for information and reservations call 708-352-3615
The Wishing Well Motel
"Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame Member"
I have had the pleasure of interviewing Mrs. Zora Vidas, the owner/manager of the Wishing Well Motel in LaGrange, Illinois. This is one of my favorite privileges allowed to me as a self appointed contributor to the Route 66 Association of Illinois Quarterly Newsletter. The honor given to me that allows me to be able to meet and interview the people who are the history of Route 66 in Illinois, for this I am grateful.
Mrs. Vidas is the fun loving, spirited woman who owns the Wishing Well Motel which is located at Joliet Road and Brainard Avenue in La Grange, IL 60525 the phone number is 708-352-3615. Mrs. Vidas has owned the Wishing Well for a whopping 45 years. She hardly looks old enough to own a business that long.
The Wishing Well Motel is conveniently located only 15 miles from the Chicago loop on Historic Route 66. You can see the Sears Tower from Route 66 in front of the motel. You can enjoy Chicago without paying Chicago lodging rates, and we know that is always a good thing. Across the street is a Forest Preserve where you can walk, run or bicycle, if you’re so inclined. For me that sounds like EXERCISE ooh that’s a bad thing! Close by is the Flame supper club always fun, and Tone's (an old fashioned road house diner) mmm food!
The Wishing Well was built 1941. There have been three owners of the wishing well. The original owners were the Blackburn family, followed by the Bronson family. In 1958 the third and final owners purchased the motel, father and son, Charles and Emil Vidas and their wives. Mr. and Mrs. Emil Vidas and Charles have since passed away, the motel remains in ownership by Charles wife, Mrs. Zora Vidas. Mrs. Vidas worked side by side with her family in the daily operations of the motel and took over as manager when Charles passed away in 1985. Mrs. Vidas while running the motel also raised her children and continued to further her education, I’m thinking some kind of superwoman, don’t you agree?
Originally the Wishing Well properties consisted of 10 cabins, an office and a small house, which was located behind the cabins. In the years that have gone by Mrs. Vidas has made changes to improve the motel, but always keeping the integrity of the motel. When Charles was still living, they built a new house that is adjacent to the motel office. The house also includes a small apartment that the senior Vidas couple lived in. The small house that was in the back has since been converted into guest rooms. The cabins have been joined together as one and along with the house conversion make a total of 19 guest rooms. Although the passing of time have given cause to remodel and make necessary repairs Mrs. Vidas has kept many of the antiquated features that make this truly a Route 66 icon.
The Wishing Well has stood the test of time. The motel is still serving travelers. Remaining in operation the Wishing Well is half full on most nights. The motel reminds travelers as they drive along Route 66 of the past of this great Mother Road and the wonderment of the future.
The Wishing Well has served as a comforting home away from home for many famous people, who wanted the quiet and anonymity, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Entertainers, business people, and other celebrities would make the Wishing Well their home, as they would perform in nearby Chicago. Probably three of the most famous to stay at the Wishing Well is Guy Lombardo, Tex Beneke, and the group Chicago.
Mrs. Vidas told me, “When I saw those kids with that long hair I almost didn’t rent a room to them, they scared me!” She also had a missed opportunity to rent to a movie star. The then famous movie star Dale Robertson entered her lobby looking for a safe haven. Mrs. Vidas was busy, busy, busy, and was having a very hectic day. Overworked and underpaid she sent him away, not wanting to be bothered anymore that day. Later she talked to the hotel manager where Mr. Robertson ended up staying at and was surprised to find he was a star!
Recently one couple that had spent their honeymoon at the Wishing Well returned to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary as they did their wedding night all those long years ago. They were thrilled that the hotel was still in operation. There is a rich history in this establishment.
Mrs. Vidas along with her husband raised two sons within the walls of this motel and adjacent home. The sons are both Doctors now, married with families of their own. They suggested to Mrs. Vidas she sell the motel to be able to retire, and relax. Mrs. Vidas responded by saying, “I’ll never retire, where else in this world can I meet so many wonderful and exciting people reliving their past and searching for a future every day of my life.”