A neglected Altgeld Gardens building, designed by 1933 World’s Fair architect, is slated for rebirth
The Altgeld Gardens Housing Center and Commercial Center — known as Up-Top — is shown in 1945. It was designed by architects Keck & Keck. Chicago History Museum
From the Chicago Sun-Times: A 79-year-old Altgeld Gardens commercial building that has spent years in disrepair despite being designed by noted Chicago architects Keck & Keck could soon begin a new life housing after-school programs and social services.
The nonprofit By the Hand Club for Kids has signed an agreement to buy the privately owned former Altgeld Gardens Commercial Center — residents call it the Up Top building — at 13100 S. Ellis Ave. for $450,000, according to Andraya Yousfi, the group’s chief of partnerships and development.
Helping make the acquisition easier: The Chicago Housing Authority on May 27 agreed to sell 1.24 acres of CHA land surrounding the building — mostly a parking lot that landlocks the structure — to the club for $27,600.
Sunbury mayor to reopen Point Drive-In as new operator on June 20
Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious stands near the Point Drive-In Movie Theater’s original ticket booth near the entrance of the theater, located at 3601 Point Township Drive, on Friday. As its new operator, Brosious will reopen the business on June 20. Mackenzie Witt Staff Photo
From The News-Item: POINT TOWNSHIP, PA — Next Friday, Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious will reopen the Point Drive-In Movie Theater as its newest operator.
Brosious, who grew up in the Sunbury area, purchased the business from Rachel Renn and the late Dave Renn in the fall.
“Drive-ins are dying across the country. They’re like an old, nostalgic thing. I want to try my best to save it and keep it (the drive-in) alive for the next generation of families so they can share this with their kids or grandkids,” Brosious said Friday.
Historic theater in San Bernardino closes for $6.8 million renovation
The California Theater in San Bernardino. Photo courtesy of the city of San Bernardino
From Hey Socal: The nearly 100-year-old California Theater in San Bernardino has closed for a $6.8 million renovation with an expected reopening this fall, the city announced Monday.
The city-owned 1,700-seat theater is home to the San Bernardino Symphony and hosts concerts and national tours of Broadway productions.
“The California Theatre is well known as a major landmark for visitors coming to downtown San Bernardino,” Deputy Director of Public Works Azzam Jabsheh said in a statement. “The upgrades being planned are a great investment for the city.”
How Webers became the most popular road trip burger joint in Ontario
From Blogto: Just north of Orillia, along Highway 11, sits one burger joint so synonymous with Ontario road trips that it’s routinely mentioned in traffic reports.
An unofficial milestone for cottagers heading north, “Clear after Webers” has become a common phrase used to describe the madness that typically ensues outside of Webers Burgers, located at 8825 ON-11.
Over the past few decades, the once-unassuming roadside stop has grown into a provincial landmark and a reliable place to grab a charcoal-barbecued burger during a pit stop up north.
The First Highway Rest Stops Were Designed for Relaxation
Eisenhower road trip rest stop. National Archives, Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
From History.com: Before the age of automobiles, roadways outside American cities were mostly unpaved, usually packed dirt or gravel. But when the motor car arrived, it carried the clear message that existing roads must be improved and more should be built. A new organization, the Good Roads Movement, rallied support for better rural roads and highways, which they said would benefit farmers, postal service and travelers. In 1910, AAA (American Automobile Association), just eight years old, jumped up on the Good Roads Movement’s mission, bringing along a new class of leisure motorists.
Politicians took notice and soon began allocating money to road building and maintenance. In 1929, a county road commissioner in Michigan set his snowplow operators on a new downtime task: constructing roadside picnic tables from scrap wood. These handy new amenities debuted in the spring, set out beside highways and were met with delight by weekend joyriders and serious travelers alike.
The publicly owned rest area was born.
Famed milk bottle at Boston museum is a symbol of roadside history
From WCVB: The Hood Milk Bottle, an iconic structure located outside the Boston Children’s Museum, has a rich history. Originally built in 1933 by Arthur Gagner, the bottle functioned as a roadside attraction in the City of Taunton, selling ice cream and dairy treats to locals. After a change in ownership, the milk bottle was abandoned for years, before it found a new home in Boston in 1977. The bottle underwent extensive renovations funded by H.P. Hood Creamery which was based in Charlestown at the time.
Dr. William Hanna of the Old Colony History Museum in Taunton wrote an article about the Milk Bottle’s history in 2021. The Museum features exhibits highlighting the rich history and amazing stories of the Old Colony region.
Turns out, the milk bottle by the Boston Children’s Museum is one of three in Massachusetts that continue to offer dining options. G&S Pizza in New Bedford has a 52-foot Milk Bottle. And The Milk Bottle restaurant in Raynham, is home to its own 56-foot Milk Bottle. Currently owned by the LoSciuto family, the restaurant serves breakfast and lunch.