BIRTHPLACE OF ROUTE 66
SLIPPING INTO THE CIRCLE INN IN BOURBON, MISSOURI PAGE12
ROUTE 66 IN ILLINOIS
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Historic Route 66 stretches across the U.S. from Chicago to Los Angeles. Along the way, in Lebanon, Missouri is a growing popular landmark stop for any history enthusiast, tourist, or local Ozark resident. Shepherd Hills Factory Outlets started in the outlet business in 1972 as an outlet for locally made Walnut Bowls. Ida and Rea Reid, founders, began their entrepreneurship operating a motel in the 1960's called the Capri Motel which was located right along Route 66, known today as Interstate 44. ' They sold the Capri Motel in 1966 and along with their sons, Rod and Randy, started a new business in 1972 called the Shepherd Hills Gift Shop which was leased as a part of the Shepherd Hills Motel and happened to be located in virtually the same spot as the Capri Motel.
Later, as they began expanding, they bought a portion of the motel as well as the gift shop and began construction of their current building in 1999. In the meantime, Shepherd Hills added additional locations including those in Osage Beach,MO, Branson, MO, and Eddyville, KY , and brought in other quality products to the lineup including Chicago Cutlery,Denby Pottery, and of course Case X,-X pocketknives--making the latter also available through catalog mail order and eventually on the web at www.CaseXX.com. Lebanon is one of the best places to see the Mother Road, which was officially named right here in Missouri. You can drive a 5-mile section of the original road, and commemorative Route 66 signs will help guide your drive. We're proud to be part of Route 66, and nowhere is that more apparent than at the Route 66 Museum and Research Center, inside the Lebanon-Laclede County Library.
The museum features authentic recreations of a 1950s diner and gas station; it also has antique cars, photos, memorabilia, original maps, books, magazines, videos, and more. Get a quick overview of the highway's heritage, or explore more in-depth all 3,500-square-feet.
The museum is located at 915 S. Jefferson Avenue, and admission is free. For more info on the museum or all that Lebanon has to offer call1-866-LEBANON.
VISIT: LEB•AN•(SN• lebanonmo.org UR contents l1It
features
2 OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
3 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Robert Gehl
4 NEWS FROM THE ROAD
8 BIRTHPLACE OF ROUTE 66 James Powell
12 SLIPPING INTO THE CIRCLE INN IN BOURBON, MISSOURI KipWelborn
19 ROUTE 66 IN ILLINOIS Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett
27 THE GHOST TOWN OF ARLINGTON Cheryl Eichar Jett
34 HI-WAY TAVERN IN EDWARDSVILLE, ILLINOIS Cindy Reinhardt
36 MAKING ROUTE 66 FAMOUS Susan Croce Kelly
40 NEW MEMBERS Robert Gehl
41 BUSINESS MEMBER • DIRECTORY Robert Gehl
48 THEN AND NOW Joe Sonderman
ON THE COVER SHELDON "RED" CHANEY RAN OUT OF ROOM FOR THE "ER" ON THE SIGN. so HIS CAFE BECAME RED'S GIANT HAMBURG. THE SIGN WILL BE REPRODUCED ATTHE NEW ROUTE 66 PARK.
ADVERTISING RATES PER ISSUE Inside Cover Full Page Color - $175, Back Cover Full Page Color - $185,112 Page B&W - $70,112 Page Color - $85,114 Page B&W - $50, 114 Page Color - $60,118 Business Card B&W - $40. Other rates are available upon request, call (314) 965-5751.
PUBLICATION SCHEDULE Fall Issue, October 2014 Winter Issue, January 2015 Spring Issue, April 2015 Summer Issue, July 2015 Submission deadline 8.19.14 Submission deadline 11.19.14 Submission deadline 2.19.15 Submission deadline 5.19.15
FUTURE MEETING DATES July 12 - Bob's Gasoline Alley in Cuba / Oct. 11- Sam's Steakhouse in St. Louis / Jan. 10, 2015 - Alex's Pizza in Rolla.
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Show Me Route 66 Magazine is the official publication of The Route 66 Association of Missouri. Show Me Route 66 Magazine is published quarterly and is distributed free of charge ro all paid members in good standing of The Route 66 Association of Missouri. Additional copies may be purchased for the cost in advance of $6 USD each including postage.Request for additional copies may be made direct to The Route 66 Association of Missouri, P.O. Box 8117, St. Louis, Missouri 63156. Manuscripts and photographs submitted for publication are welcome and should be sent electronically to Joe Sonderman, Magazine Coordinator, Route 66 Association of Missouri. at [email protected]. Reproduction of this magazine in part or in whole, is prohibited without written permission from the President and/or Board of Directors of The Route 66 Association of Missouri.The Route
. 66 Association of Missouri and the production staff are not responsible for errors or omissions contained herein. The Route 66 Association of Missouri and the production staff retain the right (Q edit any submitted materi- als and to not publish an article of questionable content or that goes against the purpose of The Route 66 Association of Missouri. The Route 66 Association of Missouri is a non-profit corporation established to preserve. promote and develop Old Route 66 in Missouri.
missouri66.org 1 JmJ officers/directors/committees
OFFICERS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER Tommy Pike James Crooks Tanya Pike Robert Schulz 1602 East Dale St. 2540 Christopher Oaks Ct. P.O. Box 9623 708 South Market St. Springfield, MO 65803 St. Louis, MO 63129 Springfield, MO 65801 Waterloo, IL 62298 (417) 865-1318 (314) 293-2540 (417) 872-7280 (618) 939-7021 fu ryon66(ci)ea rth Iink. net jimmy52(ci)sbcglobal.net tj p; 666(ci)ya hoo.co m schulz(ci)htc.net
BOARD OF Jerry Benner Jerry L. Law Mark Stauter James J. Thole 1115 Chatelet Dr. 434 N. 5th Street 309 Hutchinson Dr. 1264 Jade Wind Cir. DIRECTORS Ferguson, MO 63135 Wood River, IL 62095 Rolla, MO 65401 Manchester, MO 63011 (314) 521-4255 (314) 440-0040 (573) 341-2932 (636) 227-2258 ~ ben ne r(ci)mind sp ring.com thelaw1(ci)sbcglobal.net mstauter(ci)fidnet.com 66thole(ci)sbcglobal.net
David J. Eslick Debbie Rhew Ted Terbeek Diane Warhover 3311 South Elmira P.O. Box 761 5601 S. Foxboro Trail 447 Clemens Ave. Springfield, MO 65807 Dixon, MO 65459 Springfield, MO 65804 Kirkwood, MO 63122 (417) 889-9332 (573) 433-9812 (417) 823-9166 (314) 965-5751 djeslick(ci)undata.com dprhew(ci)windstream.net terbeektn(ci)sbcgloba I.net warhoverdiane(ci)gmail.com
Robert Gehl Joe Schulte 1667 Timber Ridge Est. Dr. 940 Saint Antoine St. Wildwood, MO 63011 Florissant, MO 63031 (636) 458-4585 (314) 921-1329 (636) 458-4080 fax GJoes99(ci)yahoo.com rgehI66(ci)earthlink.net
COMMITTEES HISTORIAN I MEMBERSHIP MOTOR TOUR PUBLICATIONS ORAL HISTORY SERVICES Kip Welborn, Diane Warhover, Jerry Benner, Chairperson Robert Gehl, Director Co-Chairperson Chairperson 1115 Chatelet Dr. 1667 Timber Ridge Est. Dr. 3947 Russell Blvd. 447 Clemens Ave. • Ferguson, MO 63135 Wildwood, MO 63011 St. Louis, MO 63110 Kirkwood, MO 63122 (314) 521-4255 (636) 458-4585 (314) 853-7385 (314) 965-5751 ~benner(ci)mindspring.com (636) 458-4080 fax rudkip(ci)sbcglobal.net warhoverdiane(ci)gmail.com rgehI66(ci)earthlink.net Debbie Rhew, NEON HERITAGE Co-Chairperson SHOW ME ROUTE 66 PRESERVATION MISSOURI HISTORIC P. O. Box 761 MAGAZINE James J. Thole, Chairperson ROUTE 66 BYWAY Dixon, MO 65459 Joe Sonderman, Editor 1264 Jade Wind Cir. CONTACT (573) 433-9812 1710 Coachway Lane Manchester, MO 63011 Tommy Pike dprhew(ci)windstream.net Hazelwood, MO 63042 (636) 227-2258 1602 East Dale St. (314) 609-6370 66thole(ci)s bcglo ba I.net Springfield, MO 65803 INTERNET SERVICES stlrt66(ci)aol.com (417) 865-1318 Chris Debosek, PRESERVATION furyon66(ci)earthlink.net Director Jane Dippel, Chairperson 637 Rayburn Ave. 7920 Captain Conn Dr. Crestwood, MO 63126 St. Louis, MO 63123 (314) 609-6927 (314) 843-7132 cdkd(ci)earthlin k.net vestaon66(ci)att.net
The following back issues are available: BACK ISSUES AVAILABLE Vol. 22 #2 Sorting out 66 in St. Louis, Remembering the Midway Vol. 22 #1 Luna Cafe's Spectacular Neon Scene Returns, Farewell to Zeno's Make sure your collection of Vol. 21 #4 The Wagon Wheel Motel, Untangling Arlington Hill Show Me Route 66 is complete I Send $6 per issue Vol. 21 #3 The Civil War, Nelson's Dream Village (which includes postage) to: Vol. 21 #2 Maplewood Missouri,Rolla Celebrates 150, Madison County, Illinois Route 66 Association of Missouri Vol. 21 #1 Munger Moss Motel, Ft. Leonard Wood PO Box 8117 Vol. 20 #4 Haunted 66, Devil's Elbow, Springfield Cobras St. Louis, MO 63156 Vol. 20 #3 Drive In Theatres, Bunion Derby Vol. 20 #2 The Sunset Motel Glows Again, Route 66 in Joplin • Include your address and the Vol. 20 #1 New Look for the Wagon Wheel, Rock City (Times Beach) Volume/Issue Number. Vol. 18 #3-4 Gary Turner, Meramec Caverns Barns Vol. 18 #1-2 Ghost Churches ofSt. Louis
2 Show Me Route 66 membership matters ~
BY ROBERT GEHL, DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP SERVICES (636) 458-4585 OR RGEHL66(@EARTHLlNK.NET
ach time I drive through Cuba, a staunch Missouri Route 66 numerous people that community, I can't help but think about Fran Eickhoff. Now attended the Route 66 Efor those of you who have been members for awhile, you may Car Club annual show in remember Fran from her active role within the Association in her later St. Clair, Missouri. Jim years or earlier as the proud proprietor of the Route 66 Lounge. For is a true self-starter and two decades, Fran promoted the road in support of the Association in unabashed promoter of general and our membership efforts in particular. I had the pleasure the road and our organiza- and honor of presenting to her in July 2008, shortly before her pass- tion. Plus, he is responsible ing, the first (and only to date) Director's Award for her outstanding for coordinating our participation with an Association booth at the leadership and support of Membership Services. Now, as I fondly Crestwood-Sunset Hills Car Show event that occurs in August, spe- recall the past, I am reminded that Fran would have us look forward cifically on Saturday the 9th this year. to the future and embrace our mission that she so well embodied. Further west, David Eslick and Ted Terbeek (both of Springfield, Our growth in membership over the past ten plus years was kick- Missouri) are invaluable assets in the southwestern corner of the state. started by Fran. She was always a go-to person to ask for help when We are richer for the new members they've secured, their service to the it came to recruiting new prospects in and around Crawford County. Board of Directors, and they stand ready to help us promote the road, She was the right at the top of the list when it came to her dedication particularly at the "Birthplace of Route 66 .to working all day, from early morn- __ Festival" in Springfield, Missouri, also com------~-_:_::_;_:--~;:;;;:;-lCold Beef ing set-up to late day teardown, at ·'/'.~Iqltll • .J missouri66.org 3 J1r!J news from the road BIRTHPLACE OF ROUTE 66 FESTIVAL, The Route 66 Association of Missouri will have a booth offering SPRI NGFI ELD, MISSOU RI BY DAVID ESLICK merchandise for sale and association memberships. The Festival Car Show is free and opens to the public at 10 a.m. and the awards ceremony, with the presentation of the John T. Woodruff Award to an outstanding booster will be at 5 p.m. Entertainment after the awards ceremony will be Mark Bilyeu and Cindy Woolf. The blockbuster climax of the Festival is the Ozark Mountain Daredevils Concert at 7 p.m. in the Historic Gillioz Theatre. Car registration and other information can be found on our Facebook page; Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, Springfield, Mo. HOT SUMMER NIGHTS TH E LAKE SALUTES ROUTE 66 BY GLENDA PIKE The second 2014 Hot Summer Nights "Cruise In" event was held Friday, June 13 A highlight of the fourth annual Springfield, Missouri Birthplace of - and themed "The Route 66 Festival, hosted by the West Central Neighborhood Alli- Lake Salutes Route ance, scheduled for August 8 and 9, 2014 will be the unveiling of the 66." It was estimated replica of the Red's Giant Hamburg sign in the Route 66 Roadside that approximately Park on College Street on Friday morning, August 8. That evening 600 classic custom, the second annual Best Western Rail Haven Motel Friday Night antique cars, hot rods, Cruise will start at the Motel at 7:30 p.m. and travel down St. Louis trucks and motorcy- Street, through the Square, out College Street, with a stop at Bud's cles participated in the cruise with approximately 6,000 folks in atten- Tire and Wheel, to B&N Auto Parts, home of Springfield's dance, either with the vehicles or just "vehicle watching". The strip is a TowMater. After the cruise, a movie will be shown on the East mile long and it was packed from one end to the other from 4 PM to side of the Springfield Expo Building, as part of the Summer 11 PM Even though Lake of the Ozarks is a short 36-mile detour from time "Movies in the Park" community event. Lebanon off 1-44, near the original Route 66, the decision to salute the On the morning of Saturday, August 9th, the Festival will start roadway at Hot Summer ighrs evolved from outside promotion of with a 5Ik run on Historic Route 66 and the vintage cars starting to Route 66 in neighboring communities and festivals maneuver for a parking place around the Public Square, down St. A Route 66 Village with displays and tons of information on Louis to Jefferson Avenue and down College Street to Main Avenue, Route 66 was set up at Luby's Plaza on the Bagnell Dam Strip. The to be part of the largest car show yet. Last year's Festival attracted Route 66 Association of Missouri and the, Susan Croce Kelly Kirk- over 3,000 spectators and nearly 300 cars, motorcycles and vintage patrick, local resident and author of Route 66· The Highway and Its bicycles. This year's goal is over 300 cars and 3,500 spectators. The PeopLe were special guests for the evening. Other honored guests were, Festival Car Show will include cars from 1900 to 1989, music by The Kansas Historical Route 66 Association, The Oklahoma Route local bands and vendor booths with national recognized authors, 66 Association,The Lebanon Chamber of Commerce and The Route Route 66 apparel, photos and books, as well as local food vendors. 66 Visitor Centers of Conway. Every booth gave out information on 4 Show Me Route 66 news from the road ~ For additional information contact Joe Page at: 573-365-2220; Jeff Van Donsel at 573-365-2460; or Bob Schwartz at 573-348-4053. You can follow Hot Summer Nights with almost daily updates on facebook.comlcruisehotsummernights or www.cruisehotsummernights.com. ROCK ON! ROUTE 66 ROADSIDE PARK BY GLENDA PIKE HOT SUMMER NIGHTS 6113114.PHOTO BY TRAVIS ZIMPFERITHE LAKE TODAY NEWSPAPER. their state or area's involvement in Route 66 and invited everyone to visit Route 66. The Route 66 Association of Missouri also gained 9 new memberships. The D]'s name was Leo Case and he did a great job supplying appropriate therned music for the evening. In respect to Flag Day on Saturday, June 14, Wendy Warner and Melani Biggers from Main Street Music Hall sang God Bless the USA and the Star Spangled On Thursday, May 22, 2014, a long awaited groundbreaking event Banner and a salute to "Old Glory" was held at 6 p.m. in front of was held for the Route 66 Roadside Park to be located in Spring- Luby's Plaza Stage. At 9:45 p.m. everyone was treated to a beautiful field on College Street (Historic Route 66 Byway) between Fort fireworks display by the dam out over the lake.A special treat was the and Broadway. Route 66 Association of Missouri President Tommy -caravan of the" ational Full Size 1965 & 1966 Chevy Club" about Pike and Glenda Pike along with several other Association members 7:30 p.m. as they left Port Arrowhead and headed down to the dam. attended this event. Tommy and Glenda both were privileged to be All Association's members were invited to stay over until Saturday. asked to help break the ground. It was a milestone moment for many A short but very restful night was spent at the Quality Inn. reasons and just a positive outcome following a public input process A joint informal gathering and lunch was held at the Yankee Peddler for the College Street corridor. The idea to capitalize on Springfield's Tea Room. After lunch, we were treated by Route 66 of Missouri Route 66 heritage has gained momentum for not only that corridor's Association member Dave Huffman to a personal tour of his genuine revitalization plans but has also ignited an interest in the Route 66 moonshine distillery (Ozark Distillery). This was much unexpected heritage in additional various ways across the community. and very interesting.Our group was small but we hope it will grow Many public meetings were held over the past 2 Y2 years to gain in- next year if we are invited back. formation and ideas to create a new future for the Springfield College The Route 66 Association of Missouri appreciated and wishes Street Corridor of the Historic Route 66 Byway. Fund raising efforts to say Thank You to all the sponsors and advertisers who made this begin in January for initial funds and to reproduce the "Reds Giant event possible. Bob Schwartz and his friends who organize and Hamburg" sign for the park. Over $15,000 was soon raised and the promote this event are to be commended. They put a lot of work into groundbreaking took place. Primary works begin shortly thereafter. making these events very enjoyable for the entire family. A dedication event is planned for Friday morning, August 8. Hot Summer Nights continues its themes with ''A Salute to the BREAKING NEWS: Muscle Car Era" on July 11. All muscle car owners are encouraged to On Wednesday, June 18, crews working on laying new utility lines bring their cars to the "cruise in." On Aug. 8, Hot Summer Nights uncovered what may be an underground walkway or room leading will have the theme from the movie, "Grease" and the LOZCom- from a former building used by an old Springfield brewery, an official munity Dance Project will perform to music from the hit-movie said. Workers are trying to stabilize it before investigating it further. and Broadway production. In addition, Hot Summer Nights will A video camera was lowered into the hole.No old beer casks were be invaded by the Springfield Cardinals mascot and escorted on a found - JUStdarkness and mud under an arched ceiling. "We saw special vehicle by Captain Scalawag that evening. On Sept. 5, it will enough to know that this is part of the old development that we want be "Vettes for Veterans" as the Lake of the Ozarks Corvette Club to preserve," officials said. It was said that beer was stored in casks un- has taken on the task of organizing the tribute to our veterans. The derground to keep it cold in the days before refrigeration. The brew- Lake of the Ozarks Corvette Club will be saluting our veterans with a ing company, once called Dingledein Brewery and then the Spring- cruise down Bagnell Dam Boulevard with the veterans riding in their field Brewing Co., was owned by a German immigrant who was also corvettes.Hot Summer Nights organizers will again be passing out a licensed brew maker. All that remains now of the brewery is a brick American flags for the spectators to wave as the cruise proceeds down building that once was an ice house on the northwest corner of Fort the strip. In addition, the International T-Bucket Club will be in town and College. The business closed during Prohibition. It will be inter- with plans to attend the September finale to Hot Summer Nights. esting to see what the future holds for this weird discovery. missouri66.org 5 JmJ news from the road DEVILS ELBOW BRIDGE IS REOPENED Program (CDBG) along with a small grant from the National BY GLENDA PIKE WITH PARTIAL CONTENT USED Parks Service and a local match from Pulaski County made up the WITH PERMISSION OF MANDY MATNEY, remaining project funding.Meramec Regional Planning Commis- WAYNESVILLE DAILY GUIDE sion (MRPC) helped prepare the grant applications and served as the administrator for the grant awards. The Historic 1923 Not only did the rehabilitation of the project address safety Devils Elbow Bridge, issues, it also maintained the historical significance of the struc- over the Big Piney River, ture. Built in 1923, the bridge was part of the original Route 66. closed last fall for reha- The portion of the nostalgic highway that passes through Devils bilitation, was quietly Elbow, however, proved to be dangerous and soon came to be called opened for traffic on "Bloody 66" and was eventually bypassed with a divided lane sec- May 22,2014. The tion of road which was none as Hooker's Cut. project was completed 3 Pulaski County is fortunate to have 33 original miles of Route months ahead of sched- 66, and is internationally known for that. The stretch is also known ule. Pulaski County as one of the most beautiful in the country. The Bluffs at Devils Commissioner Gene Elbow were once listed as one of Missouri's scenic wonders. Newkirk noted that the The Devil's Elbow Bridge may be eligible for a place on the first vehicles to cross the National Register of Historic Places.It is believed to be one of the bridge were all from out earliest examples of Missouri State Highway Department long-span of state, and that the truss designs with a curve still in existence and was built by Riley second group of several and Bailey. motorcycles, were inter- national Route 66 en- For individuals interested in touring the 33 mile stretch of thusiasts.Devils Elbow Route 66 in Pulaski County, a turn-by-turn brochure is residents were ecstatic available for download at visitpulaskicounty.org. Alternately, to once again be able to the brochure is available in audio format for listening as you use this way through drive the route - Contact the Pulaski County Tourism Bureau, • the area. 137 Saint Robert Boulevard, Suite A, Saint Robert, Missouri On Saturday, June (U.S.A.) 65584;Phone: 573.336.6355/ Toll Free: 877.858.8687 7,2014, the commu- [email protected]. nity and guest met to celebrate the completion "STILL CRUISIN' TO THE FUTURE" THE ROUTE 66 of the project that has ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI'S 25TH ANNUAL been at least ten years in MOTOR TOUR, SEPTEMBER 5,6, AND 7, 2014 the making. The official BY KIP WELBORN brief Dedication and Grand Opening with ribbon cutting was held despite the rain that continued all morning. Everyone was thankful After 25 years, the Route 66 Association of Missouri will "Still (be) the work was completed months ahead of schedule, just in time for Cruisin'To The Future" on this, its 25th Annual Motor Tour. This peak tourism season in Pulaski County.Thanks go to Phillips Har- year's tour will be held September 5th, 6th and 7th, 2014. The tour dy, Inc., Columbia, who was the general contractor for the project will start in Kirkwood,MO, and will end at the Hangar Kafe be- and to Great River Associates, Springfield, who was the engineering tween Springfield and Carthage. firm for this feat. Tourists seek a part of American history and bring Tour registration begins on Friday, September 5, at 4 p.m. at the tourism dollars not just to businesses near the bridge like the Elbow Best Western Kirkwood Inn located at 1200 S. Kirkwood Rd. in Inn, but also into the cities of Waynesville and St. Robert. Kirkwood, MO, where a block of rooms has been set aside for tour The Pulaski County Commission took note of the bridge's dete- participants. Tour participants can register on Friday night until 10 riorating condition-including severe rusting, cracked substructure p.m. There will also be information on activities and things to do in and considerable soil loss near the south abutment - several years the St. Louis area available at registration. ago and began working to secure funding for a $1.3 million res- On Saturday, September 6, tour registration will resume at 8:30 toration project. Local officials knew of the historical and tourism a.m. at the Route 66 State Park Visitor's Center (exit 266 off 1-44), importance of the bridge. and the tour will depart from the park at 9 a.m. Tour participants The funding for the project was found last year when the county will have the opportunity to make stops between Kirkwood and the commission was able to combine Missouri Department of Trans- midpoint destination in Rolla, MO. A Guide detailing places to portation (MoDOT) Bridge Replacement Off-System (BRO) and look for on the way will be provided at registration. You will also be MoDOT's Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds with a able to take in the scenic beauty of the Missouri Ozarks that makes mixture of grant monies awarded. MoDOT BRO and STP funds traveling Route 66 in Missouri all the more special. There will also be are covered 80 percent of the project, and the Missouri Department information about other suggested stops provided at registration. of Economic Development Community Development Block Grant The Saturday night midpoint destination will be the Best Western 5 Show Me Route 66 news from the road I~ Coachlight, located at 1403 Martin Springs Dr., Rolla, MO (just (see accompanying photo). Multicolored neon lights positioned west of the intersection of Martin Springs Dr. and Kingshighway). behind the glass blocks would illuminate the tower in stunning A block of rooms has been set aside for tour goers at the Best Western fashion at night, creating an effervescence of light that could be Coachlight. Saturday night's dinner will be held at the Buehler Park seen for a long distance along the highway - a truly spectacular in Rolla, MO, where tour participants will be able to enjoy the calling card. excellent food prepared by Cookin' From Scratch. There will be a The restoration project will consist of two phases: first, a total silent auction and information about Sunday's travels provided at the rehab of the tower itself, including tuckpointing, replacement of all dinner. the glass blocks, and a repainting; and second, a return of the entire On Sunday, September 7, after the 7:45 a.m. nondenominational neon scene, except for the big sign. In place of the word "MOTEL" worship service, tour participants will proceed from the Best Western on each side of the tower (which obviously cannot be used again) Coachlight westward to the Hangar Kafe, Again, a Guide detailing the NPS has granted permission to use the word "Skylark" on one places to look for on the way will be provided at registration, as well side, and the letters "VFW" on the other side. as directions to the Hangar Kafe. The tour will conclude with a lunch As in prior years, the work will be completed later this Summer, at the Hangar Kafe, along with a cake commemorating the 25th and another grand relighting event is planned for this Fall. Those Annual Motor Tour. of you who have been to any of our previous relighting events in the last six years know how much fun these events are. Additional information on any planned stops or activities along So get ready for another one that will be very unique.Relighting the way will be made available at registration. For more informa- the Skylark's colorful tower should be a blast - a spectacular tion, contact Debbie Rhew 573-433-9812; dprhew@Windstream. throwback to the Mother Road era. net or Kip Welborn, 314-776-7385, [email protected]. Here's hoping that you can join us on this, the 25th Annual Route 66 As- ~ GRAYSTONE sociation of Missouri Motor Tour! HEIGHTS This was a small NEON HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE tourist court on SUMMER 2014 UPDATE BY JIM THOLE Route 66 (now MO Rt. 266) • This year we have about 10 miles a neon "double- west of downtown header" underway Springfield, and in Missouri, i.e. now about 5 miles two vintage 66 west ofI-44 exit 72 on the west side of Springfield. neon restoration It consisted of four cabins, each with two rooms and a garage in projects. the middle, and was built in 1935 by Ben Brewer of native Missouri "giraffe stone." The business thrived for many years, until Route 66 SKYLARK travelers were diverted to the new Interstate 44 that opened about MOTEL/VFW 1960. Soon thereafter, the tourist court closed and the property POST 2482 went into foreclosure under a different owner. The NHPC partnered with VFW Post 2482 in St. Clair, MO in Russell Schweke bought the property and moved his "R&S 2014 to apply for a Route 66 Corridor Preservation grant from the Floral" business to this location in 1963 ..... and this business, National Park Service (NPS) for restoration funds to bring back now owned by his son John and John's wife Alexa, has remained the former Skylark Motel's neon scene that it presented during the there ever since - for over 50 years now! heyday of the Mother Road - and in May, I am happy to report, Three of the four cabins remain, as well as the former gas sta- the NPS approved our application. tion/ office; and a rehab of the exterior of these remaining structures The Skylark Motel was built in 1951 just west of St. Clair is in process, which John intends to use for his floral business on on Route 66. The unique two-story, white stucco main building the inside. But in connection with that, John has decided to restore housed the office and a few guest rooms on the first floor, and the "Modern Cabins" neon sign that still remains from the the owner's personal residence on the second floor. An additional Graystone Heights' early days, as a memorial to this vintage 66 ranch-style structure (not a part of the restoration project) located site and business that was there for so many years. And he is doing just to the back and west of the main building offered eight more it on his own dime - no NPS grant is involved here. Thank you, guest rooms. John & Alexa! The motel closed in 1978, and after a couple other intervening The significance of the property, with its remaining structures owners, the VFW Post in St. Clair purchased it in 1992 for their and neon sign, is underscored by the February 2014 designation membership facilities. as a Greene County Historical Landmark. As with many other Route 66 motels of that era, it was a com- The neon sign relighting event is planned for September 13. plete neon scene, including a big sign in front (now gone), strip- This will be yet another party opportunity for Association mem- ing around the roofline, and the word "MOTEL" on its two sides. bers, especially those of you located in the southwest part of the However, the most notable feature of the motel architecture was the state - as it will be a convenient occasion for you to get in on the Art Deco style, glass block tower on the front of the main building fun of these celebrations. missouri66.org 7 JmJ birthplace of route 66 BIRTHPLACE OF ROUTE 66 THIS ORIGINAL ARTICLE BY JIM POWELL, FOUNDER OF THE ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH NEW INFORMATION AND MODIFIED FOR THIS ISSUE. BY JAMES POWELL • he annual festival and now a new park honor Springfield, were B. H. Piepmeier of Missouri, Cyrus S. Avery of Oklahoma Missouri as the "Birthplace of Route 66." Some might and Frank T. Sheets of Illinois. Avery made sure an important Twonder why Springfield deserves that honor. The story east-west route ending in "0" would run through his home town begins in the 1920s, when the federal government took action to of Tulsa and the state capitol of Oklahoma City. Despite the fact bring order to the confusing web of privately funded trails and that the proposed highway from Chicago to Los Angeles wasn't farm to market routes. The Secretary of Agriculture appointed a even a true transcontinental highway and didn't fit the numbering Joint Board of state and federal officials to layout the routes and scheme, the number "60" was assigned to the route: the Joint Board appointed a committee of five men to assign the "From Chicago, Illinois, to Bloomington,Springfield,St. numbers. Louis, Missouri, Rolla, Springfield, Joplin,Vinita, Oklahoma, The Committee of Five held its final meeting at the Jefferson Tulsa, Oklahoma City, EI Reno, Sayre, Amarillo, Texas, Tucumca- Hotel in St. Louis on September 25, 1925 and set up a system ri, New Mexico, Santa Fe, Los Lunas, Gallup, Holbrook, Arizona, with north-south routes ending in odd numbers and east-west Flagstaff, Barstow, California, Los Angeles." highways ending in even numbers. The major north-south trans- On October 30, 1925, the Joint Board on Interstate Highways continental highways would end in 1, from US 1 on the east to issued its "final" report and designated 75,884 miles of road as US 101 on the west. The primary east-west routes would end in the interstate system, including Avery's US 60.The report was "0," although US 2 was assigned to the northernmost Route to approved by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on November 18, avoid having to use "US 0." US 90 would run along the Gulf 1925, and then forwarded to the American Association of State Coast. Highway (and Transportation) Officials (AASHTO). AASHTO Three of the five men on the committee had a vested interest in was empowered to make "minor" changes in the recommended the highway between Chicago and Los Angeles. Those members system "as appeared necessary or desirable". 8 Show Me Route 66 birthplace of route 66l11t Between November 1925, and final approval of the system on November 11, 1926, the Committee acted on 132 requests, many of which were not minor, resulting in changes in the route numbers and expansion of the system to 96,626 miles. This is the story of one of those changes. Officials from Kentucky strongly objected to the numbering system, even though their State Highway Commission had tentatively approved the routings through the state. In December 1925, Kentucky Governor William J. Fields vowed to ignore the system of roads designated as the U.S. Highway System and he took aim at Avery's highway. Among his objections was that Kentucky did not have a principal or transcontinental route (one ending in "0") passing through the state. Also, he protested the only east-west road through the state was No. 62, and this was not a major route or even part of one. (No. 62 ran only from Ashland, KY to Ozark, MO). Upon entering Missouri, 62 went southwest from Poplar Bluff through West Plains and then northwest to a dead-end at Ozark, MO. One Kentucky official went so far as to say: "Any tourist who tried to get anywhere on No. 62 would find himself in the middle of the Ozarks with nowhere to go." Kentucky wanted either route No. 50 or 60 to be established through Louisville, Lexington and Ashland, KY,and then continued eastward to Newport News, VA, the then-designated path of U.S. 62 and 52. Kentucky pulled out all the stops in taking its case to the Bureau of Public Roads and AASHTO, with Governor Fields enlisting the aid of their U.S. Representatives, an outside consultant, the Kentucky Good • Roads Association, and others. On January 2, 1926, Kentucky formally "rejected the routing and numbering of interstate highways by the Joint Board", and on January 14, 1926, Governor Fields spoke before the meeting of the Executive Committee of AASHTO in Chicago to make his case. The barrage did not work, however, and Kentucky seemed to have lost the battle. On that same day, the Executive Committee of AAS- HTO voted "That Route 62 be extended to Newport News, Virginia, and other conflicting numbers changed." This would have resulted in a continuous Route 62 from Newport News to Ozark, absorbing then- designated Route 52 to Ashland, KY. Kentucky, however, refused to surrender. On January 25, 1926, Governor Fields and a Congressional delegation from Kentucky met in Washington, D.C. with Thomas H. MacDonald - Chief of the Bureau of Public Roads, and E. W. James - Chief of the Division of Design of the Bureau of Public Roads. They persuaded them to change the proposed Route 62, as described in the preceding paragraph, to Route 60. Previ- ously designated Route 60 from Chicago to Los Angeles was changed to Route 62! In February 1926, Missouri and Oklahoma were notified of the change and a verbal battle royal ensued! Principal "combatants" were B. H. Piepmeier - Chief Engineer of the Missouri State Highway Commis- sion, and Cyrus S. Avery - Chairman of the Oklahoma Department of Highways, versus MacDonald, James and W C. Markham - Executive Secretary of AASHTO. Avery and Piepmeier were livid about the change in numbers, and , , " , NO' voiced their anger in no uncertain terms to MacDonald and Markham. Based on their correspondence in February 1926, they were adamant that a number other than 60 would not be accepted. MISSOURI PRINTED OVER 600,000 COPIES OF THE OFFICIAL STATEROAD MAP IN 1926, SHOWING US 60 RUNNING ACROSS THE STATE FROM ST.LOUIS TO JOPLIN. missouri66.org 9 00 birthplace of route 66 Avery's feelings are summarized in a telegram to Markham numbered "60-N" and afford sufficient distinction between the dated February 8,1926: two routes without encumbering our transcontinental route with "IF ROUTES ARE TO BE CHANGED THIS WAY WITHOUT the letter "E." ANY NOTICE TO STATES OR TO EXECUTIVE COMMIT- "..., our Governor and State Highway Commission consider it TEE YOU ARE MAKING A JOKE OF THE INTERSTATE would be an injustice to Kentucky not to have one route ending HIGHWAY STOP I CAN THINK OF NOTHING MORE UN- in "0" without its being marked "E"; and will not be satisfied with FAIR TO THE ORIGINAL MARKING COMMITTEE THAN this discrimination." TO MAKE THIS CHANGE OUTSIDE OF A MEETING OF Avery went to see Piepmeier at John T. Woodruff's office in THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STOP ...WE SHALL IN- Springfield on April 30, 1926. Woodruff was a booster of Ozarks SIST ON ROUTE 60 FROM CHICAGO TO LOS ANGELES" tourism and good roads who was also President of the Springfield MacDonald, Markham and James attempted to broker a Chamber of Commerce ... According to the Springfield Leader for compromise, but to no avail. In fact, they made a valiant effort to April 30, 1926, Piepmeier was in town to determine the routing of convince Avery and Piepmeier to make the change. Proposals were Route 14 (later U.S. 66) from Strafford to Springfield, designate even made to "dual" mark Route 60 - calling it "60 East" from Springfield to Newport News, and "60 North" from Springfield to Chicago. This, of course, was unacceptable to Avery and Piepmei- er. So the battle raged on unabated and Kentucky shot back. E. N. Todd wrote to AASHTO on April 21, 1926:. ~ Sf'RI~Cf IElP Ul$SOtlU APf'll 31 1926 "We assumed ...that the question ofU. S. Routing through BU~(J.U or Pun ROAD' Kentucky was practically settled. Recent dispatches from Wash- ~.r.n( THCHJ.\S H VCDO'iAUI n5H1l lie ington indicate that this question is still being discussed and that Rir. ••nD• UI{; CHI o\CO lOSAfiG(U$ ROAD If CALIfORNIA AAlt.!U IllElIiIlxlco AHll ILLINOIS _ILL A.CC£PT SIXTY SIX ."STUD 01 sun M ARE 1"tCl,IID the committee now is considering numbering this route from TO o\~~([ TOTHIS t!H"'I::;( lit PA£rtR SixTY SIXTO SIXTY TWO Newport News to Springfield, Mo. as "60-E" and the other branch 41f(", PI[P~\[t£" running to Chicago as "60-N". "We would suggest that this state consider it unnecessary to - number this Route 60-E" when the other comparatively short • branch running from Springfield, Mo. to Chicago can be simply AVERY AND PIEPMEIER'S HISTORIC TELEGRAM. WeB' 81de Square. Springfield, Mo. -- •.... SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI ATTHE DAWN OFTHE ROUTE 66 ERA. 10 Show Me Route 66 birthplace of route 66 ~ Glensrone Road (Avenue) as part of the State Highway System, "Please be informed that the Executive Committee has settled "to confer with representatives of the Oklahoma highway depart- a controversy oflong standing in reference ro the use of Number • rnent in regard ro connecting the Missouri highways which have 60 by assigning Number 60 to the route from Virginia Beach to been designated United States roads with extensions of the same Springfield, Mo. and Number 66 to the route from Chicago to national highways through Oklahoma." Los Angeles. Route Number 66 is identical with former Number John Page, the Chief Engineer of Oklahoma was at that meet- 60." ing and noticed that the catchy sounding "66" was still unused. It's a good thing the controversy was settled, because "Get Your Kicks on Route 60" just doesn't have the same ring to it! On April 30, 1926, Avery and Piepmeier sent the following And "Phillips 60" Gasoline probably would not have been as telegram from Springfield, Mo., to MacDonald: successful. In July, 1926, Avery came ro Springfield again as a "REGARDINGCHICAGO LOS ANGELES ROADIF guest of John T. Woodruff, at the opening of his Kenrwood Arms CALIFORNIAARIZONA NEW MEXICO AND ILLINOIS Hotel. Their meeting led ro formation of the US 66 Highway As- WILL ACCEPT SIXTY SIX INSTEAD OF SIXTY WE ARE sociation ro promote the highway and Woodruff became its first INCLINED TO AGREE TO THISCHANGE WE PREFER president. SIXTY SIX TO SIXTY TWO" The US 66 Highway Association made sure Route 66 went Thus, Springfield, MO, the town from which Avery and down in history, but all the key players in creating the route - Piepmeier sent the first recorded reference ro the road "Sixty-Six", Avery, Page, Piepmeier and Fields - were all out of office shortly becomes the birthplace of Route 66! after final approval of U.S. Numbered Highway System on No- vember 11, 1926. Avery was forced from office in Oklahoma on On July 23, 1926, Markham sent the following letter to the January 27, 1927. His staff was also quickly dismissed, with John Executive Committee of AASHTO: Page being discharged on May 171927. In Missouri, Piepmeier "We have just received a letter from the State Highway De- offered his own resignation in late December 1926, and left in partment of Kentucky advising us that in the controversy which late January 1927. (He had offers for private practice in civil has been running for some time concerning the numbering of the engineering.) And in Kentucky, Governor Fields lacked party route east and west through Kentucky, if you will assign number support for a second term, and left office in 1927. 60 to the route from the Atlantic Coast to Springfield, Missouri, Documentation for this article was made possible through Kentucky will then be satisfied with the assignment of number 66 the research efforts of Susan Croce Kelly and Quinta Scott for to the route from Chicago via Springfield, Missouri to Los Ange- their book - Route 66: The Highway and Its People;Arthur les, as requested by the State Highway departments of Missouri Krim - who first unraveled the mystery; Tom Snyder - Founder and Oklahoma, and acquiesced in by the State of Illinois." of the U.S. Route 66 Association; and Richard F. Weingroff of On August 11,1926, Markham sent the following letter to the Federal Highway Administration - who furnished a copy the state highway departments of the eight Route 66 states, of the original files on this matter. plus Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia: missouri66.org 11 SLI PPI NG INTO THE CIRCLE INN IN BOURBON, MISSOURI BY KIP WELBORN EVERY ROADIE HAS A FAVORITE STOP ON ROUTE 66. SO MUCH EFFORT IS PLACED IN THOSE PLACES BYTHOSE WHO, IN THE WORDS OF MICHAEL WALLIS, ARE JUST "TRYING TO MAKE A BUCK", TRYING TO EARN THEIR KEEP, ALONG ROUTE 66. nd then there is the "old shoe" in my mind a term of honor for a place one can rerum co rime and again co share stories A with someone who offers a kind ear and serves up a grear meal. That's a perfect description for the Circle Inn (N) Malt Shop in Bourbon. One fan wrote about the Circle Inn: "It is a wide spoc in the road. You round the bend and there it is. It looks like a diner that someone built a prefab around. An elongated shack with a sign that looks like it will fall off someday. A newer sign co the righr and sticking above the cop is a big "Food" sign co draw folks from the viaduct, Cars are parked on both sides of the road with hungry folks ready co gec in. You know it is good." The Circle Inn is not a place for glicz or glamour. It is not a place that has flowers on the cables and it is not a smoke free environment. Three generacions of the Ware family have run the place since it opened in 1956. According co Bob Gehl, the Director of Member- ship Services for the Route 66 Association of Missouri: "The Circle 2 Show Me Route 66 bourbon and the circle inn l1tft N is one of the prime examples of the Route 66 experience - nice of St. Cloud", and was referenced as "Bourbon Turners" on the people, no pretensions, good food at a fair price, and a place to train schedules. The name was eventually reduced to Bourbon, ap- linger if just for a moment or two before heading back to the road. parently making it the only town in the United States named after Circle N is the essence of the Route 66 experience. It's uniquely the liquor. American. It's quintessential Route 66." The Bourbon Hotel was one of the earliest businesses along Bourbon is like many Route 66 towns. It has a lot of history, the Main Street, which ran parallel to the railroad tracks. The and has seen its ups and downs. From humble beginnings along establishment, as cited in the "History of Bourbon" was more than the Frisco Railroad, Bourbon grew to be a vibrant community. a Hotel. "Grandma" Wilmesherr would make fine meals daily, Bourbon did lose a lot when the Railroad and Route 66 passed it and serve them in the banquet room.There was a washroom, a by; however, the residents forged ahead. The town has survived smokehouse for curing meats, and bins full of apples, turnips and and prospered; with the folks at the Circle Inn sitting right on Old potatoes. Apple Butter was made there in season as well. And, of Highway 66 watching it all happen. course, there were rooms, with different rates for traveling sales- (NOTE: Much of the following information came from the men. book "Bourbon, Missouri: Celebrating 150years, 1853-2003", The family also operated Wilmesherr Brothers General Store, published by the Bourbon Boosters Club It is available at which opened in the 1890s along Main Street. A true general Bremer Hardware) store, it offered everything from clothes, eye glasses, and ice cream Bourbon was founded in 1853 along the newly constructed to caskets on the second Hoor, There were even spittoons on the railroad that became the Frisco. The original railroad stop was to Hoor for those so disposed. The Bourbon Roller Millon Pine be named St. Cloud. But engineers determined the grade there Street was built in the late 1800s. It utilized cylindrical rollers to was too steep, and the station site would be located a mile west, grind grain into flour, It was in operation until 1926, when it was where Bourbon is today. destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and remained a Rour mill until the Local lore says Bourbon got its name courtesy of George late 1940s when it was converted into a feed mill. Turner, who opened a general store along the railroad tracks. The turn of the century brought more growth to Bourbon. Turner put a barrel of Bourbon on the porch of the store to lure One of the businesses that remain to this day is Bremer Hardware. the Irish and Scottish workers who were building the railroad. Bremer Hardware was and is still family owned, "selling hardware, According to the Bourbon city website, when the post office was lumber and housewares since 1915." Joseph Bremer traded his created in 1853, the settlement was called "Bourbon in the Village farm for business. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1926 and 26-year missouri66.org 13 JmJ bourbon and the circle inn old Marcus Bremer is part of the fifth generation to run the family Wheel Motel in Cuba, and the entryway to Camp Mihaska near business. Bourbon. In the late 1920s, he created a Route 66 landmark with Both the Bremer Hardware and the Rolling Mill were burned a stone arch entryway to his diary farm that is every bit as memo- as a result of the actions of the Ku Klux Klan attempting to rable and ornate as the Wagon Wheel itself. It is constructed of establish itself in Bourbon. Despite the destruction, the people of "Giraffe Rock", with the curved mortar ridge running berween the Bourbon did not allow the Klan to prevail. stones. Alice Bremer of Bremer Hardware has long been active in The path of Route 66 through Bourbon was improved with the City of Bourbon. So was her late husband, Warder Bremer, concrete or gravel by 1927 and a whole new business district grandson of Joseph Bremer. Alice is one of the "Bourbon sprouted along its path on Chestnut Street (now Old Highway Boosters" that brought the "History of Bourbon" to fruition. 66). The construction of Route 66 provided more opportunity, Both have been honored as Bourbon Citizen of the Year. Alice with workers being recruited locally, farmers providing horse Bremer and Emma Dunn also purchased the local paper and made teams and wagons, and homeowners providing shelter. it the Bourbon Beacon, "For the news you are seeking, get the According to Dennis Klontz, who I shared some space with at Beacon." Alice remembers one of the first stories was the big fire the Circle Inn one Tuesday afternoon, Route 66 brought a lot of that destroyed the MFA Feed Store. She can still be found at her traffic, hustle and bustle to Bourbon. One of the better known post at Bremer hardware. businesses was the Roedemeier Service Station. Roedemeier's was The Paramount Cap Company opened a factory at Bourbon in opened prior to Route 66 passing through.It was sold to Oscar 1936. Owners Simon and William Rubenstein, were looking for Roedemeier, who ran the station for 40 years. Like many business- locations in rural Missouri. The people of Bourbon, represented men along Route 66, Oscar was a jack of all trades: he ran a gas by Bourbon Enterprises, Inc., were looking for jobs. The company station, garage, restaurant, and Greyhound Bus Stop. Next to Ro- has grown to become the largest manufacturer of hats and caps in edemeier's was Sweeney's Steak House, which opened up in 1954, the country. serving up steaks, hot beef and gravy and chocolate pie with nuts. Leo Friesenham ran a construction company that, among its As travelers enter Bourbon from the east, they spot a major accomplishments, included the construction of the iconic Wagon landmark, a water tower that looks like it got a bit short changed. 14 Show Me Route 66 bourbon and the circle inn ~ This water tower was built in 1929 and proudly displays the town food in the back. Hence, the "Circle" Inn got its name. name "Bourbon," providing a favorite photo opportunity. In 1973, Bud and Rosella Ware sold the restaurant to their son, According to Skip Curtis, businesses headed west from Bour- Bob Ware. Bob worked at the Circle Inn from 1961 until he went bon included Marge and Bernie's Filling Station and Lunch Room, into the Military and was trained as a mechanic. After leaving the operated by Bernie Suttmueller and named after his two daughters military in the early 70s, Bob Ware returned to Bourbon where who helped operate the pumps until it closed in 1952. Alex and he worked at a garage until he purchased the Circle Inn from his Edith Mortenson opened the Bourbon Lodge and cabins in 1932. parents. Bob ran the Circle N until 2011. The main building is now a private home but the cabins have From the Circle N, Bob saw Bourbon go through its highs, but crumbled. In 1948, the Mortenson's relocated to the top of the also its lows. The fortunes of the Frisco Railroad ebbed and the old hill and opened the Hi Hill Cabins and Station. Jewell and Lillian depot was torn down in 1969. By this time the business district Heitman owned it from 1947 until 1955. The main building still had literally done an "about face." The backs of the buildings were stands. converted to fronts on Pine Street, leaving the former Main Street The Circle Inn opened in 1956, just before Bourbon was looking more like a back alley. bypassed. The original owners were Estel (Bud) and Rosella Ware. The status of the old Bourbon Hotel was a metaphor for these According to Justin Ware, the current co-owner of the Circle Inn times. It operated briefly as a home for senior citizens before it was with his brother, Josh, Bud and Rosella purchased the restaurant closed down. It has fallen into disrepair and looks like a haunted from Morris Kimberling and Walt Weber in 1956. While, they house. According to Alice Bremer, the current owners have been may not have been in the restaurant business before they bought unwilling to do anything to improve its condition. it, all that can be said is that they certainly grew into it. At the In the late 1950s, Route 66 (de)evolved into a 4 lane super slab time Bud and Rosella purchased the place, the Circle Inn was, "an that bypassed the town. Bourbon was left with only one exit off ice cream stand that sold little in the way of hot food." Under Bud the new highway and most of the businesses that relied on Route and Rosella's ownership, the Circle Inn drew folks from Route 66 66 traffic closed. Roedemeier's did not last long. Sweeney's Steak and the community. Grandma Ware planted a rose bush on the House survived until the Sweeneys retired in 1972, but it burned east side of the building has stood before travelers on Historic down after becoming the Bourbon Barrel. Route 66 for many a year. Alice Bremer remembers fondly the Bourbon that she discov- Bud and Rosella modified the menu and created a drive-in win- ered when she moved there in 1948. At that time, according to Al- • dow in the back. Patrons would order in the front and pick up the ice, there were six grocery stores on Pine St., all of which are now missouri66.org 15 JmJ bourbon and the circle inn • gone. By the 1970s grocery stores and factories closed, including "Business Member" decals each year, as he all of the past ones the Proctor Counter Company, which made plastic supports for proudly displayed in the windows since we first introduced them shoe heels. in 2004. He kept a row in year succession in one of the east front During these times, the Circle Inn remained the reliable old windows and one of the west front windows. " shoe. Bob Ware created an According to a 2013 atmosphere of trust with his Missouri Life Magazine soft spoken manner. He kept article by Sarah Albin, the the restaurant going, chang- City Government put in new ing and expanding. During sidewalks on Pine St. and his tenure, the restaurant paved roads. That helped revamped its menu, adding bring in new businesses, such breakfast and a wide vari- as Uncle Earnie's Restaurant ety of other items. He also and CDL Naturals, a health added a dining room on one food store. A new high side of the building and a school was constructed on game room on the other. He the outskirts of town, and commissioned a local artist, Paramount Cap Company Ralph Missey, became Paramount Apparel to paint a map that high- International and opened a lights Bourbon's place along 325,000 square foot facil- Route 66. ity in Bourbon. A Town Bob Ware was also very and Country grocery store enthusiastic about his con- opened in a strip mall across nection to Route 66 and Route 66 from the Circle the Route 66 Association of Inn, as did one of the more Missouri: According to Bob Gehl,"I could always count on Bob eclectic stores to be found on Route 66, the Bourbon Family to support the Association with his membership for Circle N each Discount Center. In a world where people boast "we sell most year. He was usually one of the first business members to renew his anything", the Family Discount Center could truly say they sold membership each January. Bob was anxious to get his new most anything! And then there are the old reliable, like Bremer 16 Show Me Route 66 7C's Winery 502 E 560th Rd Walnut Grove MO 65770 Tasting Room & Gift Shop Open 1Oam-6pm Tue-Sun 417-788-2263 www.7cswinery.com www.facebook.com/7 cswinery .~------~------~ ~travel CHANNEl: 0° missouri66.org 17 JmJ bourbon and the circle Inn Hardware and the Circle Inn. the 10 inch beard on the Turkey that he picked off during Tur- • Unfortunately, Bob Ware died of a heart attack on September key season. Justin gave listened kindly and Jamie gave him some 17, 2011. His obituary stated that he loved the outdoors, boat- good natured ribbing .. ing and fishing, that he was an avid Cardinals baseball fan, and Other than a trio of BMW convertibles that showed up as I that he dedicated his life to (the Circle Inn.) Bob Gehl recalls: left, the folks who had lunch at the Circle Inn were locals. All "Personally, I had no idea that the last time I stopped and had something to say about the affairs of the day. They passed ordered my carryout from Bob that it would be the last time he berween the tables, like this place was their dining room. It was would cook for me; for just a week later, he would pass from not a place for eating in solitude. One person had a flyer for an this world. Perhaps it was another reminder that we cherish auction, and the debate was on about the offerings. Some won- those simple moments with good friends along the road when- dered who I was, where I was from. ever and wherever we can." These folks are living day by day along old Route 66, not According to Justin, on the day their father died, both he roadies looking for their favorite piece of eye candy. Each one and Josh dropped their lives by the wayside and headed to Bour- of them knows that they can get a smile, a dish of ice cream, bon. According to Justin, he thought that he and Josh would and consistency at the Circle Inn. It's a place where they can eventually help out running the restaurant. But nothing was grumble and gripe and not get a 'so what" in return. supposed to happen that fast or in that way. I got my burger and fries, a platter of traditional goodness Justin and Josh could have closed the restaurant or sold that reminds one that there is life beyond McDonalds. I had a it and returned to their lives in Bloomington and St. Louis. great conversation with Justin and Jamie and just enjoyed the Instead, they saw that the business that their grandparents had camaraderie around me. started over 50 years ago was too important to just let go. The Circle N offers a diverse menu from breakfast, to soup The place was opened again within a week. Bob Gehl says, and salad, to a wide variety of sandwiches, to chicken fried "Each time I enter Circle N these days, I still expect to see Rob- steak. My daughter Natalie is quite happy to get her hot fudge ert Ware at his post, ready to serve. I'm reassured and encour- Sundae there, but on the rare occasion when she wants real aged that sons Justin and Josh are carrying on their father's heri- food, hot dogs are available. tage. The Circle N soldiers on. Robert would be very proud!" So, for a true mom and pop experience, make a stop in One recent sunny Tuesday I paid a visit to the Circle Inn. I Bourbon. Make a side trip down Pine Street, say hi to Alice and sat down at the counter and was greeted by Jamie. No menu was peruse the aisles at Bremer Hardware or make a trek to the Blue necessary. Grill master Justin Ware bid me hello and tossed a Springs Ranch on the Meramec River. Then, on the way out nice piece of burger meat on the grill. of town, maybe dreaming of taking that California trip, know Larry, sitting at an adjacent table, greeted me and warned me there is a place to share those dreams and slip into that familiar, about this place with a wink of the eye. He was excited about friendly shoe... at the Circle Inn. 18 Show Me Route 66 • o-author Joe Sonderman says ering so much along the route with Joe he was almost sad when the merged with my childhood and young C book was finished, because it adult memories of the Bloomington marked the end of a year of memorable Steak 'n Shake, the Litchfield Sky View trips to research and hunt for photos. "I Drive-In, and the Chicago Skyline," didn't think too much about Illinois at Cheryl said. "As a child, I became first," he said. "To me most of the route addicted to following highway maps outside of Springfield seemed to be sitting in the back seat on family trips. COVER OF ROUTE 661N ILLINOIS Interstate 55 frontage road surrounded Joe has talked of his childhood vacation by prairie. Boy was I wrong! Cheryl and memories also, and how they shaped his I discovered some of the best kept se- views of Route 66. Our similar views on crets of the road, including the town of history, preservation, and the excitement Atlanta, with the wonderful Palms Grill and wonder of stepping into the past Cafe, "Tall Paul" the roadside giant, and paved the way for a real synthesis on one of the coolest streetscapes on 66." how to approach this book. " Co-author Cheryl [err says she "I also think that's part of the lure felt the same way when the book was of Route 66 now," Cheryl added. "Our completed. "For me the joy of rediscov- memories of family vacations, honey- missouri66.org 19 Jlil route 66 in illinois • 1950s alignment of Route 66. Joe remembers,"I had dismissed Edwardsville as part of the St. Louis suburban clutter, but found it had a lot to offer. Then there is Pontiac, a beautiful town home to the fantastic Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum. We rediscovered the pleasures of dining at the Aris- ton in Litchfield, for my money the best on the route, and also became big fans ofWeezy's in Hamel and the Chicken Basket in Willowbrook." ''Agreed,'' Cheryl added, "I've been eating dinner at the Ariston Cafe for the past 50 years, and it's always a pleasure to go back." During the early years, Route 66 began in Chicago, at Michi- gan and Jackson Boulevards. The terminus was moved to Lake Shore Drive at the entrance to Grant Park in 1937. In 1953, Jackson became one-way eastbound, so westbound 66 traffic was moved to Adams Street. The route passes through the skyscraper canyon and past Lou Mitchell's Restaurant, a Chicago institution since 1923.They still hand out Milk Duds candies to the ladies. moons, or other special trips seem a bit magical when combined Route 66 passes through Cicero, once the headquarters of with the romance of the road. Neon signs, late-night cokes and ruthless gangster Al Capone. After passing through seemingly burgers at a diner counter with someone special, or simply ticking endless suburbs, the traveler arrives in Joliet, where the Joliet off the miles all take on extra significance. Back then, our travels Historical Museum and the haunting original Illinois State Peni- on the two-lane seemed to bring us closer in touch with every- tentiary are not to be missed. Neither author was familiar with the thing." tragic story of the Elwood Ordnance Plant, which is covered in Route 66 roadies know that the history and beauty are off the book. It was also the first time they had explored the Illinois the interstate. Joe and Cheryl learned that in Illinois, travelers and Michigan Canal, which turned Chicago into a major trans- have to not only leave the interstate behind, but also much of the portation hub. 20 Show Me Route 66 FOLLOW THE ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI ON FACEBOOK ....JL. like us on LJ Facebook Henry's Ra66it Ranch 1107 Historic Old Aoute 66 Staunton, Il, 62088 618-635-5655 "Phoenix ond little Red continue the legocy" Monthly Meetings (open to the public) Held on the 2d Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at 415 Historic Route 66 West Museum Tours @ 303 Historic Rt. 66 Open on Saturday from 10:00-4:00 -April through September (and by appointment) Tours are FREE,however donations are greatly appreciated We are a 501(c)3 non-profit Genealogy research by appointment Contact Denise Seevers @ 573-855-3644 or ernail [email protected] www.facebook.com/p ulaskicou nty histo ricalsociety www.oldpulaskicourthousemuseum.webs.com We look forward to seeing you soon! (*al/ dates/times subject to change) missouri66.org 21 JmJ route 66 in illinois simply lulls one to sleep here, but 66 parallels the railroad into the heart of the communities. There's Gardner, with its historic two-cell jail and the restored street car diner. ASinclair Dino the Dinosaur figure and Gary Geiss at G and D Tire greet trav- elers in Wilmington. Dwight offers a bank building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the restored Ambler-Becker station serves as a welcome center. After touring the Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, make the circle around the beautiful Livingston County Courthouse and take time to admire the murals and the sign museum created by the "Walldogs." The Pontiac automo- bile museum is nearby. Chenoa is another community often overlooked. But its Main Street is beautiful and Dan Boian's Chenoa Pharmacy continues a tradition established in 1888 - despite a disastrous downtown fire that wiped out the first pharmacy building in 1894. Route 66 in Illinois contains historic photos of all these locations. Normal is the birthplace of the Steak n' Shake Restaurant chain, with the motto "In Sight it must be Right," and neigh- The route crosses the Kankakee River and soon opens up boring Bloomington is "The Hub of the Corn Belt." South onto the great prairie in the heart of Illinois. Before the nation- of Bloomington, make sure to pick up some maple "sirup" al highway system was laid out in 1926, this route was the old at Funk's Grove. The Dixie Travel Plaza at McLean was once Pontiac Trail and then State Highway Number 4. The interstate the Dixie Trucker's Home, which opened in 1928. Atlanta is 22 Show Me Route 66 route 66 in illinois IJnl missouri66.org 23 JmJ route 66 in illinois next and then Lincoln, the first community named after the unique stop offering food, collectibles, and conversation.The great president while he was still alive and home to the partly towns of Virden and Mr. Olive offer a chance to reflect on restored Mill Restaurant. Alas, only memories remain at the the struggles of those who labored in the coal mines that built site of Ernie Edwards' Pig Hip Restaurant and Museum in these towns. Broadwell. In addition to the legendary Ariston Cafe, Litchfield offers Many travelers don't take the time to travel the short route one of the newest attractions on the route, the Litchfield Muse- through Williamsville. Route 66 in Illinois shows they are um and Route 66 Welcome Center, where the recently restored missing a lovely main street and a museum located in convert- Vic Suhling gas station sign shines brightly. In Staunton, Rich ed boxcars. A pretty remnant of the original Route 4 is worth Henry's Rabbit Ranch offers real bunnies as well as Volkswagen eeking out in nearby Sherman. Rabbits. The Volkswagens are stuck in the ground, imitating Of course, Springfield was Abraham Lincoln's home and is the Cadillac Ranch in Texas. In addition to being one of the his final resting place. The life of the l Srh president is celebrat- nicest folks one will ever meet, Rich is a walking encyclopedia ed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. of Route 66 history. He lived it. Springfield is also the home of the Cozy Dog, a hot dog on a The Our Lady of the Road shrine keeps watch over travelers stick dipped in batter and fried.The Waldmire family has been near Raymond as the 1950s era highway slices straight as an serving them up since 1946. Springfield was also the home of arrow towards St. Louis, reminding us that Route 66 could be Bob Waldmire, beloved Route 66 artist and traveling philoso- a dangerous highway. There are few vintage motels on this seg- pher who died in 2009. ment of Route 66, as the trip berween Chicago and St. Louis South of Springfield, travelers can leave the 1950s Route 66 could easily be made in one day. A four-lane highway was for a journey back in time on IL Route 4. The original 1926 constructed around most of the communities after World War alignment of Route 66 berween Springfield and Staunton offers Two. Much of the old four-lane survives. some precious old sections that were paved in brick after Route At Edwardsville, the recommended route turns west 66 was relocated, including one winding through the corn- through Mitchell. This is the home of the Luna Cafe. In AI Ca- fields near Auburn. The brick roadway leads to Becky's Barn, a pone's heyday, legend says the Luna offered illicit gambling and 24 Show Me Route 66 ...... •...... Scan here to Find More Fun ROUTE 66 SOUVENIRS @ FunCarnival.co.m • St. Louis Vendor • Direct Importer • Wholesale Pricing • UPC bar coded for retail sale. • Custom Imprinting Available Call SUSIE LAND for all your souvenir needs 314-503-6088 Fax: 636-379-0596 AM6(}K~rr:: Email: [email protected] CARNIVAL ~ART www.funcarnival.com ...... Route66-Ad_Summer14,indd 5/22/14 missouri66_org 25 JmJ route 66 in illinois • ladies of the evening. It was said that when the cherry on the Ward. These people also provided valuable assistance: Heather recently restored neon sign was lit, the girls were "in." From Bigeck, Marty Blitstein, Rich Dinkela, Josh Friedrich, Me- the Luna, it's not far to the mighty Mississippi River and the linda Garverr,Anne Jackson,Curris Mann, Randy Miller, historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge with its famous bend in Joseph Putnam and Sandy Vasko. the middle. Ahead is Sr. Louis, the "Gateway to the West," and more adventure on Route 66. But that's another book. A Summer-Fall 2014 book tour for these two authors will The authors want to thank Cathie Stevanovich and the allow them to revisit all the special places from their 2013 Route 66 Association of Illinois, who opened their doors and research trips and share the new book with fellow Route went above and beyond for us. We also owe special thanks 66 fans. For book tour details, visit www.route66chick. to Route 66 collectors extraordinaire Steve Rider and Mike blogspot.comlcalendarofevents. 26 Show M. Rout. 66 OF GTON A TINYTOWN WITH HIGH HOPES Arlington and its neighbor across the Little Piney, Jerome, Arlington, Missouri, was always a tiny village with big aspira- became centers of the railroad tie industry. The men would tions. The community was laid out by Thomas C. Harrison float their massive tie rafts past a bend on the Little Piney in 1869 where South West Pacific Railroad was constructing they called a "Devil of an Elbow" to Arlington for shipment a bridge over the Gasconade River at its confluence with the aboard railroad cars. It was expected that Arlington and Jerome Little Piney. Some maps call the Little Piney a river, and others would become major cities. But the populations of the twin try to dub it a lowly creek. Either way, Harrison named the towns dwindled as people followed the railroad rapidly being community after his former home town of Arlington, Virginia. constructed towards the Pacific. According to the History of In those early years, Missouri mapmakers were kept busy Phelps County, Arlington was left with "one general merchant, as county lines changed. This area has at one time or another L. Pillman; a hotel, by J. L. Graham; a drug store, by Dr. A. E. been part of part five counties: St. Louis, Gasconade, Craw- Arthur, and a band saw-mill, by C. A. Smith." ford, Pulaski, and finally Phelps County, formed in 1857. The The bankrupt South West Pacific Railroad was reorganized home overlooking Tater Hollow built by Thomas Harrison's as the St. Louis and San Francisco or "Frisco" line in 1867 and father, James, was once a stop for Cherokee during their forced began promoting Arlington as a paradise for sportsmen with immigration on the "Trail of Tears." It served as a stagecoach easy access by train. Resorts and establishments such as the stop and was the first Crawford County courthouse. The Louis Arlington Hotel sprang up in the latter years of the 19th Cen- Pillman family were also among the early settlers who estab- tury to serve the wealthy sportsmen from St. Louis who fished lished a sand, gravel and railroad tie business. in the crystal clear streams and pursued the plentiful game. missouri66.org 27 find the perfect .reless connection in More than a map, the Auto Tour Brochure has turn by turn directions with mileage- -download the print edition in the style of Jack Rittenhouse's 1946 "A Guide Book To Highway 66" or audio tour from our website- • Saturday, August 9, 2014 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Come join the Crestwood and Sunset Hills Communities (St. Louis suburbs) for a fun -filled day of entertainment and Classic Cars. Parade -10 a.m., starts at Sunset Hills Community Center (3915 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63127) Presenting Sponsor and proceeds to Car Show location at Crestwood Mall (109 Crestwood Plaza, 63126). BENE'-KELLY Car Show - 3 p.m. : INSURANCE IIAGENCY Live Music - Noon, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. BQ]lnsurance. "~jII",""Gooop>nr Food and Games -10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Two games with $500 value first prize -10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (game cards can be found at Route66CarCruise.org) More info: Route66CarCruise.org Parade info: 314-729-4837 CAR SHOW BROUGHT Sunset ,I~THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: 1111111l1li111111. I TIRE & AUTO SER'\I\I:.'io. »=Hills SU··NSET FORD e.277 ,,...,. ~"~tIDn SCHAEFER (~- "')) Commerce Bank •••. ~.;.n- ;,,;, AUT 0 BODY 28 Show Me Route 66 missouri66.org 29 JmJ arlington According to John Bradbury and Terry Primas in "Old Pulaski in Pictures," there were over 30 rustic resorts in the area at one time. Most travel to the area was by rail until January 5,1931, when the last mile of paving on Route 66 in Missouri was completed near Arlington. It was said that the work crew tossed pennies into the wet cement to celebrate. Tourist courts, cafes, truck stops, and service stations joined the resorts. The hill folk soon discovered the commercial value of their craft work, especially colorful baskets strung along lines outside roadside shacks. • It appeared that Route 66 would make Arlington thrive once again. In the 1930s, there was even talk that the Corps of Engi- neers was planning a dam at Arlington that would create a huge lake. In 1940, the construction of Fort Leonard Wood brought thousands of construction workers and soldiers to Pulaski County, creating a critical housing shortage and more opportunity. _. THE ELABORATE STONY DELL SWIMMING POOL, BUILT BY HAND AND DEMOLISHED FOR 1-44_ 30 Show Me Route 66 THE CARNEYS In 1946, real estate investor Rowe" Doc" Carney bought the town of Arlington at auc- tion for $10,000 from Fred Pillman. Carney owned movie theaters in Rolla including the Rolla DeLuxe Drive-In on Route 66. His son, Rowe Carney Jr., was the inventor and patent holder, along with sound engineer and projection specialist Tom F. Smith, of a wide angle filming and projection system using a curved screen. This system promised to be much more economical than other wide angle methods, but apparently its popularity didn't spread beyond Rolla. Smith and Carney Jr. planned to film a movie at Arlington, reveal- ing to the general public the treasures of the town, but the film, "Arlington Secret:' was never made. In the 1970s,Rowe Carney Jr. started an RV park and campground in Arlington. In ad- dition to restoring some of the historic build- ings, he added a playground, bath houses, pool, boat ramp, stables, and over 100 RV and tent sites for camping. In 1974, a front- page story in the Rolla Daily News stated that the place was for sale. In another newspaper article in 1987, Carney Jr. stated that, "it's still for sale." He said that he was still repairing damage from the 1982 Rood. Rowe Carney Sr. died in 1971; Carney Jr. passed away in 1996. In 2006, Leo and Rachel Clark took over the RV park and campground and initially garnered some good reviews. Heavy Hooding plagued much of Missouri in August 2013 and new Rood records were set at Arlington. The RV park is once again closed. STONY DELL In 1932, George Grant Prewitt, his son Vern, and a man named Andres began construc- tion of Stoney Dell, a resort complex built of native stone just west of Arlington. Rock from the surrounding hills was dragged to the site by a horse and sled. The beautiful site with its natural spring had been a campsite in 1838- 1839 for Cherokee Indians on their journey on the Trail of Tears. On the south side of Route 66 the Prewitts built a huge swimming pool 100 feet long and 44 feet wide, fed by Stony Dell Spring water fed through a waterfall. A three-story structure enclosed the pool, supported diving boards, and provided 54 individual changing rooms. Also on the south side of the highway, the Prewitts added a tavern and liquor store, a restaurant, a service station, and a park and playground. missouri66.org 31 MISSOURI STATE PARKS Missouri State Parks - a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources • 32 Show Me Route 66 arlington ~ On the north side of Route 66, the Stony Dell complex offered In 1976, Loretta Ross, a woman from St. Charles, Missouri, charming rock cabins and a picnic area and fish pond. Later on, purchased the property, but her plan to establish a hunting lodge the Trailways Bus Station and Pop's Stony Dell Cafe would also failed to materialize. In recent years, Ross and her son have occupy spots on the north side. In 1946, Jack Rittenhouse in his expressed a desire to raze the cabins. As of 20 14, this has not AGuide Book to Highway 66, noted that Stony Dell, a mile west happened, but the cabins have deteriorated badly and some have of Arlington itself, was "a popular Ozark resort, has several stone collapsed completely. John's Modern Cabins has become a symbol buildings, including a gas station and the office of its Justice of the and a rallying cry against the deterioration and destruction along Peace, store and several cab- old Route 66 that saddens ins, also a swimming pool." so many. Fred and Ester Widener took over management of THE INTERSTATE the complex in 1954 and Route 66 at Arlington was operated it along with their upgraded to a four-lane children, Katie and Harry, highway in 1952 with two until 1967. The Wideners new lanes to the north and shared memories of their a new bridge for westbound years at Stony Dell, includ- traffic. The original 1923 ing in a 1996 interview that bridge continued to carry appeared in Show Me Route eastbound vehicles until 66 and OLd Settler's Gazette. Interstate 44 was completed Katie Widener said,"The in 1967. At that time, new THIS NARROW TRUSS BRIDGE OVERTHE LITTLE PINEY CARRIED ROUTE 66 UNTIL 19S2,AND CONTINUED TO pool was so full of people CARRY EASTBOUND TRAFFIC UNTIL INTERSTATE 44 WAS COMPLETED IN 1967.THE HARRISON HOUSE IS lanes and a soaring bridge that all you could see was VISIBLE AROUND THE BEND ON THE OTHER SIDE. were constructed for east- heads." She remembered bound traffic. A twin span counting over 300 people at was also built at that time one time in the poo!. to replace the 1952 bridge. Sadly, the wrecking ball Arlington was left stranded took down most of the forlornly on a dead end Stony Dell structures in service road. 1967 to make way for 1-44. Construction of the A few crumbling stone ruins four-lane wiped out Pill- remain nestled into long- man's old camp and the overgtown vegetation on the site of the Harrison House. north side of the old road. Interstate 44 took the OK Diner, the 24-hour com- JOHN'S MODERN plex operated by the Powell CABINS Brothers dubbed "Pow- Also in the early 1930s, Bill ellville," and Pecan Joe's and Beatrice "Bessie" Bayliss Candy. The original Totem opened a dance hall called Pole Trading Post was forced Bill and Bessie's Place about to relocate. Vernelle's Motel, a mile east of Arlington. It originally the Gasser Tourist acquired a rather seedy reputation, which was not enhanced by a Court, lost its restaurant building to the service road. The nearby murder committed there on Halloween night 1935. A young man, Beacon Motel, named for its airport beacon atop the hill, closed Eugene Duncan, shot and killed his estranged wife, Billie Duncan. soon after. In 2005, yet another re-alignment bypassed the 1967 He was sentenced to 50 years in prison in April 1936. The place Interstate route between Sugar Tree Road and the Little Piney. changed hands several times before being purchased by a Chicago Vernelle's Motel and the ruins of John's Modern Cabins are now couple, John and Lillian Dausch, in 1951 for $5,000. The new invisible from the Interstate. owners called the complex "John's Modern Cabins." Dausch re- It's much harder to get to Arlington now. The only way in is portedly earned his nickname, "Sunday John," for illegally selling the Arlington Outer Road, which is accessed from 1-44 at the alcohol on Sundays. Sugar Tree Road exit. Only a few short short sections of the outer The dance hall was lost to four-lane Route 66. Dausch did road ever carried 66. The old four lane and Interstate has mostly move several cabins out of harm's way and built additional build- been torn up. Deer graze contentedly where 18- wheelers once ings for his family's lodging, laundry facilities, and a snack bar roared down the grade. Visible only to those who bother to gaze with liquor sales. By 1971, both Lillian and John Dausch had down under the soaring bridges of the interstate, the ghost town passed away and the cabins began returning to nature along the dozes along the Little Piney, its hopes for greatness dashed repeat- north service toad. edly over the past century. missouri66.org 33 THE PATH OF AMERICA'S MOTHER ROAD PASSED THROUGH EDWARDSVILLE FROM 1926 TO 1965, THE LAST TEN YEARS AS BYPASS 66. BEGINNING IN 1934,A FIXTURE ON THE ROUTE WAS THE HI-WAY TAVERN, RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM GEORGE CATHCART'S RESTAURANT AND TOURIST INN. ON JUNE 14, 2014, THE HI-WAY TAVERN AND ITS PROPRIETORS, FRANK AND DORA CATALANO, WERE INDUCTED INTO THE ILLINOIS ROUTE 66 HALL OF FAME. he buildings of the Hi-Way Tavern in Edwardsville were They left the fruit business in 1928, selling the business to first used for commercial purposes in 1924. In October a family member. Frank then ran an ice cream shop, the bar at T of that year, Ed McLaughlin built a lunch room onto the Czech Hall on Vandalia and a number of other businesses that all front of his house at 461 E. Vandalia Street. A few months later, a prepared him for life's next adventure on Route 66. grocery business opened in a new building at 463 E. Vandalia that In April, 1934 the Catalanos set up their new business on E. was attached to McLaughlin's house and luncheonette. The front Vandalia Street, Route 66, as a combination tavern, cafe and packaged of the frame grocery building sat at the sidewalk, but the front of liquor store. They called it the Hi-Way Tavern and it was an immedi- the lunchroom was set back some distance from the road. The cafe ate success. The country was starting to find its way out of the Great was short-lived, and the grocery changed owners every few years Depression, so traffic on Route 66 was on the rise and passing right until Frank and Dora Catalano bought the place in 1934. by their front door.Their business plan was simple, nothing fancy, Frank Catalano came to the United States from Palermo, Sicily just good home-cooked food and reasonable prices. Their opening in 1902. His wife, Dora Sansone Catalano, the daughter of Italian advertising slogan was "Good Cheer with Good Beer." immigrant parents, was born in St. Louis. They were married in Dora ran the kitchen and Frank worked at the bar. As their Beardstown, Illinois, in 1910 and from that time forward worked children grew older, they also worked in the business. In 1950 as a team in life and in business. they decided to expand by buying Ed McLaughlin's house and Frank's business career began in 1904 with a fruit store in Litch- bringing the front of his lunch room forward, in line with the field, IL. Around 1917, seeing a broader opportunity, Frank and tavern. Then the entire building was bricked to blend the multiple Dora moved to Edwardsville where they established a fruit store at additions and buildings.If you look closely at the west side of the 226 N. Main Street. In 1922 they bought the building which would building today, you can still see the roofline of the old house. be the first of many Edwardsville real estate investments for the The house portion of the new building was not used as part of the couple, The family lived above the store i~ those days. business, but rented out as an ap~rtment.' 34 Show Me Route 66 hi-way tavern 00 t.~==~-======--;;_ OPEN 24 flOURS -2-= Paul Gerling, Garry Kesl, Bob Nuernberger and David Cox are being treated by George Lautner at HI WAY CAFE 461 E. Vandalia Street Edwardsville, III. George and Mary Lautner Route 66 The first advertising for the expanded building is found on De- Frank and Dora retained ownership of the building after their cember 8, 1950 when an ad for the Hi-Way Cafe appears for the retirement in 1959. Dora died the next year, six months short of first time. The cafe was run as a separate business but there was a their 50th wedding anniversary. connecting door so the tavern could take food orders and the cafe The Lautner family continued to run the cafe until the early could provide alcohol. The proprietors of the cafe were George 1960s when it was purchased by Vi and Dean Watson who called and Mary Lautner who were relatives of the Catalan os. Mary was a it Vi and Dean's Hi-Way Cafe. The Watsons would operate the sister-in-law of the Catalano's daughter, Catherine. cafe and Clem Graham the tavern through the end of Edwards- An advertisement in 1951 read: HI-WAY CAFE - 461 E. ville's Route 66 years. Vandalia Street, parking in rear. We are open 24 hours a day. We The Hi-Way Cafe and Tavern were never upscale places, but have been told by most of our customers that we have the best they were known for friendly service and good food, especially food in town. Tourists who have been on the road for weeks have their spaghetti and middle-of-the-night biscuits and gravy. After paid us the same compliment. WHY DON'T YOU give us a try. Route 66 was moved out of Edwardsville, it became a neighbor- Our menu consists of tender large steaks, pan fried chicken, plate hood roadhouse where ball teams met after a game on a hot lunches, homemade ravioli and sauce, Italian spaghetti and meat summer night, or folks stopped in for something to eat after the balls, breakfasts - fresh rolls every morning, homemade pies, bars closed. It was not unlike the fictional "Cheers" in Boston as it cakes, soups. Respectfully yours ... GEORGE AND MARY LAUT- became a place where "everybody knows your name." NER - Proprietors. In recent decades, the cafe was closed and the tavern expanded The following year they began to also advertise "Pizza Pie." It into the former restaurant space. The tavern, then known as was the first known restaurant in Edwardsville to advertise the Neuman's Bar, closed two years ago and the building was recently dish, followed closely by Rusty's Cafe which was owned by another purchased. The new owners have embraced Edwardsville's Route member of the family. (At that time many of the Italian immigrant 66 heritage and hope to eventually reopen the cafe as well. families in Edwardsville were connected by marriage.) Family lore says that Sam Marfia went to Chicago for a few years and when he 1he Grand Re-opening of the Hi- way Tavern coincided with returned in the mid-1940s, he brought with him "pizza pie," never Edwardsville's 17th Annual Route 66 Festival on June 13-14. called simply "pizza." The usual toppings at that time were cheese For information about the annual festival, go to and anchovies. www.edwardsvilleroute66.com. missouri66.org 35 1mJ making 66 famous BY SUSAN CROCE KELLY SPRINGFIELD AND THE ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION THE YEAR WAS 1926. AUTOMOBILES WERE AN AMERICAN OBSESSION AND A NEW NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM WAS INTHE WORKS THAT WOULD MAKE IT SAFER, FASTER, AND SIMPLER FOR DRIVERS OF THE COUNTRY'S 19 MILLION REGISTERED AUTOMOBILES TO GO FOR A RIDE. (1his article is adapted from Father of Route 66 by Susan Croce Kelly, which will be published by the University of Oklahoma Press in September 2014) nSpringfield, attorney, civic leader, good roads enthusiast and via Springfield and Tulsa. developer John T. Woodruff had just completed his showpiece When he received Woodruff's invitation, Avery probably told IKentwood Arms Hotel. He was rightly proud of what he had his wife, Essie, to pack a ball gown get ready to party.He drove accomplished. The large brick building with its wide verandah, their comfortable touring car northeast from Tulsa to Claremore, • sat back on a broad green lawn and boasted all the amenities that Miami, Baxter Springs, and into Missouri. In Springfield, he a high class establishment should have: a roof garden, followed soon-to-be u.S. 66 through downtown. About a an immense ballroom on the top floor, 100 posh half-mile east of the square, he turned right onto a long units, open promenades at each end, and the tree-shaded drive that led to the imposing brick ho- elegant Crystal Dining Room. tel already filling with celebrants. As Woodruff's When Woodruff planned his mid- guests, the Averys spent three days attending summer grand opening gala, he invited dinners, probably a dance, and listening to members of the press, public officials, more than one long-winded speaker. At one and an old friend from Tulsa, Cy Avery, point, Woodruff took Avery for a drive to to join the festivities. Woodruff and show off the ongoing construction of newly Avery had met through their mutual designated U.S. 66 around Springfield. interest in bringing better roads to Avery was delighted with the progress their respective cities and their shared that had been made on the road since his vision developed into a longtime historic visit three months earlier. friendship. As the two men studied the highway When the Kentwood Arms work in progress, their conversation natu- opened, Avery was serving as Okla- rally enough turned toward how they could homa Highway Commissioner and had promote U.S. Highway 66 and what they just completed his part in the state-fed- could do to hurry pavement. eral project to create a national highway Years later, Woodruff remembered that af- system. Working with a committee of21 ternoon. "He [Avery] was particularly impressed other state highway officials, and then a with the importance of Highway 66. I suggested smaller committee of five, he had a hand in that we should organize a 66 Highway Associa- selecting which of the nation's thousands of roads tion to promote the early completion and permanent would be designated and marked as the country's maintenance of this great highway." The two chatted about primary cross-country highways. In an eventful meeting in the possibility and then went back to the parties underway at the Springfield in April of that year, he and Missouri State Highway Kentwood Arms. Engineer B.F. Piepmeier had settled on giving number 66 to the In October, about the time that the final map of the national mostly still-dirt-and-gravel road between Chicago and Los Angeles highway system was being drawn up to send to state highway 36 Show Me Route 66 making 66 famous l1n1 officialsfor their approval, Woodruff invited Avery was back to (California, Arizona, and Illinois were absent). Many, probably the Kentwood Arms to meet with a handful of other local road most, of the delegates were men whom Woodruff and Avery had promoters. Their purpose: to see that U.S. 66 was the first cross- known and worked with for years, and they had all journeyed to country highway paved from end to end. These veteran highway Tulsa with a common goal: to talk pavement. men were all well aware that even with federal aid funds and the And so the U.S. 66 Highway Association was born. Together, public's relentless determination to have hard-surfaced roads, U.S. these promotion-minded business leaders elected John Woodruff 66 would not become a national highway in the public's eye with- as the first president of the U.S. 66 Highway Association, and out their help. At least not on their time schedule. selected Avery as the state vice president from Oklahoma. Never one to do it with a few people if he could get a larger As soon as Woodruff took the podium, Avery jumped up and group involved, Avery floated the idea that the Springfield and presented a five-dollar bill to the secretary. "I would like the honor Tulsa Chambers of Commerce should join the 66 promoters in of being Member Number 1," he told the surprised and delighted sending invitations to all the towns along the highway route. The audience. No doubt he upstaged the new president but it was other men agreed enthusiastically. Ever the visionary, Avery prom- probably not the first time-or the last. ised five thousand cars a day on Route 66 once it was paved. "We Later, when the board met in executive session, they hired E. designed Route 66 as the most important highway in the US and Bee Guthrey, an Oklahoma highway promoter and longtime Avery it will carry more traffic than any other road in America," he told sidekick, as executive secretary at the sum of $400 per month the eager group. with "all expenses" and an automobile. The board also instructed Invitations to organize a highway association were duly sent Woodruff to search around for a half-time corresponding secretary, out and well received. Towns along the gravel and dirt track to suggesting he choose someone near Springfield. He selected a lo- LosAngeles jumped at the chance to do something concrete for cal road booster and public relations man named Lon Scott. The U.S. 66. The following February, Avery and the Tulsa chamber choice proved fortuitous, at least in the short term: as the result hosted a much larger-than-expected and very upbeat gathering of of a promotional luncheon in Oklahoma City, Scott pounced on community representatives from five of the seven Route 66 states sorneone's suggestion that the 66 Association host a cross-country missouri66.org 37 JmJ making 66 famous • c)he MAIN STREET of AMERICA) 38 Show Me Route 66 making 66 famous ~ • footrace. The resulting 1928 so-called Bunion Derby, which the throng to the "Main Street Conference." attracted long-distance runners from all over the world and Across the state, however, another road association took issue massive press attention, was the first major step toward Route with what the Route 66 Association had done. The Kansas City 66's international and lasting fame. Journal-Post reported that the old Roosevelt Midland Trail had The u.s. 66 Highway Association became a Missouri called itself the "Main Street of America" and that the new U.S. corporation on April 2, 1927. Even the legal documents were Highway 40 Association had printed all its maps and litera- eloquent, reflecting the organizers' passion for their cause: "The ture with the slogan, "Main Street of America." They objected association is formed to promote the early completion and se- vociferously to the usurpation of their slogan. Both associations cure permanent maintenance of U.S. Highway No. 66 between probably had taken the phrase from early Lincoln Highway Chicago and Los Angeles, commonly called "THE MAIN promotion, but neither the Lincoln Highway nor the Highway STREET OF AMERICA" and to encourage the people at large 40 Association turned out to be any match for Route 66, or for to use the same, it being the shortest and most direct route Avery and Woodruff. between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Coast ... to these.. The Route 66 Association purchased magazine ads and put . purposes we dedicate our best efforts and pledge our united up billboards. It held meetings in as many towns along U.S. 66 support. as would host the meetings. Avery and Woodruff gave speeches Many years later, Woodruff wrote, "We went to work at the drop of an invitation. As soon as they had enough money diligently and for the next few years carried on an aggressive in the coffers, they began printing and distributing maps - campaign to speed up construction, popularize the highway and which only included the names of towns that actually paid dues promote travel activity of many kinds .... I make no claim that to the association. the Highway 66 Association is responsible for the popularity of What the public saw was the promotional work of the that highway, but I do contend that the efforts of the Associa- Route 66 Association, but Woodruff and Avery were always tion advanced its completion by several years." busy behind the scenes, as well, working with city and county A gala two-day meeting in May 1927 brought hundreds of officials to get bond issues proposed and passed so that paving road enthusiasts to Springfield to confirm the existence of the could happen. In Missouri, U.S. 66 was paved by 1931, but it Route 66 Association, as it became commonly known. Cy drove took until 1938 before all 2,400 miles of US 66 were concrete. over with Essie and their daughter, Helen, to join the revelers at Nonetheless, the great diagonal highway quickly captured the the Kentwood Arms. Hugh Stevens, vice president of the Mis- nation's attention. By the end of 1928 people all along U.S. 66 souri State Highway Commission, was a dinner speaker. Spring- were waking up to the great possibilities surrounding that road field's Boy Scout Band and Girls Drum Corps provided musical that ran through the centers of their towns, that road the Route entertainment for the road fans and the local paper welcomed 66 Association was calling the Main Street of America. missouri66.org 39 JmJ new members FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/missouri66 PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING THE FOLLOWING 33 NEW MEMBERS TO THE ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI. THESE NEW MEMBERSHIPS WERE RECEIVED DURING THE PERIOD OF MARCH 18,2014 THROUGH JUNE 18,2014. Your support of the Association is highly valued and we look forward to your involvement in Association committees and projects as well as the enjoyment of Association activities. Our membership base continues to grow with over 925 proud members, and we thank each and everyone of you for your partnership with us. "Welcomeaboard and we hope to seeyou along historic Route 66 in Missouri! • Al's Drive-Thru Liquor - Lebanon, MO • Larry's Service - Richland, M 0 • American Carnival Mart - St. Louis, MO • June Lopretta - Grubville, MO • Judge M. William Boller - Buffalo, NY • Jeff McCallie -Yellville, AR • Bruce Bramoweth & Laura Meyer - St. Louis, MO • Myers Affordable Plumbing -Richland, MO • Craig & Nancy Beach - Laurie, MO • Sandy Oates - Arnold, MO • Crossroads Diner - Mt. Olive, IL •Ozark Distillery - Osage Beach, MO • Larry & Daryl Dority - Jefferson City, MO • POPS -Arcadia, OK •Pam & Gene Ebbinghaus - St. Charles, MO • Joyce Ragland -Springfield, MO • Donald Ellsworth - St. Louis, MO • JR, Tonya,Dalton, Garrett & Christina Reiter - Camdenton, MG •Bill & Vicky Ferretti - Sunrise Beach, MO • Donovan Rook - Richmond Heights, MO • Curtis Gobeli - Woodbury, MN • James M. Rook, Jr. - Panama City, FL • Dan Harriman -Springfield, MO • Tim & Ami Seener - Labadie, M 0 • Chris Houghton - Linn Creek, MO • Spencer's Grill- Kirkwood, MO • Timothy Hunt - Merriam, KS • TownePlace Suites by Marriott Joplin - Joplin, MO •Harvey Jungerman - Mayview, MO • Ed Welker - St. Louis, MO • Kirkwood Police Department -Kirkwood, MO • Gene & Becky White -Baldwin City, KS • Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau - Osage Beach, MO This New Members Report was prepared by Robert Gehl, Director of Membership Services. if you were a new member during this time period and your name does not appear here, please contact me at (636) 458-4585 or [email protected] and you will be included in the next edition of this report. ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI MEMBERSH IP LEVELS (check one) MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION o Individual Member - $251 Year Joint / Family Member - $30 1Year Na m e (s): _ o o Business / Organization / Municipality Member - $50 1Year Business I Organization I International Member - $751 Year M u n ic ipa Iity: _ o Address: _ In addition to my membership, I would like to help support the Association's preservation efforts by contributing to: City ISta te IZi p: _ o GENERAL PRESERVATION FUND: 0 $10 0 $25 0$50 cr L_ Home Ph 0ne: _ o NEON HERITAGE PRESERVATION FUND: 0$100$250$500.$ _ Busin ess Ph 0 n e: _ FOR ASSN USE ONLY Cell Ph 0ne: _ Email: _ The Route 66 Association of Missouri is a SOI(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Route 66 Association of Missouri Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. P.O. Box 8117, St. Louis, MO 63156 PLEASE VISIT AND SUPPORT OUR VALUED BUSINESS MEMBERS business members directory l1It List maintained by Robert Gehl, Director, Membership Services. Updated at of June 30,2014. STONE'S THROW DINNER THEATRE HUDDLE HOUSE #541 MISSOURI Best Dinner Theatre on Route 66 - (417) 358-9665 Any Meal, Anytime! Open 24/7 (573) 885-0043 AVILLA,MO WHITE ROSE WINERY, RESTAURANT, AVILLA POST OFFICE BUILDING BED & BREAKFAST JIM MONTGOMERY'S BODY & PAINT Mail your Rt. 66 postcards here! "Fine Wine, Elegant Dining, Unforgettable Full Service Body Shoe & Painting - (Former Bonk of Avilla 1915-1944) Bed & Breakfast" - www.whiterosebed-breakfast.com Flatbed Wrecker ServIce - (573) 885-4204 MACE SUPERMARKET BOIS D'ARC, MO COLUMBIA, MO "Come Shop With Us" HOOD'S PROPANE CO., INC. STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI MCGINNIS WOOD PRODUCTS, INC. Serving Southwest Missouri - (417) 732-6632 www.system.missouri.edu/shs Specializing in Wine Barrels HOOD'S SERVICE CENTER, INC. MERAMEC VALLEY CAMPGROUND 24 Hour Service Since 1963 - Truck Stop CONWAY,MO & RV PARK Where Family, Fun & Friends come together! CONWAY WELCOME CENTER (573) 885-2541 BOURBON,MO EAST BOUND Enjoy the show on Route 66 - VisitMO.com MIDWEST PETROLEUM TRAVEL PLAZA BREMER HARDWARE & LUMBER Sto~ & See Our Route 66 "Classic Road Show" Helping Build Bourbon - On Main Street Since 1915! CONWAY WELCOME CENTER 50 Long Mural Inside! WEST BOUND CIRCLE INN MALT SHOP Enjoy the show on Route 66 - VisitMO.com MISSOURI HICK BAR B Q Family Owned - On Route 66 since '56 Enjoy Rustic Dining and Great Food! CITY OF BOURBON CRESTWOOD, MO MIZELL FUNERAL HOME See Our Historic "BOURBON" Water Tower "Honored To Serve Since 1905" from Route 66! CITY OF CRESTWOOD "Community for a Lifetime" - www.ci.crestwood.mo.us 0ULL~LLY ~ISTRIBU~!NG CO., INC. COUNTRY COUSIN ANTIQUE MALL BudweIser - King of Beers Antiques & Collectables - (573) 732-4200 CRESTWOOD BOWL "Still Rollin' After 50 Years on Route 66!" PEOPLE'S BANK PLANET SUB (314) 966-4377 Your One-Stop Financial Center Bread Made From Scratch Daily - (573) 732-3263 CRESTWOOD-SUNSET HILLS AREA ROBERTS-JUDSON LUMBER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Established in 1914 BRENTWOOD, MO DENTSQUAD ROCK FAIR RESTAURANT & LOUNGE CARL'S DRIVE IN "To Preserve and Protect Your Factory Finish" 3 Blocks South of Route 66 on Highway 19 "16 Seats in Heaven" (314) 849-5577 ROUTE 66 FUDGE & FLOWER SHOP • CITY OF BRENTWOOD POLE POSITION RACEWAY Where The Sweets Hit The Streets on Route 66 City of Warmth - www.brentwoodmo.org INDOOR KARTING (573) 885-1121 - route66fudgeshop.com Fastest Indoor Go-Karts in St. Louis! (314) 925-7545 ROUTE 66 RESTORATIONS CAMDENTON, MO Classic Car Restoration - (573) 885-0032 WALNUT PARK AUTO BODY LAKE MEDIA & RESTORATION SHELLY'S ROUTE 66 CAFE "Family Owned & Operated Since 1943" "Where Friends Gather & Strangers Are Welcome" (573) 885-6000 CARTERVILLE,MO (314) 965-2953 SPIRALS ART GALLERY & STUDIO CITY OF CARTERVILLE Local Artwork, Crafts and Gifts - (573) 205-6777 Since 1876 - www.cartervillemo.com CUBA,MO BOB'S GASOLINE ALLEY THE JESUS CHRISTFOUNDATION SUPERTAM ON 66 Promoting Jesus - King of the Road Superman Museum & Ice Cream Parlor Gasoline & Route 66 Memorabilia (417) 392-7405 CITYOF CUBA THE ROSE Route 66 Mural City Karaoke - 2 Pool Tables - Darts CARTHAGE, MO CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR INC. VIVA CUBA MURAL PROJECT ...a family tradition. - www.crawfordcountyfair.info cubamomurals.com / Murals Beoutifying Cuba 66 DRIVE-IN THEATRE Since 1984 Open Fri/Sat/Sun April thru Sept - (417) 359-5959 CRAWFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WAGON WHEELMOTELICONNIE'S BEST BUDGET INN 3 Stories of History - Wed & Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun Noon-4 P.M. SHOPPE AT WAGON WHEEL On the lake...at Hwy 96 & Old Route 66 www.wagonwheeI66cuba.com - (573) 885-3411 (417) 358-6911 CUBA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WALLACE HOUSE BIG RED BARN RV PARK VISITOR CENTER No Planes, Trains, or Freeway Noise Allowed! www.cubamochamber.com Catering & Banquet Facilities Available 1(888) 244-2276 CUBA BAKERY & DELI BOOTS COURT MOTEL Just off Route 66 at 615 NW Main - (573) 205-8453 DEVILS ELBOW, MO Back on the Road Again - Drop By and See Us! cubabakeryanddeli.com BECHT PROPERTIES, INC CARTHAGE CONVENTION CUBA FREE PRESS Commercial Real Estate - Ft. Wood Area & VISITORS BU REAU "Defending Your Liberties Since 1960" (573) 336-4400. www.visit-carthage.com - 1(866) 357-8687 CUBA SUPER 8 ELBOW INN BAR & BBQ HISTORIC PHELPS HOUSE - CARTHAGE Service With A Smile! "Most Historic Bar & Restaurant On Route 66" HISTORIC PRESERVATION, INC. Call (573) 885-2087 for Reservations PINEY BEACH CABINS Open for Tours Wednesdays April thru Rt. 66 Cottage Court - www.pineybeachcabins.com November & Event Rentals EAST OFFICE BAR & GRILL Known for our Fried Chicken & Portabello Mushrooms! SHELDEN'S MARKET MOTHER ROAD COFFEE Store/Post Off1ce on Big Piney River Great coffee on the historic Carthage square HAYES SHOE STORE (417) 35~-8182 Old Fashioned Service - Today's Styles US MISSOURI ROUTE 66 CANOE RENTAL (573) 885-7312 "Keep Cool with Route 66 Canoe Rental" POWERS MUSEUM Open All Year - (573) 336-2730 www.powersmuseum.com - 10% off in Shop missouri66.org 41 JmJ business members directory FOLLOW US ON FACE BOOK www.facebook.com/missouri66 DIXON MO WHITEHALL MERCANTILE JOPLIN TRANSMISSION &AUTO CENTER Collectibles, Antiques, Primitives, Usables "Get Your Auto Fixed on Route 66" (417) 626-7300 BOILING SPRING CAMPGROUNDI CANOE RENTAL JOPLIN WELCOME CENTER Route 66 Family Fun - www.bsc(loattrips.com HANNIBAL MO Enjoy the show on Route 66 - VisitMO.com (573) 759-7294 HANNIBAL WELCOME CENTER KITCHEN PASS RESTAURANT AND BAR Enjoy the show - Learn more at VisitMO.com Celebrating 25 Years! Food-Spirits- DOOLITTLE, MO Live Entertainment - (417) 624-9095 COOKIN' FROM SCRATCH 1 PHILLIPS 66 HAYTI,MO MURPHYSBURG RESIDENTIAL Home of the "Route 66 King of the Road HISTORIC DISTRICT Burger Challenge" HAYTI WELCOME CENTER A Place of Prestigious & Elegant Addresses Enjoy the show - Learn more at VisitMO.com NEWS/TALK FM 102.91 A.M. 1310 KZRG EAGLEVILLE MO Listen to Route 66 Radio Show - HAZELGREEN, MO Saturdays 8 P.M.-Midnight EAGLEVILLE WELCOME CENTER Enjoy the show - Learn more at VisitMO.com GASCOZARKTRADING POST RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT JOPLIN & FLEA MARKET All Suites with all the Comforts Visit Us At www.gascozark(leamarket.com www.marriott.comljlnri - (417) 782-0908 ELLISVILLE,MO GRUMPY'S OUTBACK THE COLONEL'S PANCAKE HOUSE SCHAEFERAUTOBODY CENTERS Grocery - Deli - General Store. A Joplin Favorite Since 1960! - Stop in for Breakfast Auto Collision Repair, Refinishing, and Detailing See Grumpy in our Outhouse! or Lunch Tues-Sun 6 A.M. to 2 P.M. TOWNEPLACE SUITES BY EUREKA,MO HAZELWOOD,MO MARRIOTT JOPLIN at a CHEROKEE CHIEF TRADING POST CITY OF HAZELWOOD, MO Comfortable Suites Great Value! Antiques, Collectibles, & Mannequins "Much More Than You Imagine" www.marriott.comljlnts - (417) 659-8111 www.Hazelwoodmo.org TRANSPORT DISTRIBUTION CO.CTDC) KOA ST. LOUIS WEST 1 HISTORIC ROUTE 66 Truckin' on 66 - www.gotdc.com On Rt 66 - President's Award Winner 200812009 HILLSBOR_0v_i,.M_O ...--ii WILDER'S STEAKHOUSE LONG'S AUTO CENTER to & Across from Six Flags - Preowned Sales & Service STU'S CLASSIC CAR CARE "Famous for Good Things Eat Drink Since 1928" www.longsautocenter.com Specializing in Repair & Restoration (417) 623-7320 of 50's-60's-70's Classic Cars ROUTE 66 STATE PARK & VISITOR CENTER On Historic Highway - Route 66 Museum 1 Gift Shop KANSAS CITY, MO IN DEPEN DEN.-C•E••;,I.o.M;.;..O ...Il KANSAS CITY WELCOME CENTER SUPER SMOKERS BBQ Zagat Rated "BBQ Best Bet" - World Champions DANIEL R.JONES, ATTORNEY AT LAW, P.c. Enjoy the show - Learn more at VisitMO.com • Road Lawyer, Registered Agent - Call (816) 252-0205 FANNING,MO KIRKWOOD, MO JEFFERSON CITY, MO BEST WESTERN KIRKWOOD INN FANNING 66 OUTPOST GENERAL STORE Best Rest West of the Arch - 2 Blocks from Doc's Home of the Route 66 Rocker - World's Largest MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM Enjoy the show - Learn more at VisitMO.com DOC'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON FENTON,MO Since 1955 - www.docsharleydavidson.com JOPLlN,MO KIRKWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY MOTOEXOTICA CLASSIC CARS LLC Classic & Exotic Car Dealer - 200+ Classic Cars CANDY HOUSE CHOCOLATE FACTORY KIRKWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT in Stock - (636) 600-4600 Watch our Candy Makers - Dwtn at 510 S. Kentucky SPENCER'S GRILL COOPER'S 66 A Kirkwood Favorite Since 1947!! FLORISSANT MO Featuring in-house Smoked Meats & Craft Beers at 124 S. Main - (417) 781-US66 ZISSER TIRE AND AUTO- KIRKWOOD FLORISSANT OLD TOWN PARTNERS,INC Full Service Auto Repair and Tire Sales Since 1999 www.(lorissantoldtown.com - (314) 837-0033 COUNTRY CABOOSE Railroad Museum - www.countrycaboose.com HUTCHENS MORTUARY LAKE OZARK, MO & CREMATION CENTER CRABBY'S "Always Fresh, Never Frozen" - (417) 206-FISH THE DOG PATCH STORE WHITE AUTO BODY, INC. Nostalgia Gifts, Collectibles and Decor Serving Our Customers Since 1986 - (314) 839-1114 GRANNY SHAFFER'S FAMILY RESTAURANT "Tastes Homemade Cause It Is!" 2728 N. Rangeline LEASBURG,MO GAY PARITA MO GRANNY SHAFFER'S ON THE PLAZA "Tastes Homemade Cause It Is!" 7th & fffinois BELMONT VINEYARDS GAY PAR ITA SINCLAIR Great Wines for Fun Times! - (573) 885-7156 Travelin' Main Street USA - The Dream of My Life - IMAGES IN TILE An Adventure Through Time & History Custom Tile Murals - See Our Joplin & Galena ONONDAGA CAVE STATE PARK Route 66 Murals!- (417) 206-0252 www.mostateparks.com - www.onondagafriends.org GRAVOIS MILLS, MO JOPLIN CONVENTION SKIPPY'S ROUTE 661NN AND VISITORS BUREAU "Good Food for Good People" WATER'S EDGE MOTEL & BOAT RENTAL visitjoplinmo.com A Short Side Trip - Road Warriors Discounts (573) 372-2201 JOPLIN MUSEUM COMPLEX LEBANON,MO A Missouri Ultimate 100 Destination ACE MUFFLER SHOP HALLTOWN, MO JOPLI N PETRO TRUCK STOP A Real Muffler Shop, Not a Clamp and Rip Off! The Perfect Spot to Refuel, Refresh and Relax (417) 588:2320 LAURA JEAN DERRICK, ARCHITECT Preservation 1 Renovation 1 Consultation JOPLIN SPECIAL ROAD DISTRICT AL'S DRIVE-THRU LIQUOR (4/7) 863-1530 ' jsrd(akableone.net Fastest, Friendliest Service in Town - See Our Vintage Neon Beer Sign! 42 Show Me Route 66 PLEASE VISIT AND SUPPORT OUR VALUED BUSINESS MEMBERS business members directory ~ CHARLIE'S FARMS & GARDENS MARSHFIELD, MO PHELPS,M...__..;,O ...where goodness grows for taste. May thru October. BLACKBERRY CREEK RETREAT I KC OBSOLETE PARTS CITY OF LEBANON BED & BREAKFAST Ford Parts & Accessories - RT66 Gift Shop Friendly People. Friendly Place. - www.lebanonmo.org "Nature's Beauty with Country Charm" (417) 452-FORD (3673) CUSTOM LAWN CARE HIDDEN WATERS NATURE PARK Lawn Care - Pruning - Trimming - (417) 588-3448 10 Beautiful Acres with 1853 Callaway Cabin, PHILLIPSBURG, M_O__ Walking trails, Water Features & Gardens DOWD'S CATFISH & BARBEQUE HAPPYTRAILS RVCENTER Serving "Award Winning Catfish and BBQ" MARSHFIELD AREA CHAMBER OF Full Service RV Dealer - Sales - Service - Rental on Route 66 - (417) 532-1777 COMMERCE & TOURIST INFO CTR 1(800) 743-6065 www.marshfieldmochamberofcommerce.com FOREST MANOR MOTEL (417) 859-3925 HAPPY TRAILS RV PARK Historic Roadside Motel & RV Park - (417) 532-6114 Full Service RV Park on Route 66 at Exit 123 off 1-44. RV EXPRESS 66, LLC FRANKIE D'S WYOTA RESTAURANT HISTORIC ROUTE 66 ANTIQUE MALL AT BEST WESTERN Antiques, Rt. 66 Memorabilia & More! Homemade Cookin'just like Grandma used MILLER,MO 1-44 Exit 123 to make on Route 65! - (417) 991-3838 HANGAR KAFE AT KINGSLEY FIELD HEARTLAND ANTIQUE MALL 'Flyin''Farmin' and 'Feedin' - Hangar Kafe RICHLAND, MO "Something for Everyone!" 1-44 is What Your 'Needin' at Exit 127 - 8 a.m.-8 p.m. LARRY'S SERVICE A-Blast-from-the-Past! HISTORIC ROUTE 66 MOTEL MOUNT VERNON, MO American Owned - Next to Dowd's MYERS AFFORDABLE PLUMBING Catfish & Barbeque - (417) 532-3128 VINTAGE CAR BROKER & ROUTE 66 TOURS Prompt and Professional Service. "I Find 'em - You Bind 'em" - Call (417) 316-1906 LEBANON 1-44 SPEEDWAY Racing every Saturday Night during ROCK HILL, MO OSAGE BEACH, MO May-September on Route 66! CITYOF ROCK HILL LINDSAY CHEVROLET I LINDSAY FORD JAKE CULPEEPER'S CATTLE CO. www.rockhillmo.com "Where The Trucks Are" on Route 66! - (417) 532-3114 "The Steak Place at Lake of the Ozarks" MADISON STREET GRILL LAKE MEDIA ROCK PORT, MO Day Trippin Magazine - Vacation News Magazine Serving Great Steaks, Seafood, & Spirits!! ROCK PORT WELCOME CENTER (417) 532-0120 LAKE OFTHE OZARKS CONVENTION & Enjoy the show - Learn more at VisitMO.com MUNGER MOSS MOTEL VISITOR BUREAU Midwest Vacation Fun Destination • Your Home Away From Home ROGERSVILLE, MO www.mungermoss.com OZARK DISTILLERY LAST CHANCE GARAGE NANCY BALLHAGEN'S PUZZLES www.missouripuzzle.com PACIFIC,MO ROLLA,MO ROUTE 66 MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER BEACON CAR WASH Let Us Display Your Route 66 Collection! Come by & see our Beacon Motel Neon Sign! CITY OF ROLLA "The Middle of Everywhere" - www.rollacity.org ROUTE 66 SODAS, LLC - CITYOF PACIFIC ROUTE 66 ROOT BEER Est. 1859 - www.pacificmissouri.com FALL CREEK ROCK SHOP The Ones For The Road - www.route66sodas.com Rock Shop on Route 66 - CREATIONS UNLIMITED Minerals, Fossils, Jewelry, Lapidary ROUTE 66 THRIFT & GIFT Custom Framing & Restoration at Pacific Route 66 Merchandise & Collectibles - AntiqueMall-PacificFramer.com - (314) 393-7996 KENT JEWELRY I ROUTE 66 ENGRAVING 685 W. Elm - (417) 532-1747 Creating Custom Jewelry & Gifts on the Route DAVE SINCLAIR SAND SPRING RESORT RESTAURANT & CHRYSLER-DODGE-JEEP-RAM MUFFLER MART On Missouri's Beautiful Niangua River at "If it's not right, we'll make it right" Located at 100 East 6th Street - (573) 364-5434 Bennett Spring - 1 (800)543-3474 (636) 271-4055 PHELPS COUNTY BANK SHEPHERD HILLS FACTORY OUTLETS DOWN SOUTH CAFE Employee Owned - www.phelpscountybank.com On Rt. 66 Since 1960 - www.shephills.com Serving Breakfast & Cajun Cuisine on Route 66! (573) 364-5202 STARLITE LANES (636) 257-7856 ROLLA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Where The Fun Begins! Bowl on Historic Route 66! MAHLER'S TRUCK AND AUTO REPAIR & VISITOR CENTER "Engineered for the Road" - www.visitrolla.com VALUE TIRE CENTER Same Location for 34 Years on Route 66! "Better Deals on Tires & Wheels" (636) 271-2020 ROUTE 66 MOTORS www.creepinonchrome.com OSAGE DENTAL GROUP Classic Cars and Used Cars - (573) 265-5200 WHIRLWIND RANCH ALPACAS PACIFIC ANTIQUE MALL THE MULE TOBACCO BARN Yarns,Clothing & More! Reservations Required. Antiques & Collectables - Let the Giant Sterling Hillbilly Wave You In! www.whirlwindranch.com 1 Block S. of Route 66 at 125 N. First St. THE MULE TRADING POST WILLARD QUARRIES, INC. PACIFIC AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Route 66 Items, Antiques, Collectibles, "You Call We Haul" - (417) 532-2728 www.pacificchamber.com Knives & Swords, Southwest Pottery - (573) 364-4711 TOTEM POLE TRADING POST,INC. MANCHESTER, MO _ ROUTE 66 RAILFAN VISITOR CENTER- MAINLINE VIEWING AREA Antiques, Souvenirs, C-Store "Since 1933" CLASSIC THUNDERBIRD CLUB OF ST. LOUIS Route 66 Model Railroad Club - (636) 742-1678 Dedicated to the Classic Thunderbird 1955-1957 ROUTE 66 REALTORS ROSATI,MO www.route66realtors.com - (636) 271-6660 ROSATI WINERY MUSEUM MAPLEWOOD MO THE MERAMEC VALLEY "Making History on Route 66 Since 1934" PARAMOUNT JEWELERS CURRENT NEWS MAGAZINE "See our Landmark Neon Sign Since 1946" "Pacific's Hometown Community News Magazine" www.paramountjewelers.com missouri66.org 43 ~I business members directory FOLLOW US ON FACE BOOK www.facebook.com/missouri66 ST. CHARLES, MO DIRECTIONS SAINT LOUIS, LLC SPRINGFIELD, MO St. Louis' Premier Tour Company - FASTLANE CLASSIC CARS offering Day Trips and Tours from St. Louis! B&N AUTO PARTS "We Sell Investments That Accelerate" DONUT DRIVE-IN BEST WESTERN ROUTE 66 RAIL HAVEN NEON TIME Best Hand-cut Donuts in St. Louis on Route 66! Guests Get A True Rt. 66 Experience Since 1938 Custom Neon & Vintage Sign Restoration BUD'S TIRE & WHEEL CO. EAT-RITE DINER (636) 940-7070 Selling Tires & Wheels Over 50 Years on Route 66 Eat-Rite or Don't Eat At All CITY OF SPRINGFIELD ST. CLAIR, MO FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE Department of Planning & Development On Route 66 at 6211 Chipeewa - (417) 864-1037 HENDERSON'S ANTIQUES See Our Vintage "Bow-Tie" Neon Sign! Architectural Artifacts for Home and Garden CURTIS ENTERPRISES Call (314) 795-2612 HI-POINTE THEATRE www.birthplaceofroute66.com The House of Hits Since 1922 LEWIS CAFE www.hi-pointetheatre.com DANNY'S SERVICE CENTER "Home Cooked Meals For Over 65 Years" Look for our original Neon Sign HOWLlN' WOLF HOT RODS at West Bypass & W. Division! OLD BUS STOP COFFEE SHOP "Old School Hot Rods Done Right" AND ART GALLERY DR. MICHAELJ. CLARKE Your Gathering Place to Stop and Relax on Route 66! J. BENTZINGER AND ASSOCIATES, INC. HISTORY MUSEUM OF Manufacturers Representatives - "Surrounding our OZARKS SCOUTING RIVER HILLS TRAVELER Customers with Service" - (314) 549-5510 (417) 883-1636, Archiving SW Missouri Ozarks Outdoor Information Boy Scouting Heritage - Friendly Folks - free Samples PUFFED UP PRODUCTIONS ESLICK ENTERPRISES Puff yourself up with a publication-ready press kit ROUTE 66 CAR CLUB David J. Eslick, Photographer - (417) 889-9332 Father's Day Car Show - Call (636) 629-5445 SAINT JOHN NEPOMUK CHAPEL FIREWORKSSUPERMARKETS ST. CLAIR HISTORICAL MUSEUM ST. LOUIS WELCOME CENTER Visit our locations in Springpeld & Gray Summit - Open All Year! VFW POST 2482 Enjoy the show on Route 66 - VisitMO.com On Route 66 in the former art deco inspired SOUTHWEST MARKET CUISINE GREAT RIVER ENGINEERING Skylark Motel! "Sandwiches Our Specialty" OF SPRINGFIELD, INC. www.greatrivereng.com TED DREWES ST. JAMES, MO "It Really is Good, Guys ... and Gals!" HARBELL'S GRILL &SPORTS BAR Just West of Park Central Sguare on 66 - 4M VINEYARDS & FARMS T.F.A. THE FUTURE ANTIQUES Watch for tlickering Neon Flame! The Leading Mid Century Dealer in the St. Louis Area GREENSTAY HOTEL & SUITES HISTORY MUSEUM ON THE SQUARE Stay green and friendly "Where History Comes Alive on Route 66" JOHNNIES BAR ST. ROBERT, MO HY-VEE #1641 • Coldest Beer on Route 66 ALL STAR INN & STAR RESTAURANT where there's a helpful smile in every aisle MURDON CONCRETE PRODUCTS "Locally Owned & Operated - KIRK WHEELER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. Look for our Dripping Faucet Neon Sign! Home Cooked Food on Old Route 66" wheelerauto.com - "Your Work Truck Dealer" (417) 886-2886 SPURGEON'S "66"SERVICE BAYMONT INN & SUITES / "66" Station on Route 66 Since 1961 ST. ROBERT-FT. LEONARD WOOD LA QUINTA INN - SOUTH SPRINGFIELD Hometown Hospitality at its Best Your Home While Traveling - (417) 890-6060 ST.JAMESCHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURIST CENTER CITY OF ST. ROBERT LURVEY PROPERTIES Discover the Ozarks' Best! "Come Grow With Us" - www.saintrobert.com MEXICAN VILLA EL TACO VACUUM CLEANER MUSEUM COMFORT INN On Route 66 at 316 W. Kearney - AND FACTORYOUTLET Unique Rustic Lodge - (573) 336-3553 See our Vintage Neon Sign! www.vacuummuseum.com - 1(866) 444-9004 FAIRFIELD INN MISSOURI NEON COMPANY Making Business Comfortable! - (573) 336-8600 Since 1934 - Custom Signs, Billboards, ST.LOUIS, MO FIRST STATE BANK, ST. ROBERT Digital Displays - (800) 788-1778 AAAAUTO CLUB OF MISSOURI Together We Are Making Progress MITCHEM TIRE & WHEEL We're Always With You HAMPTON INN Selling Quality Tires on Route 66 Since 1939 Hot 'On The House' Breakfast - (573) 336-3355 AMERICAN CARNIVAL MART MOMMA MARY'S NAVAJO TACOS The place to pnd fun stuff! LIBERTY LODGE "One Bite is a true Southwest delight" 66 Rooms on Route 66! - (573) 336-3121 AUTO EVALUATORS, INC. MOTHER ROAD ANTIQUES& UNIQUES For All Your Automotive Needs - (314) 968-2992 PULASKI COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU Visit the "BIGGEST" Little Antique Shop on Route 66! Tues-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. BANC CARD MIDWEST, INC. Pulaski County - Missouri's Natural Beauty www.pulaskicountyusa.com Merchant Services Since 1997 - (314) 963-1602 MOTHER ROAD MOTORCYCLES jan(a>banccardmw.com ROUTE 66 DINER Late Model, Low Mileage Motorcycles www.WeBuyHarleys.com BLUEBERRY HILL- "Food, Fun, and Fifties 24 Hours a Day!" (573) 336-8989 RESTAURANT & MUSIC CLUB OZARKS PUBLIC TELEVISION www.BlueberryHill.com SWEETWATER BAR-B-QUE KOIK-Springpeld / KOIJ-Joplin Open 7 Days 11a.m.- Wowee!!! "A taste of the Ozarks" At 1-44 & Exit 163, Visit us at www.optv.org Open Daily CHUCK-A-BURGER R&S MEMORIAL DECORATIONS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT Making Memorial Decorations Since 1959 Cruisin' Capitol of the Midwest since 1957 SHREWSBURY, MO Call (417) 732-6263 CREVECOEUR PAVING CITY OF SHREWSBURY REX SMITH OIL COMPANY Our Reputation Rides On Our Service Family Owned & Operated on www.CcpStl.com Bypass Route 66 Smce 1933 SPENCER,MO DENT DEVIL of St. Louis ROUTE 66 BARBER SHOP Paintless Dent Removal www.dentdevil.com SPENCER GARAGE Get Your Kicks with a Haircut at an (636) 230-7900 See Spencer Restored on Historic Route 66 Old Tyme Barber Shop on Route 66 44 Show Me Route 66 PLEASE VISIT AND SUPPORT OUR VALUED BUSINESS MEMBERS business members directory l1m.. ROUTE 66 HOTDOGS DELCOUR PROPERTIES ROUTE "66" STORAGE www.route66hotdogs.com Alice DelCour - (417) 839-2152 (636) 451-0677 ROUTE 66 MISSOURI TOURS JOE'S ROUTE 66 DINER SUNSET MOTEL Step-on Guides for Motorcooch Tours Hand-breaded Pork Tenderloins, A Vintage Neon Night Scene along Historic Route 66! Call (417) 343-1567 Hand-cut Onion Rings & Tater Fries Daily! SPRINGFIELD AREA KEISER PROPERTIES LLC WALNUT GROVE, MO CHAMBEROF COMMERCE "40 Years on Route 66" Everywhere Should Be Like This - Coli (417) 862-5567 7C'S WINERY ODIE'S AUTO REPAIR Fine Wine & Mead in a Country Setting SPRINGFIELD-GREENE COUNTY Get Your Car Fixed on Old Route 66 - (417) 839-1894 LIBRARYCENTER Drive Here to Research Route 66 and More! STRAFFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAYNESVILLE, MO~ __ Call (417) 894-7653 for Information on SPRINGFIELD-GREENE COUNTY LIBRARY 2014 "Route 66 Days" Event CAVE STATE CRUISERS CAR CLUB LOCAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT Car Show the Weekend After Father's Day Genealogy,. Family Heritage, STRAFFORD BRANCH LIBRARY (573) 435-9297 and Civil War Research Center! Cruise down Route 66 to the Strafford Branch Library! CITY OFWAYNESVILLE SPRINGFIELD-GREENE COUNTY Established 1833 - www.waynesvillemo.org TEAM LIQUORS LIBRARYSTATION HOPPERS PUB Cruise into the Library Station to view "Small Store with a Large Selection" - on Rt. 66 just East of Strafford "66 Brews on Route 66"- www.hopperspub.com Car and Train Memorabilia! (573) 774-0135 SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI THE CUTTING ROOM Give your hair a "Kick" on Route 66!! PULASKI COUNTY HISTORICAL CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU MUSEUM & SOCIETY Birthplace of Route 66 - Spring~eld, MO Open Saturdays Only 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April thru Sept. 1(800) 678-8767 SULLIVAN MO SECURITY BANK OF PULASKICOUNTY SPRINGFIELD/ROUTE 66 KOA CENTRAL ELECTRIC & STORAGE Established 1936 - On the Historic Pulaski County Great Camping on Route 66 Since 1972! Serving the Community for 40 Years! Courthouse Square (573) 468-3143 STEAK 'N SHAKE SKYLINE CYCLES, INC. Famous For Steakburgers & Route 66! DU KUM INN RESTAURANT Visit us on Route 66 or at www.skylinecycles.net TWIN MOTORCYCLE & TATTOO Serving Route 66 Travelers Since 1961! (573) 468-6114 THE OLD STAGECOACH STOP Home of the Route 66 Tattoo Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April thru Sept. HARRY'S TIRE, LLC UNIVERSITY PLAZA HOTEL WAYNESVILLE-ST. ROBERT AND CONVENTION CENTER New Tires, Custom Wheels, & Tire Repair (573) 468-4128 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • Full-Service Convention Facility on Route 66 www.waynesville-strobertchamber.com WHITE MOTORCOMPANY ROUTE 66 TEES & PROMOTIONS Screen Printing & Advertising Specialities "Buy Rite From White" - (417) 866-8143 WEBB CITY, MO www.whitemotorcompany.com route66ts(@gmail.com - (573) 821-6845 CULVER'S ROUTE 66 WILSON'S CHUCKWAGON SCHMIDT AUTO CENTER "Late Model Pre-Owned Vehicles Since 1954" America's First Route 66 Culver's! Burgers & BBQ on Route 66 at 1820 W. Kearney Hwy 171 & Madison on Route 66 (417) 862-1101 (573) 468-2233 SULLIVAN AREA ROUTE 66 MOVIE THEATER YOUR BIG HAIR DAY STUDIO "Today's Movies at Yesterday's Prices" - (417) 673-1155 SHANNON MEDLEY, STYLIST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Wedding & Event Hair Design by Appt. Only "Spend The Night or a Lifetime" SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STANG GANG (417) 987-8448 www.sullivanmochamber.com WEBB CITYAREACHAMBER OF COMMERCE & ROUTE 66 STANTON,MO SUNSET HILLS, MO VISITORS CENTER CITYOF SUNSET HILLS On the Route at Broadway & Webb - MERAMEC CAVERNS Cali (417) 673-1154 Open Everyday! Oldest Stop on Route 66 www.sunset-hills.com HOLIDAY INNST. LOUISSW - ROUTE 66 WEBB CITY FLORIST & GREENHOUSE See Our Historic Sign on Original Route 66 STATELINE, MO Newly Remodeled - At intersection of Watson Rd. & Lindbergh Blvd. at 1001 S. Jefferson! - (417) 673-3780 PADDOC LIQUORS WEBB CITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY On Old Route 66 at State Line - MILE 277 TAP & GRILL Look for our Gas Pumps! Where Route 66 and Exquisite mix! WEBSTER GROVES, M_O --.J STOUTLAND, MO UNION,MO YORKSHIRE VILLAGE Part of Route 66 Since 1951 ROUTE 66 COUNTRY CAFE HUXEL'SAUTO REPAIR ATTRISH'S GAS & GRILL Used Parts for Old Cars 1940 to 1980 On Historic Route 66 at Exit 140 off 1-44 INDIAN HARVESTTRADE WILDWOOD, MO (417) 286-4500 On Route 66 - www.indianharvesttrade.com CITY OF WILDWOOD, MISSOURI MASON DIXON FLEA MARKET Planning Tomorrow Today - www.cityofwildwood.com STRAFFORD, MO Open Saturdays & Sundays - HISTORIC "BIG CHIEF" ROADHOUSE BUSHMASTERS ROCKIN RACE PLACE On Route 66 at Junction 1-44 & US 50 Established 1929 - www.bigchiefroadhouse.com & HOT ROD MUSEUM (636) 458-3200 CHESTNUT PLAZA VILLA RIDGE, MO STATE FARM INSURANCE At Corner of 1-44 and State Highway 125 BOURBEUSE VALLEY HARLEY-DAVIDSON Mikel Garrett, Agent www.mikelgarrett.com - (636) 458-5055 CITY OF STRAFFORD Junction of 1-44 & Hwy 50 on Route 66 The Best Small Town on Main Street USA - KLEIGH BUGS ANTIQUE MALL STOVALL'SGROVE Route 66 Antiques, Collectables, & Furniture - (636) 451-6303 Dance Hall, Tavern, and Live Music Since 1935 missouri66.orD 45 1IDJ business members directory ILLINOIS MURPHYSBORO,IL ELK CITY, OK ATLANTA,IL SILKWORM,INC NATIONAL ROUTE 66 MUSEUM COMPLEX (800) 826-0577 - www.silkwormink.com www.elkcity.com - (580) 225-6266 Miami, OK THE PALMS GRILL CAFE Homemode Food - Homemode Pies & Cokes - Free Iced Tea! - (217)648-2233 SPRINGFIELD IL MIAMI,OK COZY DOG DRIVE IN ALLEN SIGN STUDIO AUBURN,IL "Famous Hot Dog On a Stick" "A Sign of Service" www.allensignstudio.com www.cozydogdrivein.com BECKY'S BARN- MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Home Coleman Theatre, Ribbon Road & More OFF THE BRICKS ON ROUTE 66 ILLINOIS ROUTE 66 SCENIC BYWAY of Antiques, Souvenirs, Amish Candy & Jams WAYLAN'S KU-KU BURGER (217) 836-3043, BeckysBarn.com STAUNTON,IL Don't just ask for a burger. Ask for WAYLAN'S DECAMPJUNCTION INC CARLINVILLE,IL Historic Roadhouse Serving Since 1926 SAPULPA,OK MAGNUSON GRANDHOTEL (618) 637-2951 RT 66 FRAME SHOPPE AND GALLERY & CONFERENCE CENTER HENRY'S ROUTE 66 www.Rt66FrameShoppe.com www.magnusongrandhotel.com RABBIT RANCH / EMPORIUM Full Service - Route 66 Rt.66 Info Center - www.HenrysRoute66.com VINITA,OK CHICAGO,IL CENTER THEATRE WHEELlNG,IL Historic Center Theatre on Route 66 SUPERDAWG DRIVE-IN SUPERDAWG DRIVE-IN in Vinita, Oklahoma! HIYA! THANKS FOR STOPPING. HIYA! THANKS FOR STOPPING. www.superdawg.com - (773) 763-0660 HI-WAY CAFE www.superdawg.com - (847) 459-1900 "The Best Little Cafe on Route 66" - (918) 256-5465 EDWARDSVILLE,IL SHOUT &SACK C-STORE & DELI WILLOWBROOK,IL Rock Out on 66 - Buckle Up! Be Cool!Be Clean! Be Back! CITY OFEDWARDSVILLE DELL RHEA'S CHICKEN BASKET Third Oldest City in II/inois As Seen on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" TEXAS www.cityofedwardsville.com and "Chicago's Best" ADRIAN, TX GRANITE CITY, IL _ KANSAS MIDPOINT CAFE & GIFT SHOP "Home of the Ugly Crust Pie" - (806) 538-6379 HISTORIC ROUTE 66 FLEA MARKET BAXTER SPRINGS, KS Over 100 Vendors Selling Old & New - • Find your Deal & Grab a Meal! PHILLIPS ROUTE 66 VISITORS CENTER NEW MEXICO A Restored 1930's Phillips Service Station ALBUQUERQUE, NM HAMEL, IL ~_--...I (620) 856-2066 ABSOLUTELY NEON, INC ROUTE 66 RIDEZ GALENA, KS Repair & Restoration of Classic Cars & Route 66 Gift Shop CARS ON THE ROUTE TUCUMCARI NM The Home of Tow Tater- THE BLUE SWALLOWMOTEL WEEZY'S ROUTE 66 BAR & GRILL Inspiration for "Tow Mater" from "Cars" Known for Karen's Famous Fried Chicken! A Unique Experience out of Another Time (618) 633-2228 STREETCAR STATION COFFEE SHOP For the coffee you desire - (620) 783-5554 CALIFORNIA LlVINGSTON,IL LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA RIVERTON, KS PINK ELEPHANTANTIQUE MALL "See Our Giant Roadside Attractions!" NATIONAL HISTORIC ROUTE 66 NELSON'S OLD RIVERTON STORE FEDERATION (618) 637-2366 Home of the "Hand Crafted Sandwich" Preserving and Promoting The Mother Road (620) 848-3330 LlTCH FI E_L_D••i•1L.2, _ GEORGIA OKLAHOMA CITY OF LITCHFIELD - TOURISM OFFICE ~------....., BYRON,_G_A ~ ~ Where Land and Water Come Into Play AFTON,OK ROADS AN D RAI LS LITCHFIELD HISTORY MUSEUM AFTON STATION & ROUTE 66 PACKARDS & ROUTE 66 WELCOME CENTER Route 66 & Vintage Car Museum / Visitors' Center Located at 334 Historic Old Route 66 PENNSYLVANIA - Open 7 Days a Week ARCADIA,OK NEW SALEM, PA THE ARISTON CAFE "Remember! Where Good Food Is Served" POPS LEES LEASINGCOMPANY LLC Food, Fuel & Fizz! www.pops66.com - (405) 928-7677 Kathryn & Robert Jurosco - Proud Supporters of Rt. 66! MITCHELL,IL CLAREMORE, OK TENNESSEE LUNA CAFE "See Our Spectacular Neon Signs by Day CLAREMORE CONVENTION NASHVILLE, TN and Especially by Night!" & VISITORS BUREAU Claremore, OK - www.visitclaremore.org JOE LOESCH - THE ROAD CREW Songs from the Mother Road & Route 66 MT. OLIVE, IL Audio History - NewWaytoRead.com CLINTON, OK CROSSROADS DINER A Classic Route 66 Diner Since 1953! OKLAHOMA ROUTE 66 MUSEUM WAVERLY, TN A tribute to "The Mother Road" www.route66.org Call (217) 999-8491. JESS McENTIRE - MOTHER ROAD MUSIC (580) 323-7866 "Makin Music for the Mother Road" 46 Show Me Route 66 motherroadmusic(aJyahoo.com _{J.~ CARMIVAL~ A DIVISION OF GOOD TIMES, INC. GAMES * PRIZES * SPECIAL EVENTS MARKHAUG Vice President - Sales & Marketing - Ext. 129 [email protected] www.funcamival.com 1317 Lindbergh Plaza Center + St. Louis, MO 63132 721 W. Elm Open 7 Days 532-4712 800-991-6818 314-991-6818 FAX:314-991-6884 ~ TownePlace SUI'fY.S hello. ».arnoll Miranda Comer General Manager Tow.nePlace Suites by Marriott@ Joplin 4026 S. Arizona AI/e. Joplin. MO 64804 417.659.8111 ph I 417.659.8222 fax [email protected] towneplacesuites.comfjlnts Here's YOUR opportunity to OWN a HISTORIC piece of the "Mother Road" HISTORY. The Route 66 Association of Missouri is offering one of the actual "Historic Route" brown signs - recently removed to MISSOURI allow for the placement of the Historic Byway blue signs. Since all signs have been on the road, they will show some "road wear" (some more than others) - all come with a us certificate indicating their origin. This is a piece of history that will gain in value over the years - and will look great on a wall SS in your home or garage. For a donation of$ 350.00, one of the few remaining signs can be yours - and ROUTE most of the $ 350.00 is tax deductable. When they are gone - they are gone, so get yours TODAY. Contact Tommy Pike to obtain your piece of Mother Road history! e-mail: [email protected] phone: (417) 865-1318 missouri66.org 47 JmJ then and now Cttmp (THEN) The Pillman family were some of Arlington's early settlers and entrepreneurs who were ready to serve tourists brought in by Route 66. Their tourist • camp, shown here 1932, was also known at one time as the Arlington Tourist Camp. (NOW) The modern view illustrates the difficulty of tracing Route 66 at Arlington today. The original alignment that went straight across the railroad and the Little Piney has been obliterated, and the service road curves away to enter Arlington. 48 Show Me Route 66