Route 66 History in Southeast Kansas
Where have you been to see the sights and sounds of the Mother Road? Living just south of Springfield, Illinois, I have witnessed the beauty and quirky stops. I have visited the Route from Dwight south to Atlanta, on down to St. Louis and into Missouri. This recent trip hosted by Explore Crawford County offered the chance to get my kicks on Route 66 in Kansas!
Route 66 in Kansas
Route 66 in southeast Kansas lasts for 13.2 miles. Now designated as Highway 69, it enters the state from Missouri at Baxter Springs. Then Route 66 crosses Brush Creek and after leaving Galena enters Oklahoma. Besides Route 66, the old Jefferson Highway is also part of the attractions. Jefferson Highway was new to me. Named after Thomas Jefferson, the highway was formed in 1915. The purpose was to build a highway from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana.
On the Jefferson Highway Association, I learned of a fascinating connection to farmers! “…The highway was the idea of Edwin T. Meredith (of Iowa), publisher of Successful Farming and Better Homes and Gardens and later Secretary of Agriculture under President Woodrow Wilson, who thought the highway would be economically beneficial to the region’s farmers.” How about that?
Cars on the Route
The town of Galena, Kansas influenced the look and feel of the town Radiator Springs in the Pixar movie “Cars”. Galena is an old mining town. Pixar animators traveled Route 66 to get ideas for their movie. in Galena they came across an old 1951 International Boom Truck, and this rusty old truck inspired the “Tow Mater” character.
This fun truck is located at Cars on the Route, a former Kan-O-Tex Service Station. Kan-O-Tex originally opened in 1934. Later it was a tourist site where you could buy sandwiches etc. Today it is a fun photo op stop and a place to reminisce.
Luigi’s Pit Stop along Route 66
Luigi’s Pit Stop is another fun place where a few cars offer photo ops along with a few fun murals. While visiting a couple from Italy was there on their honeymoon traveling Route 66!
On the back of one of the murals, a Route 66 sign has several signatures showing the popularity and history of those who stopped by.
Gearhead Curios
Aaron Perry owner of Gearhead Curios has created an oasis at this former Texaco station. With the funny urinal bathroom that Aaron provides a tour of, there is something for everyone at this stop. Be sure to look up and see all the donated license plates and don’t forget to check out the license plate flag and Big Boy statue. This reminded me of the trips my friends and I made during my teen years to the Tops Big Boy in Springfield, Illinois!
While here there were also visitors from France. Route 66 is a blending road bringing friends and families together to travel the Mother Road and see the sights and sounds that we all attribute to the freedom of the road.
May you travel safely and find fun at these iconic Route 66 stops in Southeast Kansas!
