Huge development planned for downtown Baxter Springs

A developer has purchased nearly one block of downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, and plans to open a car museum, go-kart track, craft-beer bar and a restaurant there. David Hickmott of “Decades of Wheels," a nonprofit corporation based in nearby Miami, Oklahoma, plans the massive development in the west side of the 1100 block of Military … Continue reading Huge development planned for downtown Baxter Springs

Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs screens first film in 62 years

The Ritz Theatre in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, during Easter weekend showed its first movie in more than 60 years with a screening of "Peter Rabbit." According to the Cherokee County News-Advocate: Theater owner Ron Puckett was busily getting everything ready and taking care of last minute issues prior to the Friday afternoon matinee, but … Continue reading Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs screens first film in 62 years

Angels on the Route restaurant in Baxter Springs closes temporarily

The Angels on the Route restaurant in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, has closed at least temporarily until spring. Sue Gast, who helped revitalize the historic building into a restaurant more than 10 years ago, wrote in an email Thursday: My business is temporarily closed for the season and hoping to open in April. We will … Continue reading Angels on the Route restaurant in Baxter Springs closes temporarily

Former Cafe on the Route is up for sale

The historic building in Baxter Springs, Kansas, best-known as the former home of Cafe on the Route, apparently has been put up for sale, based on a slick video and website touting the property. The website's name uses property's address, 1101 Military Ave. Moment Media, based in nearby Miami, Oklahoma, produced this well-made video, including drone … Continue reading Former Cafe on the Route is up for sale

Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs to reopen next month

The historic Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs, Kansas, will reopen in July after it underwent nine years of renovations by a local couple. The Joplin Globe reported: A retired Caterpillar manager, Ron Puckett, 74, did much of the work himself after the couple bought the building at the northwest corner of 12th Street and Military … Continue reading Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs to reopen next month

Section of old Route 66 in Kansas added to National Register

A 2-mile section of old Route 66 north of Baxter Springs, Kansas, was added to the National Register of Historic Places effective April 14, according to an email this week from the National Park Service. The National Register designation was expected after the Kansas Historical Society nominated it in February. The section of roadway also … Continue reading Section of old Route 66 in Kansas added to National Register

Part of old Route 66 in Kansas nominated to National Register

An old section of Route 66 north of Baxter Springs, Kansas, has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places by the Kansas Historical Society. It's rare for a nominated property to not win the designation. So the inclusion is almost assured. It was designated part of the Kansas Historic Byway in 2011. A description … Continue reading Part of old Route 66 in Kansas nominated to National Register

Cafe on the Route reopens

Cafe on the Route, a beloved restaurant on Route 66 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, that closed abruptly nearly two years ago, has reopened, according to the Joplin Globe. Tim and Julie Potter of nearby Miami, Oklahoma, bought the restaurant this summer and began renovating it. The newspaper reported that he executive chef is Charles Bowen … Continue reading Cafe on the Route reopens

A visit to the Red Ball Bar and Grill

Here's a restaurant in Baxter Springs, Kansas, that escaped my notice -- the Red Ball Bar and Grill, which uses the grille of an old truck as part of its grill. KSN-TV in Joplin has the story: Here's a screen capture of the aforementioned grill: The Red Ball occupies a building that was a grocery … Continue reading A visit to the Red Ball Bar and Grill

Baxter Springs theater nominated to National Register

The Ritz Theater, a former movie house on Route 66 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, according to a news release from the Kansas Historical Society. The building is at 1145 N. Military Ave. (aka Route 66). The theater's inclusion is all but assured, because the National … Continue reading Baxter Springs theater nominated to National Register