Route 66 was established down Galena's main street in 1926. This town was named for the ore it produced. The Litch museum has an abundance of "one-of-a-kind" exhibits that are a lasting tribute to those courageous men who worked the mines of southeast Kansas.

The oldest alignment of Route 66 enters Galena at the north end of town then makes a sharp left turn onto Main. Today Main Street is lined with boarded-up brick buildings.

Peeling painted signs on the old buildings in town, reveal advertising from the past. These ghosted signs are still visible today.

At 413 Main, the Main Street Deli, is all that remains of the Miners' & Merchants' Bank which was later named the Galena National Bank. The bank was once located on the first floor of the three story New Century Hotel. The hotel and bank were razed several years ago, leaving the annex where the deli stands today. The site previously housed the Vi-D's Cafe. When the bank was razed for the Cafe, the huge walk-in vault was too large to move, so the original locking pins were removed and the vault became the safest pantry on Route 66.

Continuing south on Main Street in Galena at 418 Main you will notice on the right a new eating establishment is housed in this remodeled relic from a bygone era.

Just across the street on the south side, as you continue on Main Street in Galena you will come across a Route 66 Roadside Attraction. The Howard Litch Memorial Park. Howard "Pappy" Litch Park was named in honor of a local historian and beloved citizen of Galena. The land for the park was once a federal weigh station along old Route 66, and the town of Galena though it a fitting site for a Route 66 park.

An original Will Rogers Highway plaque was also dedicated and placed in the park. This plaque is one of the original 1952 plaques that was located on the Missouri - Kansas State line. It now resides permanently in the Howard "Pappy" Litch Park.

Continue on Main street till the junction with SR66, then turn right on Kansas Route 66 and continue west. Old Route 66 signs have been posted at the Howard Litch Historical and Mining Museum where you will learn about the history of the mining industry. Galena is the oldest mining town in Kansas. The museum is housed in the old Katy Depot which was acquired in 1983 and donated to the museum and historical society.

Once you are ready to continue your journey, head west. About three miles down the road you will cross Spring River and enter the small town of Riverton.