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September 12 - 13, 2014


Springfield TCI Fall Show

Springfield, Illinois

Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center
6th & Stevenson -625 E St Joseph St
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 529-6626
(888) 707-8366
Fax:(217) 529-4666
All times are CDT


Online Registration

Every state in the USA. This is not true (one source says that only 26 states have a place with that name). Either way, on September 12-13, it's the one in Illinois that should have everyone's attention since that will be the site of the TCI fall telephone show.

For the show venue, show host Tim Fox has come up with a gem! The show will be held at the newly renovated Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center (http://www.rt66hotel.com) located at 6th Street and Stevenson Drive in Springfield. Be sure to reserve your room early to take advantage of the special show room rate of $59 a night. You must call the hotel directly to get this rate. Their phone number is (888) 707-8366. Be sure to mention TCI when making reservations.

The hotel has a good restaurant on site and there are also many other food options in the immediate area.

Show Information

Like all TCI shows, the Springfield show features telephone equipment and related materials spanning the entire history of the telephone industry. As always, to encourage interesting and educational displays, all display tables are free. All attendees are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to share their interests. We are also organizing the traditional "Switchers' Corner" that has become a defining feature of our shows. Current and would-be switchers should check the "Switcher Events" section below for more information.

This is the third antique telephone show to be held in Springfield. If the previous shows are any indication, this will be a very well attended show.

Plan, also, to join us for dinner Friday night at the Golden Corral at 1038 Lejune Dr. in Springfield. We will hold our traditional post-show dinner at Outback Saturday night followed by the open house tour. You don't need to be a switcher to attend either event.

Family Vacation Options

For those with an interest in American history in general and Abraham Lincoln specifically Springfield is an ideal destination. Describing the city, Lincoln wrote, "Springfield is my home, and there, more than elsewhere, are my lifelong friends." As this is where he lived prior to becoming the 16th president (it was the only place he ever owned a home) there are plenty of significant historic sites that can be visited while in town for the show. Springfield is also the home of the Lincoln Library (http://www.lincolnlibraryandmuseum.com) and is his final resting place.

Even the hotel itself is historically significant as it was built as the first Holiday Inn to be located along Route 66. (http://www.historic66.com) The hotel even hosts a "mini museum" dedicated to "The Mother Road." The "Route 66 Heritage Corridor" (http://il66redcarpetcorridor.org) passes through Springfield and extends from Chicago through East St. Louis.

Other attractions are also available for family members, including the State Capitol, State Museum, Military Museum, Dana Thomas house - a celebrated example of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, and the Korean War National Library and Museum. Other nearby sites include the Route 66 Drive-in Theater, Henson Robinson Zoo, Lincoln Memorial Gardens, and the Vachel Lindsey Home. The Sheels sporting goods store advertises itself as a "destination." In addition, there are several large shopping venues in town. For more ideas, be sure to visit the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.visit-springfieldillinois.com. Peoria is just up the road and offers many attractions including the Riverfront Museum and The Caterpillar Visitor Center. http://www.caterpillar.com/en/company/visitors-center.html

Switchers' Corner

We plan to have a working C*Net connection. John Jones will organize the interconnection of various systems and provide in-bound and out-bound trunks for those who need them. While it is not an absolute requirement that all displays be located in the "Switchers' Corner," it does simplify cable runs and helps to maintain a safe environment.

You don't need to have an elaborate display, just an interest in "interconnecting" with other equipment and people. Very few of the Switchers bite!

We're interested in getting a sense of those who plan to participate, how much space you may need, and what kind of interfaces, if any, you might need. If you plan to bring either a standalone working demo or a non-working demo, we'd like to know that too.

After the show, as in past years, some of us will get together at the local Outback for dinner. This is then followed by an open house switch tour. Those who are interested should note their interest on the show registration form. You don't need to be a switcher to attend either event and have a good time.

Please contact John Jones at for additional information.

The switchers' tour will end up in Mattoon, Illinois which is about 90 miles from the show location. Tom Grant identified a few hotels where people can stay after the tour. This certainly will help those who are heading east make a "quick getaway." Be sure to meet everyone for breakfast Sunday morning at the Cracker Barrel first.

Those who aren't in a hurry to get home after the tour might want to make a side trip to the Monticello Railway Museum (http://www.mrym.org) in Monticello, Illinois. It's about 50 miles from Mattoon. Our tour host Tom Grant is on their board of directors so they may just roll out the red carpet.

Nearby Hotels to the Switchers Tour
Baymont Inn & Suites 217-234-2355
Comfort Suites 217-235-6745

Show Schedule

Friday, Deptember, 12

Saturday September 13th

Sunday September 14th

Online Registration