Since its birth in 1926, Route 66 has changed the lives of countless people who have decided to follow their dreams of traveling somewhere new and exciting. Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 was the first continuous hard road to make travel from the Midwest to the West Coast a faster, easier, and more realistic possibility than ever before. Route 66 quickly earned the title of the Main Street of America because its bends and curves sought out rather than avoided the hearts of the towns through which it passed. Like many other businesses, Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup grew to depend on the steady stream of customers that Route 66 brought to its door. Today, the sirup farm at Funks Grove remains a favorite stop among Route 66 travelers.
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For more things to do in Funks Grove:
funksgrove.org funkprairiehomemuseum.com visitbn.org/visit/sugar-grove-nature-center For more about Route 66 in Illinois: illinoisroute66.org il66assoc.org historic66.com/illinois For other things to do in Central Illinois: mchistory.org visitbn.org mclean-il.com destinationlogancountyil.com enjoyillinois.com |
View of the sugarhouse from the trees during a heavy snowfall (2013).
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Unveiling of the Route 66 Roadside Attraction sign (2003). From left: Stephen and Glaida Funk, Illinois Route 66 Association President Jeff LaFollette, Route 66 historian and preservationist Jim Conkle, and Debby and Mike Funk.
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Ceremony for placement of a sign marking Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup as the midpoint of Route 66 in Illinois during the Illinois Route 66 Association Motor Tour (2012).
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Motorcycles from an international Route 66 motorcycle tour group, parked in front of the sugarhouse (June 2012).
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More motorcycles from the same international Route 66 motorcycle tour group during their stop at the sirup farm (June 2012).
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Motorcyclists on a Route 66 tour take a break in front of the depot adjacent to the sugarhouse (fall 2012).
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The Funks Grove church, erected in 1864–1865 by Isaac Funk and Robert Stubblefield with the help of their sons, still contains the original pulpit, altar rail, and glass. The pews were built during President Lincoln’s term.
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The entry to the chapel in the trees.
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The chapel in the trees, located just south of the Funks Grove church, is the perfect setting for a small wedding or personal reflection in nature.
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The Funks Grove timber is a beautiful setting for a peaceful walk any time of year. These photos show the timber in springtime, when it is lush with green foliage and wildflowers, such as bluebells.
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The Sugar Grove Nature Center features interactive exhibits and educational materials for children and adults as well as a wildlife viewing area. Also on the grounds are a picnic shelter, astronomy observatory, working blacksmith forge, gardens, and Imagination Grove, a nature exploration area for kids of all ages. The center offers programs and special events year-round and maintains more than five miles of walking trails.
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Entrance to the Funk Prairie Home and Gem & Mineral Museum. Visitors to the home, which was built by hand in 1863–1864 by LaFayette Funk Sr., can view 13 rooms of original furnishings, including a working Victrola. The museum houses a portion of LaFayette Funk II’s extensive collection of rare specimens. Tours of both the house and museum are available by appointment.
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