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| The Riviera Roadhouse |
| Inside the Riviera |
| Old Route 66 Roadside Diner |
| J.K. Harrison's Pub & Grill |
| 103 S. Rt 53 Braceville IL 60407 (815) 237-2953 Website JK Harrisons's Menu http://www.myspace.com/JKHarrisons |
| Inside the Old Route 66 Roadside Diner |
| The Riviera Roadhouse is now owned by Bob Kelly . The Riviera Roadhouse was built in 1928 and was a hangout of Al Capone and his buddies. Read more about the Riviera. |
Once when asked
about GROUND
HOG STEAK, long
time owner Peggy
explained, "Pork is
from a pig. A pig is
a hog. If I grind up
the hog (pork) then I
have ground hog,"
and a very tasty treat
was created!
Source: As the
Story Goes...By
John & Lenore Weiss
about GROUND
HOG STEAK, long
time owner Peggy
explained, "Pork is
from a pig. A pig is
a hog. If I grind up
the hog (pork) then I
have ground hog,"
and a very tasty treat
was created!
Source: As the
Story Goes...By
John & Lenore Weiss
| This 100 year old horse drawn street car diner is located behind the Riviera Roadhouse. It is a free official Route 66 Roadside attraction restored by the Illinois Route 66 Association volunteers. |
History of Braceville
The Village of Braceville was once a thriving city with
3500 residents at it's height in the 1870's. By the late
1880's the town sported six general merchandise
stores, two banks, a hotel, two restaurants, and 18
other retail businesses. At this time, the Village also
included an opera house and large frame school. In
the summer of 1910, the miners of Braceville Coal
Company went on strike, and the company decided to
close it's doors permanently. Today, Braceville still
supports approximately 800 residents and is home to
the Mazonia Fish & Wildlife and still hosts historic
businesses like J.K. Harrisons, formerly the Old Pine
Lounge and the Riviera Roadhouse.
The Village of Braceville was once a thriving city with
3500 residents at it's height in the 1870's. By the late
1880's the town sported six general merchandise
stores, two banks, a hotel, two restaurants, and 18
other retail businesses. At this time, the Village also
included an opera house and large frame school. In
the summer of 1910, the miners of Braceville Coal
Company went on strike, and the company decided to
close it's doors permanently. Today, Braceville still
supports approximately 800 residents and is home to
the Mazonia Fish & Wildlife and still hosts historic
businesses like J.K. Harrisons, formerly the Old Pine
Lounge and the Riviera Roadhouse.
| Mazonia Fish & Wildlife |
| Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area consists of 1017 acres, and is located in Grundy County 1/2 mile south of Braceville on Illinois Route 53 (Old Route 66) and Huston Road. The area contains more than 200 water impoundments ranging from 3/4 acre to 30 acres. The water area currently contains largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, and bullhead. Wildlife habitat can be found on the site int he 700 acres of grassland, burshy draws and lmiited woodland cover. |
What is it about Braceville?
Is it a small town atmosphere? The people that have lived
here for generations? The lower taxes? The high water
table? There are so many answers to that question, and
every person you ask, whether they have lived here for
generations or not, may have a different response to that
question.
Like every other town, county, or state, Braceville is a
place defined by it's history. But it is also defined the the
residents. The people are who make Braceville what it is
today. Some have lived here their entire lives, their
families going back generations. Some are the start of a
new generation in Braceville, others may be just passing
through. Regardless of how long you have lived here, or
your age, the people of Braceville are what make this
small community so unique. Not everyone knows each
other, not everyone agrees with each other; but most
people have a common bond; that is, they live in
Braceville! Braceville residents are able to walk down the
street and smile and wave to passing cars, knowing that
you will receive a smile and wave back regardless of who
it is. That's what makes this quaint community of
Braceville so special.
Is it a small town atmosphere? The people that have lived
here for generations? The lower taxes? The high water
table? There are so many answers to that question, and
every person you ask, whether they have lived here for
generations or not, may have a different response to that
question.
Like every other town, county, or state, Braceville is a
place defined by it's history. But it is also defined the the
residents. The people are who make Braceville what it is
today. Some have lived here their entire lives, their
families going back generations. Some are the start of a
new generation in Braceville, others may be just passing
through. Regardless of how long you have lived here, or
your age, the people of Braceville are what make this
small community so unique. Not everyone knows each
other, not everyone agrees with each other; but most
people have a common bond; that is, they live in
Braceville! Braceville residents are able to walk down the
street and smile and wave to passing cars, knowing that
you will receive a smile and wave back regardless of who
it is. That's what makes this quaint community of
Braceville so special.
5650 South Route 53 (Old Route 66), Braceville
| DOWNTOWN JOLIET ELWOOD WILMINGTON BRAIDWOOD GODLEY BRACEVILLE GARDNER DWIGHT ODELL PONTIAC CHENOA LEXINGTON TOWANDA HOME LINKS |
| A total loss — The Mother Road has lost an 80-year old icon, the last roadhouse on Route 66 in Illinois, the Riviera Restaurant in Gardner burned to the ground Tuesday night, June 8, 2010 Photos by Free Press Advocate |
| June 8, 2010 |