BNSF Railway Logistics Park Chicago (LPC)

 TheBNSF Railway Logistics Park Chicago (LPC) is a major intermodal hub located in Elwood, Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. This state-of-the-art facility plays a critical role in the movement of goods across the United States, serving as a key gateway for both domestic and international freight. Situated strategically near major highways and rail lines, LPC facilitates efficient transportation by integrating rail, truck, and warehouse operations in one centralized location. Its proximity to the Chicago metropolitan area, one of the country’s largest freight markets, enhances its value as a logistics and distribution center.

The facility spans thousands of acres and includes extensive rail infrastructure, including multiple tracks for loading and unloading, as well as advanced systems for managing intermodal containers. It was designed to streamline freight handling, reduce congestion at urban terminals, and support sustainable transport by shifting more freight from trucks to trains. LPC is a vital component of BNSF’s nationwide network, helping reduce transit times and increase supply chain efficiency for a wide range of industries. Its operations contribute significantly to the regional economy, while also posing complex challenges related to infrastructure demands, environmental impact, and community relations.

The Atlanta Public Library, located in Atlanta, Illinois

 The Atlanta Public Library, located in Atlanta, Illinois, is a notable example of small-town architectural charm and civic pride. Established in the early 1900s, the building is a cornerstone of the community and reflects the town’s historical roots and dedication to public service.

Designed in a distinctive octagonal shape, the library stands out both structurally and culturally. Its unique design is one of the few remaining examples of octagon-style architecture used in public buildings. This layout not only provides a sense of symmetry and openness but also showcases the innovative thinking of the era in which it was built.

Over the years, the library has evolved beyond its traditional role of lending books. It serves as a hub for local events, educational programs, and community gatherings. The interior, while updated to accommodate modern needs, still retains much of its original character, preserving the historical essence that makes the building special.

Adjacent to the library is a restored octagonal-shaped telephone booth, adding another layer of historical interest and charm to the site. Together, they highlight the community’s ongoing efforts to honor and maintain its heritage.

The Atlanta Public Library continues to be a place where history, learning, and community intersect. It remains a treasured landmark in the heart of Illinois, bridging the past with the present in both form and function.

The historic Cook County Hospital Administration Building

 

The building at 1835 W Harrison Street in Chicago, Illinois, is the historic Cook County Hospital Administration Building. Completed in 1914, this eight-story Beaux-Arts structure was designed by architect Paul Gerhardt. It played a significant role in providing medical care to early immigrants and low-income residents, becoming renowned as a teaching hospital and the site of several medical breakthroughs, including the development of the first blood bank in the United States and the discovery of the cause of sickle-cell anemia. After its closure in 2002, the building underwent a $133 million rehabilitation and reopened in 2020 as a mixed-use development, featuring a 210-room hotel, retail spaces, and a museum.

A look back - September 19, 2012 - Evergreen Lake’s Vanishing Waters Reveal Hidden Paths

 

Evergreen Lake’s Vanishing Waters Reveal Hidden Paths

HUDSON, IL. (SEPT 19, 2012) — The south end of Evergreen Lake looks vastly different this September. Where Barred Owl Trail would normally meet the water’s edge, hikers now step onto a cracked and barren lake bed, a stark reminder of the relentless 2012 drought.

For months, the lack of rain has drained the once-thriving reservoir, exposing long-submerged land. What was once unreachable by foot—small, tree-covered islands—are now accessible, their roots gripping dry earth instead of rippling currents.

Local hikers take advantage of the eerie transformation, tracing paths normally lost beneath the lake’s surface. But for longtime residents, the sight is unsettling. "I’ve never seen it this low," said one visitor, kicking at the dust where water once stood.

Forecasters predict continued dry conditions, leaving the future of Evergreen Lake uncertain. For now, it remains a place of both opportunity and concern—where nature’s extremes carve new trails in the absence of water.

Elkhart Illinois - Route 66, the Mother road

 

On a warm April afternoon in Elkhart, Illinois, along the weathered stretch of Historic Route 66, a bench crafted from the rusted tailgate of a 1957 Chevrolet pickup truck sat outside a model raceway establishment. The tailgate’s faded paint gleamed faintly in the sunlight, a relic of a bygone era repurposed into a quirky seat. On to it sat Ronald McDonald, or rather, a weathered statue of the fast-food icon, his red shoes dulled to a soft pink, his chipped grin fixed in perpetual cheer.

The odd pairing of the tailgate bench and Ronald marked the edge of the raceway lot, a haven for hobbyists and nostalgia buffs. Inside, the hum of tiny engines filled the air as enthusiasts raced miniature cars around intricate tracks, their shouts and laughter drifting out into the quiet afternoon. The bench, otherwise unoccupied, seemed to wait patiently, as if it held stories of its own—perhaps of the truck it once belonged to, rumbling down the Mother Road decades ago.

As the sun climbed higher, heating up Route 66, Ronald sat as a sentinel on the tailgate, his painted eyes gazing out over the bright concrete of the street. The scene remained still, a snapshot of small-town charm and faded glory, tethered to the enduring legacy of the historic highway.