Part of Forest Hills Lodge facade at Rockford Speedway to live on at Roscoe auto museum
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROSCOE — A familiar facade for visitors of the Rockford Speedway and Forest Hills Lodge will live on at Historic Auto Attractions.
The auto museum, 13825 Metric Road, is using the western-themed facade from Forest Hills Lodge for a new wild west town exhibit. The lodge stood next door to the Speedway before being razed late last summer as part of development plans at the property.
“The centerpiece of the wild west town is a stunning facade that was once a beloved feature of the Rockford Speedway,” museum director Alex Merry said in a news release. “Its weathered and worn appearance tells the tale of countless races and roaring engines, adding a touch of nostalgia to this exciting new addition.”
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Museum owner Wayne Lensing has been a friend of the Deery family through racing for years, and Susan Deery said he shares a similar forward-thinking mind of her late father, Hugh. The facade dates back to the late 1970s, and Deery said she was happy to see it get a new use.
“It’s nice to see that it’s not in a heap somewhere but actually carrying on,” Susan Deery said. “It’s nice to see that (Lensing) found a way to repurpose it with that creativity he has.”
You can see the new wild west town when Historic Auto Attractions opens for the season on Monday, April 1.
“This immersive attraction will transport visitors back in time to the era of cowboys, saloons, and gunfights. The town will feature interactive pieces that will make you feel like you are strolling through the streets of an old western town,” Merry said in the news release. “From the authentic wooden buildings to the jailhouse bars, every detail has been meticulously crafted to create a truly immersive experience.”
Historic Auto Attractions features vehicles that showcase automotive history ranging from Hollywood movie artifacts to presidential limousines.
You’ll find collectibles from Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and features for fans of movies such as “Batman,” “Back to the Future” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
The museum also has Big Foot the monster truck, a stock car hall of fame, a Mario Andretti car and more.
About | Historic Auto Attractions
Where: 13825 Metric Road, Roscoe
Season opening: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 1
On the web: historicautoattractions.com
On social: Facebook @Historicautoattractions
Regular hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
