The Carthage, Missouri, Chamber of Commerce honored two business owners for revitalizing a once-decrepit trailer park on Route 66 into a gleaming RV park.
The Joplin Globe had the details about the honor:
Stephanie and Dale Garber, owners of Camp Mi Casa on the Route, received the Spotlight Award for improvements made to their RV park on Old Route 66 west of Carthage. The property, a former trailer park, had been abandoned for roughly 15 years. The Garbers refurbished the site, salvaging two buildings.
“It had a pretty rough reputation that went with it,” said Stephanie Garber. “It’s fantastic. It’s everything we envisioned, though we still have a lot to do. It’s nice to see that everyone recognizes the hard work.”
Camp Mi Casa’s website elaborates on why the owners took a chance on the property:
It all started over 5 years ago when we would drive by the property on a daily basis and only dreamed of what its potential really was. The property has a long history; some good, and some not so good. Since the initial purchase of the land in August 2014, we have encountered several people who have shared their “story”. Many have fond memories of growing up here on the premises, or in the vicinity, and being sent to get a loaf of bread, or a soda and candy bar at the gas station, which now serves as the office/clubhouse. Nearly 50+ years ago, it was a well-kept mobile home park where hard working folks raised their families. One friend stood in the office, shortly after the completion of the construction, and got goosebumps, because he said he can remember standing right where he was standing and eating his first Dorito when they first came out on the market. That is one of several stories local residents have stopped to share and we are always excited to hear more!
And so the story goes, we decided the location was a perfect fit for RV travelers, and historic Route 66 made it even more exciting. […] We have a lot of blood, sweat and tears in cleaning up the property. However, our plans are GRAND for the park, so the work has only begun! It was a late start opening our first season (Aug. 2015) because of delayed construction, but are pleased to notate that we have hosted travelers from over 15 states so far, and one couple from Scotland who was simply traveling the Route. We are partial to old history (obviously), so we hope to host some vintage travel clubs in the future, but constructed the park to accommodate large RVs with spacious, pull-thru sites and modern amenities, such as a climate-controlled bathhouse and laundry facility. As previously mentioned, we still have work to do, but would be honored to have you as a guest while we continue to create our “dream come true”.
To give you a better idea how much the property was revamped, here’s a Google Street View image the area in May 2013, about a year before the Garbers took it over:
Camp Mi Casa is at 17601 Old 66 Blvd. in Carthage, west of the landmark 66 Drive-In theater.
The RV park features a pool, pavilion, fire pit, climate-controlled bathhouse and laundry facilities. It also sells a few Route 66 gifts.
(Image of Camp Mi Casa via Facebook)