Virtual Tour
Most of the travel on Route 66 was East-to-West, especially during the migrations of the Great Depression – the 'Dust Bowl' Era – and of World War II and the post-war boom. The route thus officially begins on Adams Street in Chicago IL and winds its way along 2,448 miles thru eight states to terminate at the bluffs in Santa Monica CA overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The highway was established in 1926 and was eventually replaced by the Interstate highway system.
When Route 66 was decommissioned in 1984 and its signs were removed, the ability of drivers to easily find Route 66 was lost. To help people locate the road, several states have installed Historic Route 66 signs along portions of the road. These signs do not typically appear on interstate highway exits, do not usually give directions, and are often stolen for souvenirs. Finding Route 66 can be an adventure and a challenge requiring a good sense of direction, several maps and guidebooks, a navigator, and patience to decipher the highway's various alignments.
The experience of Route 66 is formed by the travelers and the people, sights, sounds, and tastes they encounter. The surroundings are constantly changing, and there is a sense of mystery about what lies around the bend. Regional differences in rural landscapes and natural features figure prominently in the experience, as do small towns and cities. However, the Route 66 experience lies less in the individual scenes than in their association with the road.
Route 66 is many things to many people. Each individual tends to experience the road differently. There is a spirit, a feeling, that resides along this highway. The spirit of Route 66 lives in the people and their stories, the views and structures, and travelers' perceptions of them along the route. To gain an understanding of Route 66 and the spirit of Route 66, there is no substitute for driving the highway.
Old Route 66 crosses the extreme southeastern corner of the Sunflower state on an alignment 13.2 miles long on its way west. While Route 66's forage into Kansas was short, it was also sweet. Hardworking Kansas citizens concreted all 13.2 miles of their length of Route 66 by 1929. The Route passed through the historic lead mining communities of Galena and Baxter Springs. The scenery is quite pleasant with rolling hills and clumps of woods. There are also some old historic bridges and stretches of pavement.
All 13.2 miles of Old U.S. Route 66 is still maintained as state highway today, but is no longer identified as U.S. 66, although one segment east of Riverton is posted as Kansas State Highway 66.
Experience the wonder of Kansas Route 66 for yourself. As you head west out of Joplin, Missouri on Historic Route 66 and begin your journey into Kansas, 
On the state line of Missouri and Kansas, you will see the State Line Bar, a liquor store (previously an old gas station) and a bowling ally all on the Missouri side.
Just before you reach Galena, you will cross over an area that looks like it could have been a battle zone. Land haunted by the rough days of the mines.
Route 66 winds around "Hell's Half Acre." Now a sparse, bland expanse, the former mine was one of the richest in the world. The land destroyed by the many years of mining, is still torn apart by the ravages of years of lead and zinc mining.
Once past this small culvert and over the old overpass bridge, you will enter the seemingly almost deserted town of Galena. Named appropriately for the previous gray gold of the area.
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. This 127 year-old town resembles a ghost town with its many empty buildings along the main street.
Peeling painted signs on the old buildings in town, reveal advertising from the past. These ghosted signs are still visible today.
Main Street, Galena Kansas
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.
Main Street of Galena, 1898
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.
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.
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.
Between Galena and Riverton, a popular stop on the early highway was a motor court and gas station called Camp Joy. By the 1960's the Camp Joy area had almost disappeared.
There was a time when the Route 66 traveler, after leaving Galena and heading west towards Riverton, would have crossed the Spring River on a classic old Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge. This classic bridge built in 1922 saw service throughout the entire period of Route 66. Unfortunately it was dismantled in 1986.
Once located on seven and a half acres next to the river was the Spring River Inn. It was known for its thirty-five-foot buffet table loaded with home-cooked food, cinnamon pull-apart bread and squaw bread. The Inn burned to the ground in the 1990's. Spring River Inn had a colorful past.
Built as a private home in 1902, it was sold to the Joplin Country Club in 1905 for $1500. The Club became the social center of the area. With the depression, hard times hit and the club was sold in 1932. It was used as a boating club until it opened as a restaurant in 1952.
Your next stop along the route is Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store. A one-of-a- kind landmark, the store was built in 1925. It was originally a Standard Station. By 1932, a Y Not Eat Barbecue had been added. The Eisler family bought the location in 1973 and opened a market and deli. The old building is well maintained and still contains the original pressed tin ceiling. At Eisler Brothers you can choose from a variety of Route 66 souvenirs or enjoy an old-fashioned deli sandwich and a cold soda.
Riverton, is a tiny unincorporated community on the banks of the Spring River. Route 66 travels west through Riverton and at the 66 Junction with 69 Alternate & U.S. 400, continues on through the intersection. Between Riverton and Baxter Springs, lies the old concrete truss "Rainbow Bridge." In it's day, a nearby cider stand served drivers of the route.
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.
Not only does this bridge make a great photo opportunity, you can still drive over it! Take the time to stop for a while and enjoy the view from this historic bridge.
Rainbow Arch Bridge Placed on National Register of Historic Places on 3-10-83
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.
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.
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.
Placed on National Register of Historic Places
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 and by Ray Parsons in the late 1950's and 1960's.
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.
Although it has relocated, Murphey's Restaurant is no longer open for business and currently 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. This building on the historic route, 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.
Main Street on Route 66 in Baxter Springs in 1930-1940's
The American National Bank seen in the vintage photo above 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.
OFF THE ROUTE POINT OF INTEREST -The Spook Light...theories regarding its origin, some people think that the light is the ghost of an Osage Chief who was murdered near this spot; others say that it is the spirit of a Quapaw maiden who drowned herself in the river when her warrior was killed in battle. Other theories...are those of marsh gas, automobile lights driving east on Highway 66, and Quapaw, Oklahoma airport beacon lights...the old-timers laugh at all such explanations, claiming that the Indian lights were seen at the same spot in the deep wood, as early as 1866, fifty years before the 'Devils Promenade' road was built. Fred C. Reynolds of Kansas City says that his grandfather, a pioneer doctor at Baxter, Kansas, observed these lights long before there was any such thing as a motor car, and was seen by many persons in this vicinity before there was a Hwy 66.
The spook light located in Oklahoma, is near the borders of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
Known as The Mother Road, the nostalgic journey
from Chicago to L.A. takes one back to the "good old days".
Copyright © 2004-2007 PRN Services. All rights reserved
