The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, on Wednesday posted a photo of its architectural neon lighting glowing again.
It was another sign that renovations on the Route 66 landmark were progressing.
On a comment thread with the Facebook post, I asked the motel how it was coming on getting the rest of its rooms reopened for overnight travelers.
“7 are open, be another couple of weeks on the last 6,” was the reply. “Getting closer!!”
Less than a month ago, the Boots Court was designated to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Boots Court was built in 1939 by Arthur Boots. Movie star Clark Gable stayed there several times during cross-country trips from his native Ohio; he rested his head in Room No. 6.
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 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 Carthage-based Boots Court Foundation purchased the property at 107 S. Garrison Ave. (aka Route 66) last year.
—