Detour Pit Stop #69: Henry's Rabbit Ranch, Route 66, Illinois, USA
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You see some strange things as you travel The Mother Road, but Henry’s Rabbit Ranch might just be one of the oddest attractions on Route 66.
Almost 30 years ago Rich Henry took a road trip to California on Route 66 and was surprised there weren’t more visitor centres and souvenir shops along the route of this all-American odyssey. With interstates taking most of the traffic the old road was neglected and Henry decided he wanted to do his bit to keep America’s Main Street alive.
So on his return to Staunton, Illinois he built a tribute to the classic gas stations once found along Route 66 and started selling highway and trucking memorabilia. The rabbits came soon after when his daughter Emily’s pets began to reproduce rather rapidly. Henry built pens for the bunnies which soon became a local attraction and the Rabbit Ranch was born.
Now, alongside the live rabbits is a miniature Carhenge made out of deceased Volkswagen Rabbits and assorted other oddities. Henry’s efforts were recognised in 2012 when the ranch was officially inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame.