Vandals damage ghost town of Spencer

Vandals damaged portions of the semi-restored ghost town of Spencer, Missouri, on old Route 66 last week, according to a report by KYTV in nearby Springfield.

Quentin Stockman is the caretaker for the complex. Spencer lies on a 1928 alignment of Route 66, and the buildings were renovated to look like that era.

“That used to be the barber shop and there was one of those marble poles there and they stole it off the wall,” said Stockham.

The vandals caused damage worth a couple of thousand dollars. They possibly used a hammer that they broke and left behind. They ripped off the doors of the gas pump and even broke the padlock on it. They also tried to take a historic sign but weren’t successful.

Legends of America has a few more details about Spencer:

This tiny little settlement, that was never much more than a “spot in the road,” was first founded in the late 1870s when a post office was established. Later a store and a church were built to cater to the small agricultural population of the area. However, by 1912, it was already a ghost town when the road to Spencer became impassable and most people moved on. When Route 66 made its way through town, the community saw a small resurgence, with a grocery store, a Tydol station and a garage, a dry goods store and a barbershop. These businesses all died when Route 66 was bypassed by I-44.

Up until recently, the “entire town” was but one row of vacant buildings. Though they were in good condition, they sat silent and lonely on this old stretch of the road. However, this historic site has been purchased by Francis and Marie Lynn Ryan of Salina, Kansas. The Ryans obtained the property from Kent Casey, who’s grandfather, Sydney Casey, first acquired the land in 1925. Sydney Casey built the buildings and ran the businesses at the time the Mother Road was blazed through the area. For the first few years, the gas station was a Tydol station but later it changed to Phillips 66, to which the Ryans have restored it to today.

Today, the gas station and garage have been restored to their former glory, welcoming a new generation of Route 66 travelers. The gas pumps, signs, and other memorabilia are from the Ryan’s personal collection. Helping with this project are locals, Quentin and Cathy Stockham, who have placed the vintage police car in the front of the buildings. Though tiny Spencer was never large enough for a police department, it adds yet, another touch of great nostalgia to this historic site.

None of the buildings is operating, but is there as a quiet roadside spot for Route 66 travelers.

(Image of Spencer, Missouri, by Pete Zarria via Flickr)