The Route 66 Rail Haven Motel of Springfield, Mo., now an independently owned part of the Best Western chain, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places effective May 10, according to an e-mail today from the National Park Service.
The motel, at 210 S. Glenstone Ave., contains 93 rooms and has served travelers for more than 70 years, according to its website:
Experience a classic piece of Americana. Eight sandstone cottages built in 1938, known as the Rail Haven Motor Court, started what is known today as the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven.
This hotel is so full of history, you’ll want to purchase your own copy of the book “Route 66 Rail Haven: An Offspring of the Mother Road”, available in the lobby. Be our guest at this refurbished and historically charming inn nestled on acres of beautifully landscaped grounds on Old Route 66. Take your picture with the retired 1965 Best Western lighted road sign including the old five point crowned logo. And in keeping with the yesteryear atmosphere, try our Monroe or Elvis suites, each complete with a jetted tub.
In the late Skip Curtis’ book, “The Missouri U.S. 66 Tour Book,” he gleaned this information for an old postcard:
This was the Rail Haven’s first postcard, “Look for the rail fence.” A motor court “for motorists who demand the best. Popular haven for women and children.” At one time “16 stone cottages with showers, automatic safety controlled gas heat, laundry facilities, children’s playground” and “very good beds.” By 1946, it has grown to 28 rooms, and was considered “excellent” by AAA.
An image of an old postcard can be seen here. You can take a virtual tour of the current Rail Haven here.
This fine old motel was our rest stop in Springfield last week. It was a near perfect blend of the old and the new. The frosting on the cake was the reasonable price.