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On Saturday, June 20th, the Logan
County Tourism Bureau hosted a celebration tagged as the Mill on Rt.
66 Museum Relaunch. As a part of the celebration, a ribbon cutting
ceremony was held at 11 a.m. in front of the mill. LCTB Director
Wanda Lee Rohlfs led the cut and began by speaking briefly about the
history of the Mill on Rt. 66.
She explained that the Mill first opened in 1929, thus it is almost
as old as Route 66 itself. She talked about the mill structure and
the rotating blades with lights that mimicked a Dutch windmill. She
went on to discuss the original restoration led by Geoff Ladd where
the blades were reconstructed without lighting and without rotation.
She explained that thanks to a 2026 100-year anniversary Route 66
grant, the LCTB was able to restore the blades once again. She noted
that the work was done with the blades being constructed of more
durable wood, lighting, and the return of the rotating feature.
Several people joined Rohlfs behind the ribbon including LCTB Board
President Molly Pickering, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, Lincoln Ward
One alderpersons Robin McClallen and Steve Parrott, Lincoln Ward Two
aldermen Tim Becke and Sam Downs, Logan County Board member Lance
Conahan, Carter Brown with Brown Electric, LeRoy Ranthum, Richard
Burger, and Centennial Route 66 Ambassador East, Jessica Anderson.
Holding the ribbon for the event was Rob and Susan Harmon,
representing the car show that was taking place behind the Mill.
Rohlfs spoke specifically about Ranthum and Burger saying that they
were an integral part of the original restoration of the Mill led by
Geoff Ladd. She presented both men with certificates of
appreciation.
From the left: LeRoy Ranthum, Geoff Ladd,
Richard Burger
She noted that Ladd would be joining the festivities soon, and he
too would be presented with a certificate.
Rohlfs then welcomed Mayor Welch and asked him to step up to the
ribbon and introduce the members of city governance that were on
hand. Welch did so, then commented that he was happy to see the Mill
in such nice condition and congratulated the LCTB on the recent
restoration of the blades. He said that he appreciated the
partnership between the city and the LCTB.
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Rohlfs introduced Carter Brown and
asked him to come to the front to speak. Carter said that as a
second-generation electrician in Logan County he was excited about
being a part of the restoration project. He added that when Rohlfs
reached out to Carter Electric about the project, he wasn’t sure how
well it would go, but it had gone well and he was pleased with the
outcome.
Before conducting the cut, Rohlfs asked for a show of hands as to
how many in attendance had ever seen the windmill lighted and
spinning. There were quite a few in the audience that had seen it.
Rohlfs asked Parrott to step inside and turn on the blades as the
ribbon was cut by Conahan and Pickering.
When the ribbon was snipped many
applauded. Rohlfs then reminded the group that there were activities
in the back yard including the car show and a food tent selling
schnitzels. Many folks will remember that the Schnitzel was a
favored sandwich served at the Mill when it was owned and operated
by Blossom Huffman.
Many guests lingered to watch the blades turn for a bit while others
headed to the back yard and the food line to grab a sandwich while
they perused the car show. The Mill Museum was also open with
everyone encouraged to step inside and look about and take advantage
of the souvenir gift shop in the bar area.
Mill on Route 66 Museum Relaunch photo slideshow
Mill on Route 66 Museum Relaunch photo slideshow video playlist
[Nila Smith w/video by Karen Castelein]
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