I think it was Mr Rebbe that played the piano. And yes a long long time ago the Bel Aire was legit. Back before I 55 opened up and that was still a major part of America’s Main Street Route 66. But I guess with the Bel Air still there you can still get your kicks on Route66. In a weird creepy sort of way LOL
Regarding the Bel Aire sign and comments. I was a child when we moved to Springfield in April of 1963. The Bel Aire was a very, very nice hotel. We stayed there overnight while we waited for the Mayflower moving van to bring our things from out of state. I believe McDonald’s was down the street and we had a hamburger from there…which was a treat in the early 1960′s (people didn’t do McDonald’s).
I remember when Shakey’s opened. It was a neat place for a family to go. They had live music and the prices were reasonable.
After this place was Shakey’s, I believe it was Henderson Auto Sales.
Yes Mike, McDonald’s was about 2 blocks south of Shakey’s. From what I have been told, that McDonald’s was the first one in Central Illinois. It was a sad sight the day they bulldozed it.
bach when it was still rt 66 the bell air had a really fancy pool with concrete statues of animals that were fountains all around it. remember the sign proclaiming color tv and air conditioning in the rooms , actually was a pretty high end motel in the early 60′s
Is that the same building? It looks like they remodeled it to make it uglier.
BlogFreeSpringfield | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
The gentleman piano player wore a red and white striped shirt with a sleeve garter. He played Scott Joplin like all get out.
Marie | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
I like the sign in the background for the Bel Aire. Was that place ever legit?
Anonymous Communist | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
The Bel Aire used to be a nice place; my wife and I stayed there on our wedding night.
Wait a minute . . . on second thought, it wasn’t our wedding night.
And now that I think about it, that wasn’t my wife.
Dammit. How do delete a comment on this thing?
BlogFreeSpringfield | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
No, that was NOT your Wife, it was my Mother! Dad! How ya doin’?
elijahiles | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
I ate a lot of cheap buffet pizza at Shakey’s. I think it was $3.00 for all you could stand.
Paul H | May 31, 2008 | Reply
I think it was Mr Rebbe that played the piano. And yes a long long time ago the Bel Aire was legit. Back before I 55 opened up and that was still a major part of America’s Main Street Route 66. But I guess with the Bel Air still there you can still get your kicks on Route66. In a weird creepy sort of way LOL
justbob | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
Regarding the Bel Aire sign and comments. I was a child when we moved to Springfield in April of 1963. The Bel Aire was a very, very nice hotel. We stayed there overnight while we waited for the Mayflower moving van to bring our things from out of state. I believe McDonald’s was down the street and we had a hamburger from there…which was a treat in the early 1960′s (people didn’t do McDonald’s).
I remember when Shakey’s opened. It was a neat place for a family to go. They had live music and the prices were reasonable.
After this place was Shakey’s, I believe it was Henderson Auto Sales.
Mike | Jul 1, 2010 | Reply
“It looks like they remodeled it to make it uglier.”
You’ll find more than a few instances of that today.
John LaTessa | Oct 13, 2010 | Reply
Yes Mike, McDonald’s was about 2 blocks south of Shakey’s. From what I have been told, that McDonald’s was the first one in Central Illinois. It was a sad sight the day they bulldozed it.
M Nation | Mar 8, 2011 | Reply
bach when it was still rt 66 the bell air had a really fancy pool with concrete statues of animals that were fountains all around it. remember the sign proclaiming color tv and air conditioning in the rooms , actually was a pretty high end motel in the early 60′s
R Burton | May 28, 2011 | Reply