Between Riverton and Baxter Springs, lies the old concrete truss "Rainbow Bridge." This classy historic Marsh Arch "Rainbow Bridge" was built in 1923. Though much smaller than the old Spring River Bridge, this beautiful old bridge did survive, and is today, the only one still standing on Route 66. Through the efforts of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association this historic bridge was saved and restored. The bridge was completely refurbished and preserved in 1994 in a joint effort between the Route 66 Association and the Cherokee County Commission. Rainbow Arch Bridge Placed on National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Continuing southbound towards Baxter Springs, travelers will cross Willow Creek. Route 66 enters Baxter Springs in an area once referred to as "Gasoline Alley," then curves left on third street and right on Military Avenue. When the Frisco and Kansas City southern Railroad crossed Route 66 as it curved onto 3rd street, a hobo village grew up next to the highway in the 1930's. During that time, Pretty Boy Floyd gassed up regularly at the Spencer's Shell station.

Just off the route, one block over at Seventh and East Avenue, Baxter Springs has an excellent museum, the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum. As you stop in to visit and tour the museum, you'll learn about the history of Route 66 in Baxter Springs.

Route 66 through downtown Baxter Springs is Military Avenue. At one time, a street car ran through here, connecting the mining communities of Pitcher and Joplin. The Street Car Bridge is still standing.

Continuing into downtown Baxter Springs, you will find the remains of two old gas stations - one of them an old Phillips 66. This old cottage style Phillips 66 Filling Station along Route 66 in Baxter Springs has an attached garage. It was run by Burl Chubb in the 1940's and 1950's. Later owned by Ray Parsons in the late 1950's and 1960's. The buiding has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Continuing on, you will find a fairly new Route 66 Roadside Attraction, Cafe on the Route and The Little Brick Inn. Both are owned and operated by Amy and Richard Sanell. They opened for business and have been servicing guests of the route since 1998. They are located in the old Crowell Bank which was built in 1870, it was the towns first bank. The old bank housed a sandwich shop during the 1930's and was opened as Murphey's Restaurant in 1941. The building sold in 1998 to the Sanell's which was opened as a restaurant and bed and breakfast. This historic landmark was allegedly robbed on April 13, 1876 by Jesse James and his gang.

The Little Brick Inn is located just upstairs from the Cafe on the Route. It is the only Bed and Breakfast in Kansas on the Mother Road. The Route's "famous" Murphey's Restaurant, has since moved across the street to the northeast corner of Military Avenue.

Now relocated, Murphey's Restaurant is currently up for sale. Originally owned by Bill and Wanda Murphey, it sold in 1976 to Alice Hampton. Murphey's was known for its superb pies. Bill Murphey's Restaurant is now located in what used to be the Baxter National Bank, the bank was allegedly robbed in 1914 by the infamous Henry Starr.

Many other vintage Baxter Springs eating places are gone today. One infamous eatery was the Blue Castle Cafe. Opened for business in January, 1947. The tiny place only seated about 30 customers. Business was so good that in 1956, the owners purchased the old Ritz Theater building, remodeled and re-opened with seating for 80+. Ralph Adams, the owner loved to experiment and came up with a popular deep-fried boneless turkey. He never pursued marketing the idea, but years later, McDonald's brought out a very similar item in their Chicken McNuggets. The previous site of the Blue Castle now houses the Baxter Floral business.

Downtown Baxter Springs is full of examples of left over days of route 66. The building located at 1112 Military, was once the Wells-Fargo station and bus station. It is one of the few buildings left in town that still has it's original facade. The American National Bank on the route was allegedly robbed in October 1933 by Wilbur Underhill.

Baxter Springs has a thriving business district today, whose Kansas Historic Route 66 Association members are eager to welcome 66 travelers. Old Route 66 cuts a path through the center of the Business District, turns left by McDonalds on Roberts Road and right on 30th Street behind Wal-Mart and left onto U.S. Alternate 69. Here is where you pass the site of the former Twilight Drive-In on Rt 66. The Drive-In opened in 1953 and flourished until destroyed by a storm in 1978. All that remains of the Drive In along Route 66 today is rubble and memories.

From here the Route winds its way into Oklahoma. As you continue west on Historic Route 66 we hope that your tour of Kansas Route 66 has been a special part of your journey.