I think it’s time to describe Geoff Ladd as A Guy Who Gets Things Done.
First, the Logan County tourism director fended off a very likely demolition of The Mill along Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., eventually will rehab it and convert it into a tourism center.
Now, according to today’s Lincoln Courier, Ladd has secured the Giant Abe Lincoln in a Giant Covered Wagon from Divernon, Ill., and moved it to Lincoln.
Getting the wagon was accelerated by a donation from Larry Van Bibber.
“I saw it and I saw they were trying to raise money for it,” Van Bibber said, “and I wanted to do it. I am happy to be in the position to make the donation. I know it will benefit the people of Lincoln and Logan County.”
Van Bibber expects the wagon, which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, to draw tourists through Route 66 promotions and events.
“God has blessed me in my finances and I feel like giving back to my community,” said Van Bibber, who has also given more than $43,000 to The Oasis senior center.
The fiberglass Abraham Lincoln is 12 foot in length (seated) and weighs 350 pounds. Abe is seated on the front of a wagon that hand-built of oak. The wagon is 24 feet tall, 12 feet wide, 40 feet long and weighs 5 tons. The front wheels are 10 feet tall and the back wheels are 12 feet tall.
According to the article, the Abe and wagon will be at Woodlawn Road and Route 66. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the wagon sometime next week.
UPDATE: The Bloomington Pantagraph also has a story, along with photos.
Ron – many thanks for your kind words. The wagon is here and we love having it, especially since it is still located on Route 66. The Mill is a much more difficult project and we still need lots of financial help! Contact us at http://www.SaveTheMill.org for more details -Geoff Ladd
Old Abe is on a corner to the east of the Tropics. Strange to see it there, but at least it wasn’t lost. Strange that Divernon would have let it go that easy. The canvas isn’t up on the wagon, though.
My wife and I did our part for the Mill, volunteering for the work on it, and making a donation. This will be our first effort at 66 preservation and we’re really looking forward to it.
Geoff Ladd, Lincoln, and Logan County are definitely moving out to the forefront in preserving and promoting Route 66. Geoff even volunteered to take us out to the ghost bridge until my wife decided it was too cold after we were told it would also require a half mile walk.
They have printed a new pamphlet titled “Route 66 in Logan County, Illinois.” It features maps of Lincoln and Logan County as well as pictures and articles about Tall Paul, J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator, The Tropics, the Mill, the ghost bridge, the 66 ribbon road, Postville Courthouse, Pig Hip, and old gas station in Elkhart.
I HOPE SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING WITH THE GROUND SURROUNDING THE WAGON AND MAKES IT LOOK LIKE IT GOES THERE.THE AREA AROUND THE WAGON NEEDS TO LOOK OLD AND IN THE SAME ERA. THE FAIRGROUNDS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BEST PLACE FOR IT AS IT WOULD HAVE “FIT” THERE INSTEAD OF JUST SITTING ON AN OLD CORNER EVEN THOUGH IT’S A BUSY CORNER.