America’s Mother Road is far from being gone and forgotten.
Originally commissioned in 1926 with the idea being to connect rural communities with the big cities from Chicago to L.A., then later decommissioned in 1985 thanks to the Interstate Highway Project, particularly I-44, the attractions, nostalgia and excitement of “The Cruise” remains,
Though Tulsa played a big part in it’s development, Springfield remains the birthplace of Route 66 and there are still quite a number of attractions both to the east and the west. So be it out of curiosity, nostalgia, or just wanting to get out and feel the open road, there’s still plenty of “kicks” to be had for you and the whole family.
Lets start with Springfield:
Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven Motel
The Route 66 Car Museum
College Street Cafe
The History Museum on the Square
Steak and Shake on St. Louis Street
and further west…
Gary’s Gay Parita in Ash Grove
Hangar Kafe in Miller
Lottie’s Soda Shoppe in Avilla
Boot’s Court Motel in Carthage
Iggy’s Diner and66 Drive-In Theater in Carthage
Route 66 Mural Park in Joplin
and if you drive east…
Route 66 Museum in Lebanon
Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon
Route 66 Neon Sign Park in St. Robert
Devil’s Elbow
and the list goes on and on the further you drive east or west.
Enjoy your summer drive. In many places the past is the present.
(Photo courtesy of photo library)