THE ARISTON CAFE

The Ariston Cafe located in Litchfield, IL, is the longest continously operated family restaraunt along Route 66. Established by Pete Adam, a Greek immigrant who arrived here in America in 1905 at the age of 15.

Hear the whole history of The Ariston Cafe by the founders son, Nick Adam. At 85 years old, Nick tells about how his father arrived here in America with no clear vision and worked in a wide variety of occupations from managing a Boston shoe shining parlor to working in a Colorado mine.

Even before considering the restaraunt business, Pete returned back home to Greece in 1919 to help fight the Greco-Turkish War. After the war, Pete returns back to America and his life would change forever when a complete stranger offers Pete $1000 to open up a Greek diner.

Highlights from the show include:

• The arrival of 15 year old Pete Adam to America

• Decision to return back to Greece to join the war effort

• Pete tries to make it again in America a second time

• The Candy Kitchen Days

• A total stranger gives Pete an ultimatum
• 1924 Ariston opens up
  • Past guest, Phil Gordon, recalls two Ariston locations
• Growing up at The Ariston
• The dream of law school
• Earliest memory of The Ariston
• Most popular dishes
• Life with Demi Adam
• Most memorable patrons at The Ariston
• Walking away from the Ariston
• Life after The Ariston (The Litchfield Route 66 Museum)
• is The Ariston important to Route 66?
• Local appreciation of The Ariston
• 100 years of advice to any Route 66 business owner
• 100th anniversary celebration of Ariston

The Cajon Pass is probably one of the most important sites along Route 66 in southern California. Long before Route 66. was established, the pass was an important route for early settlers, who often had to disassemble thier wagons to cross over the San Gabriel Mountains.

Join host Anthony Arno as he talks wtih local hsitorian, Mark Landis about the evolution of the pass from The Spanish Trail, The John Brown Toll Road, The Old Trails Highway, and eventually Route 66.

Even more impressive is the work of William Bristol, who in 1919 saw the potential of future motorist passing through the region after journeying across the Mojave Desert. Bristol was an entrepreneuar, poet, stone mason, and artesian who established Camp Cajon at the top of the pass, a place for weiry motorist to rest after making the treterous journey across the desert.

Highlights from the show include:

• Geographic location of Cajon Pass
• Cajon Pass Rou
  • Early footpath for Native Americans
  • Old Spanish Trail
  • John Brown Toll Road
  • Old Trails National Highway
  • Route 66

• Arrival of William Bristol into southern California
  • Citrus Farmer
  • Poet
  • 1919 Dedication of Camp Cajon
• Flood of 1938
• Relocation of Route 66
• Other monuments in Cajon Pass region
• Visiting Cajon Pass today
• Bristol re-invents himself

• Acorn Lodge
• Death of Bristol
• How will Bristol be remembered?
• The Popular Summit Inn Restaurant on Route 66

Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters, including

• Rob and Cheryl Cochran - Maryland
• Reed Coles - Nebraska
• Jim Crabtree – California
• Todd Farrell - Nebraska
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota
• Mary Nicholson – Pennsylvania
• Mark Wilson - Texas

And from the United Kingdom

• Charli Beeton

BUSINESS LEVEL SPONSORS

MidPoint Cafe, Adrian, TX – Featuring both their Ugly Crust Pie and one of the most popular photo ops along Route 66, located exactly halfway between Chicago and Santa Monica in Adrian, Texas.

ROUTE 66 TOURS

Route 66 Tours led by Route 66 Podcast host, Anthony Arno

Please consider supporting both The Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program through Patreon.

Meet our 2024 Route 66 Scholarship Recipient, Emma Wheeler

Join Route 66 Podcast host Anthony Arno, as he talks with Joseph Baxter , a dedicated preservationist and volunteer at the Round Barn. It's the only Round Barn along Route 66, but even more impressive is the history of the barn and its builder, William Oder.

• Early history of Round Barns
• Needed skill and architectural knowledge for construction

• The genius of William Oder and his Round Barn
• Last minute construction revision to make Round Barn a focal point for area social dances

• Frank Vrana years and eventual deterioration of barn
• Vrana family donation of the Round Barn
• Luke Robinson and the Over-the-Hill Gang
• Round Barn reopens (1992)
• Planning your visit to the Round Barn
• Other area attractions