Professor seeks to document and preserve examples of giraffe rock architecture

A professor in Missouri wants to document and preserve so-called giraffe-rock architecture that’s rapidly disappearing in the Ozarks region.

For the uninitiated, giraffe rock describes colorfully built structures dating to the early 20th century that used native rock such as chert, limestone or sandstone. Several prominent examples of the architecture can be seen along Route 66 in Oklahoma and Missouri (more on that later).

A recent article in the Pulaski County Weekly reported of the efforts of Professor Barbara Williams of Missouri State University-West Plains, who led a discussion of giraffe-rock buildings at the Garnett Library as a monthly program of its Ozarks Heritage Research Center.

Williams said two primary styles emerged in the construction of the Ozarks native rock buildings. There is the field stone style which used rocks of all shapes and textures as building blocks. The slab rock style was more selective in the rocks used, with large flat slabs of quarried sandstone being particularly cherished.

Giraffe Rock is one of the more creative forms of slab rock style. It weaves together flat earthtone rocks, raised mortar and sometimes white paint. The overall look it creates is likened to appearing as if it were a giraffe’s spots.

“Giraffe rock is the Ozarks contribution to architecture, and it’s something to be proud of,” Williams said. […]

Unfortunately, a growing reality Williams cited is many giraffe rock buildings and other native rock structures are being lost to development or deterioration. She said even in the span of the 20 years she’s been documenting examples some have fallen into neglect.

“Too many of these buildings have not been appreciated,” Williams said.

A good example of old Ozarks architecture not being appreciated was the Lurvey Court Cabins in Springfield, Missouri, which were demolished a few years ago.

Plumbing my memory and looking over internet searches, here are some prominent examples of surviving giraffe-rock architecture on Route 66:

• The Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma.
• The Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri,
• The Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri.
• The Shamrock Court motel in Sullivan, Missouri.
• Gascozark Cafe and Gas Station in Gascozark, Missouri.
• Rock Fountain Court in Springfield, Missouri.
• Spencer Garage in Spencer, Missouri.
• Piney Beach Cabins in Hooker, Missouri.

The list is not comprehensive, so if I missed a prominent example on Route 66, please list it in the comments below. Also, the list doesn’t include residential buildings made of giraffe stone.

(Image of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri, by Jim Grey via Flickr)