstairs, there were two apartments for the owner and a worker. The building was designed in a Tudor revival style. This made it look like a regular house, so it would fit in with the neighborhood.
Contents
The Story of Sprague's Super Service
Pine Street was once the main part of Route 66. This street was mostly a neighborhood with homes. So, the gas station was built to look like a house. This helped it blend in with the area.
Over the years, a few changes were made to the station. In 1948 and 1967, new parts were added. One addition was a second garage for car repairs. But the main building's original design stayed mostly the same.
What It Sold and Who Used It
When it first opened, the station sold fuel from a company called Cities Service. Later, it sold other brands, like Gulf Oil in the 1960s. The last time fuel was sold there was in 1971. The gas pumps were taken away by 1979.
After that, the building was used for many different businesses. It was a welding company, a manufacturing company, and even a taxi and car rental office. The last businesses there were a catering company and a bridal shop. After they left, the building was empty for a while.
Bringing the Building Back to Life
A teacher from Illinois State University, Terri Ryburn, bought the station in 2006. She is also an author who writes about Route 66 history. She and her husband, William Sanders, wanted to fix up the old building.
Fixing Up the Old Station
The first steps in fixing the building included a study of its architecture. Then, the roof, electrical system, and plumbing were replaced. The bathrooms, ceilings, and heating and cooling systems were also updated.
Terri Ryburn wants to open the building again. She plans for it to be an information center, a cafe, a diner, and a place for events. She also hopes to have a bed and breakfast there. These plans need a lot of money, about $1.2 million, so they have been delayed.
Special Recognition
Sprague's Super Service is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. This means it's a special place in American history. In 2009, it was put into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame. It was also named a local historic landmark in 2011.
In 2010, an outdoor display was set up. It tells the story of the station. It explains how the building was used as a gas station, a home, and other shops. In 2012, students from Illinois State University even designed new ideas for the inside of the building.
Helping with the Costs
Many people have tried to raise money to finish the restoration. The owner has spent about $90,000 of her own money. The town gave a grant of $46,695 for a new roof and a temporary furnace.
The National Park Service gave two grants of $20,000 and $10,000. These helped pay for heating, air conditioning, and new windows upstairs. The state also gave $10,000 for two new bathrooms. Volunteers from the Route 66 Association helped with work for a day. In 2012, another $10,000 grant helped fix the old wooden windows and doors.
People have also raised money in other ways. In 2010, money from a "Pics on Route 66" calendar was given to the project. A local music group played a free concert at the site in 2014. People have also given money as private donations.
Terri Ryburn still hopes to have a coffee and ice cream shop, a tea room, and a theater space. As of 2014, her goal is to finish the downstairs area first. She wants to rent it out for events. This will help her earn money to complete her bigger plans.
