Part of Our Route 66 Everytown Collection - Lawndale Edition
This premium unisex jersey tee celebrates one of Route 66's most fascinating legends. Crafted from ultra-soft 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, it offers comfort, durability and a story worth sharing, making it the perfect companion for road trips, cryptid hunts or late-night campfire conversations.
Commemorate Lawndale, Illinois: where, in the summer of 1977, locals reported a terrifying and extraordinary encounter with a massive bird-like creature. Known today as the Thunderbird Incident, this eerie tale has become part of Route 66 folklore, captivating travelers, cryptid enthusiasts and mystery seekers for nearly half a century.
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About Lawndale, Illinois: Where Mystery Took Flight
Lawndale is a quiet Logan County village located just off the 1926-1977 alignment of Route 66. But the village is famous for one of the strangest stories ever told along the Mother Road. Settled in the 1840s and platted in 1854, the town became part of American legend on July 25, 1977, when residents reported a chilling encounter with what many described as a giant thunderbird.
According to eyewitnesses, the enormous bird swooped down near Kickapoo Creek, grabbed 10-year old Marlon Lowe, and carried him roughly 35 feet before his mother, Ruth Lowe, scared it away. With multiple witnesses and decades of retellings, this event has secured Lawndale's place in cryptozoological history.
Lawndale also holds its share of Route 66 and agricultural heritage. The Kickapoo Creek Bridge, opened in 1954, stands as a reminder of the engineering that kept the highway alive through Illinois. For decades, the town's towering grain elevators loomed over Route 66, greeting travelers until their removal in the late 2010s.
Today, Lawndale keeps its unique story alive during the annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival in May, when travelers stop to hear the tale and connect with this one-of-a-kind slice of Americana. Between its eerie legend and its place in highway history, Lawndale remains one of the most mysteriously memorable stops on the Mother Road.
Product Features:
- 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton for premium softness
- Side seams for added structure and durability
- Tear-away label for comfort
- Classic crew neckline with a flattering unisex fit - true-to-size for all day comfort (see size chart for details)
- Fulfilled in the USA
Care Instructions:
- Machine wash: cold (max 90°F / 30°C)
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Non-chlorine bleach as needed
- Iron or steam: medium heat
- Do not dry clean
