Prior to the plat of the village, there was an inn three-quarters of a mile east of the present site, called "Tantivy" or "TAN-TI-VY".

It is recorded (with greater certainty) that the (later) central Illinois cattle and land baron, John Dean Gillett, proposed marriage to his future wife, Lemira Parke, at the Tantivy cabin c. 1840.

The surrounding Broadwell Township features some of the finest productive agricultural soils in North America.

The former northbound lane of U.S. Route 66 remains intact, and it still serves the village as a major local road and tourist magnet.

Broadwell featured the well-known "Pig Hip" Restaurant, operated by Ernest L. ("Ernie") Edwards and family from 1937 through 1991.

Until recently, the Pig Hip building was still open as a museum of Route 66 memorabilia, with Ernie Edwards (born August 5, 1917) as the host.

Ernie operated a small museum from his adjacent residence until late 2010, and he died in nearby Lincoln on April 11, 2012.

He retained his wits and memory to the very end of life, and was a fount of Route 66 stories and information.

[6] A bronze and stone memorial dedicated to the Pig Hip Restaurant and to U.S. Route 66 was unveiled by Ernie Edwards on August 5, 2007.

The large boulder and bronze marker were presented to Ernie by his family, friends, and neighbors on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

The village and township of Broadwell sent two of its native sons to the Illinois General Assembly during the late twentieth century.