Atlanta, IL: J.H. Hawes Preserved Wood Grain Elevator and American Giants/US-66 Texaco Station

Elevator: (Satellite)

Texaco Station: (Satellite)

US-66 Overview

See Minier Junction for more information about the Pennsy route that went through this town.

Note the Pennsy position signal in the foreground and the preserved windmill in the background. This is looking East.

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Bloomington/Normal, IL ❤ Remember When.... posted
The J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator in Atlanta, IL., built in 1903 and closed in 1976. The 55-foot-tall elevator is the only such structure in Illinois listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 2013 photo by Larry Senalik.
Jim Sherer Would make a great picture puzzle.
Michael L Johnson https://www.jigidi.com/created.php?id=A8U72CCZ
The higher resolution picture you have, the more puzzle pieces you can get...
Michael D Fortney The elevator is a real gem - it's unusual to see one still in original wood sheathing and not clad over in corrugated metal. The Wabash double-door automobile boxcar is a rarity also - as many as eight new autos could fit inside during the Model T era. As autos grew too large to haul economically, the boxcars were relegated to other uses such as grain service.
Michael D Fortney While doing research for an article a couple years ago, an associate and I had the chance to interview the long-time manager of the Union Elevator (a few miles west of Atlanta in Logan Co.), Lyle Nafziger. A very affable person and sharp as a tack nonagerian, Lyle explained all aspects of operation. The plain exterior of a typical old-time elevator hid quite a system of hoists, chutes, and a number of bins to hold the various grains. Lyle broke down the usual consist from the 1960s as 60% corn, 30% beans, and 10% wheat and oats. Lyle passed away recently - I recall this as a very fun interview. People really seem to open up when someone asks about their work-a-day career.
Bob Kraft I remember going there with my great uncle Merle Liesman and unloading corn. About 1969.

Ted Lemen shared
Dennis DeBruler Near the end they show the flexible chute used to fill boxcars. This is a reminder that covered hopper cars were not developed until the 1960s by Southern Railroad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Rp-X50sb-I&feature=youtu.be

23:37 video @ 18:31

There are several interpretative signs on the property. Here are two of them.

It is open only on Sunday afternoons. But I was able to get some photos through the windows.

Here is the wagon dump

And I almost got the engine.

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American Giants/US-66 Texaco Station

A map of Muffler Man locations

The museum was still being built in Jul 2023. This was a vacant lot in the previous view of Aug 2022. Also the downtown is a museum of Italianate architecture, and the grain elevators are a museum of grain elevator technologies. The original Route 66 would have gone past this station. Once again, an example that Google's AI can't tell the difference between a face on a person or a statue.

Street View, Jul 2023

I was hoping that they would add some historic gas pumps out front. I'm glad to see that they have added some pumps.

Illinois Family Destinations posted
This giants museum is one of the quirkiest places! https://familydestinationsguide.com/tiny-giants-museum-illinois/

Mariko Kusakabe posted

“American Giants Museum” in Atlanta Illinois

The Museum has Muffler Men recently beginning popping up all along Route 66.

They opened in replica gas stations built on the site of former gas stations.

The museum exhibits document the history of the Muffler Man, who was popular along American highways from the 1960s to the 1970s.

The museum aims to display the world's largest collection of Giants,

and the number of Giants is currently increasing.

https://2441.blog.fc2.com/blog-date-20240927.html

Steve Turri commented on Mariko's post
Neat place.

FamilyDestinatiosGuide

Feb 2026:

American Giants Museum posted
Lee and Diane Woods, who recently took over ownership of the American Giants Museum spent a busy weekend on site getting things ready for the upcoming season. The outside lights are now on again and Lee is planning on installing neon on the building soon . The 2026 season is just around the corner and we are excited to provide new exhibits, more signs and more giants for your upcoming Route 66 travels!

Kevin Henderson commented on the above post
Last year, very cool place 😏...

Jun 2026: I presume these are here.

Denise Wagner Tokar posted

David Hjortnaes commented on a post

I noticed the grain legs in the left background of the above photo, so the last two photos are definitely the American Giants exhibit. It is good to see that it finished in time for the 100th Anniversary of Route 66.

Street View, Jul 2023

American Giants Museum posted six photos with the comment: "Lee Woods got a visitor today at the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, IL! Lee and Robbie Wolfe from American Pickers go way back and often trade or sell items to each other. Robbie brought some stuff in and hauled some stuff out this morning. In addition Robbie and Lee got to meet a biker riding Route 66. He left from the Santa Monica Pier 22 days ago!"

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American Giants Museum posted nine photos with the comment: "Cars, merch and giants today in Atlanta, IL Come visit us at the American Giants Museum and the Giant Route 66 Stop across the street. Fresh batch of sodas and merch from Lee Woods!"

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[Note the older cars that a cruising Route 66.]

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[More older cars doing the cruise.]

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Susan Roberts commented on the above post

Based on Photo 2 above, this building would now be the Giant Route 66 Stop. But I don't think you can fit a car in that building with room to spare.

Street View, Jul 2023

There are a lot more photos of giants in the comments of "Richmond, IN: Uranus Fudge Factory and American Giants."