The federally certified nonprofit Boots Court Foundation, in cooperation with CTown LLC, announced Wednesday they have begun a full restoration of the historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri.
An emailed news release noted the Route 66 motel’s flat roof and some of its rooms were restored in the last decade by the previous owners. They want to take it one step further:
Boots Court Foundation was established to be the vehicle to fully restore the historic Boots Court, and prevent the motel from further decline and possible demolition. Additional structures around the motel were also acquired to enhance the property and community. Boots Court remains one of the oldest motels on Historic Route 66, serving as a popular attraction along the Route and making Carthage a desired tourism destination. Application has been made to include Boots Court on the National Register of Historic Places, further highlighting its historic tourism status for the community.
Restoration and rehabilitation will be completed with the intent of maintaining the historic feel and experience of the original Boots Court. Updates will be provided as the restoration progresses. Visit bootscourt66.com for additional photos and updates.
According to business records filed with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, CTown LLC has been registered in Carthage since August, with Jessica Adams of Carthage as the agent. The Carthage-based Boots Court Foundation also was registered as a nonprofit with the Internal Revenue Service in April.
The Boots Court, previously known as the Boots Motel before reverting to its original name, changed owners last fall. Two couples from the Carthage area bought the property, according to the previous co-owner Debye Harvey.
The motel came close to being demolished in the early 2000s when its owner, citing poor health, sold it to a local developer. Speculation ran rampant the motel would be razed for a Walgreens.
An outcry from the Route 66 Association of Missouri, Friends of the Mother Road and other preservationists apparently scared off the developers.
The previous co-owners bought the run-down property in 2011 and reopened it to overnight guests after months of renovations to restore it to its 1940s appearance, including “a radio in every room” and no televisions.
The Boots Court was built in 1939 by Arthur Boots. Actor Clark Gable stayed there several times during cross-country trips from his native Ohio; he rested his head in Room No. 6.
3/1/2022 UPDATE: Heather Collier of the group emailed to say it has a targeted reopening of midsummer 2022.
(Postcard image of the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, courtesy of 66Postcards.com)
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