Odell, Ill.
By: Ralph and Joyce Weidensee
From: Chilton, WI
By: Ralph and Joyce Weidensee
From: Chilton, WI
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Historic Rt.66 runs right though Odell IL, "A Small Town with a big Heart."
There is a walking path under the old highway so that the members of St. Paul's Catholic church could get from the East side of Rt. 66 to the church and school on the west side, in this way avoiding traffic on Rt. 66. Memories of Odell include the "Victory Bell" on the lawn at the St. Paul's High School. It became a bit of a competition to see who could be the first to ring the bell after a victory by the basketball team. There were a lot of victories that year, 1951, the year St. Paul's High School (pop. 75) compted in the IL State High School Sweet Sixteen tournament. The town provided "free show" night every Wednesday throughout the summer. What a great time for the town's people to come together to spread a blanket on the grass of the part in the center of town and spend the evening with their neighbors or our favorite girl. At intermission you could get a 10 cent ice cream cone at Chick Berry Restaurant or a milkshake at Langon's.
Odell celebrated its Sesquicentennial in 2004 with a weekend of activities in the central park.
Another celebration recently, (April 24) was the 102 Birthday party for Teresa Beck, born in and a long time resident of Odell.
Heading south on Rt.66? Stop in Odell...There is a Listorie gas station that services travelers on Rt.66 as thet travel from Chicago west to Los Angeles or points along the way. Arrive in September and you may enjoy "Odell Days", a weekend carnival and other activities.
~ Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Weidensee
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