The Complete Story
White Fence Farm was established in the early 1920s by Stuyvesant 'Jack' Peabody, son of Peabody Coal Company founder Francis S. Peabody and himself CEO of Peabody Coal. Jack owned a 450-acre horse farm across U.S. Route 66/Joliet Road where thoroughbred racehorses were bred, boarded, and trained. The problem: there was no restaurant in the area where he could entertain his weekend guests. So he simply started one himself.
The roadside restaurant opened in a converted farmhouse on a 12-acre plot and was initially known for its hamburger sandwiches and Guernsey milk products, including ice cream. By the time U.S. Route 66 officially opened in November 1926, White Fence Farm had already served several thousand customers. It was reviewed multiple times by early restaurant critic Duncan Hines, who wrote in 1935 that guests could play shuffleboard, croquet, ping-pong, or pitch quoits while waiting for a table.
Jack Peabody operated the restaurant until his death in 1946. Since 1954, it has been owned by the Hastert family. The restaurant bills itself as having 'the world's greatest fried chicken,' which is pressure cooked and refrigerated in bulk before being individually flash-fried to order. A historical marker was erected in 2011 by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ Founded by Stuyvesant 'Jack' Peabody, whose father founded the Peabody Coal Company - one of America's largest coal companies
→ Was already serving thousands of customers BEFORE Route 66 officially opened in November 1926
→ Restaurant critic Duncan Hines was a fan since the late 1920s and reviewed it multiple times
→ Guests could play shuffleboard, croquet, ping-pong, or pitch quoits while waiting for their table
→ Has been in an ongoing rivalry with nearby Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket for 'best fried chicken on Route 66'
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit White Fence Farm
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: 1376 Joliet Road, Romeoville, IL 60446
What's There Now: White Fence Farm continues to operate at the original location, celebrating over 70 years under the Hastert family. The restaurant serves its famous fried chicken and maintains its historic Route 66 character.
GPS Coordinates: 41.6758586, -88.0572583
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
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