One business’ suffering from coronavirus, travel ban

A Joplin, Missouri, television station focused on one Route 66 business in nearby Carthage, Missouri, that's feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and European travel ban. The business taking the brunt of lack of business is the Boots Court, which dates to 1939. KOAM-TV talked to Deborah Harvey, co-owner of the motel: The Boots … Continue reading One business’ suffering from coronavirus, travel ban

Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield reopens to overnight travelers

The historic Rockwood Motor Court has reopened to overnight travelers along old Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri. Ozarks Alive has the story: The project is the work of Phyllis Ferguson, a longtime Springfield resident whose mission is revitalization — and not only in form of the motor court, which in part dates to 1929, just … Continue reading Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield reopens to overnight travelers

Restoration of Boots Court architectural neon to begin soon

Repairs to the hail-damaged architectural neon lighting at the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, will begin by mid-July after Route 66 enthusiasts donated more than $4,100 for the project. Ron Hart of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce on Friday presented a check for $4,113.41, representing the proceeds of a GoFundMe campaign after a … Continue reading Restoration of Boots Court architectural neon to begin soon

Fundraising goal met to fix Boots Court’s hail-damaged neon

Only five days after it launched, a GoFundMe campaign to repair architectural neon lighting at the Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri, met its goal of $4,000. That was the estimated cost to fix the neon, which was damaged by a severe hailstorm last week, with some stones measuring 2 inches in diameter. As of early Tuesday, … Continue reading Fundraising goal met to fix Boots Court’s hail-damaged neon

Boots Court, 66 Drive-In suffer hail damage

At least two Route 66 landmarks -- the Boots Court motel and the 66 Drive-In theater -- suffered extensive damage from a severe hailstorm early Sunday, mostly to their neon lighting. KTTS radio showed a photo of hailstones at least 2 inches in diameter that fell in the Carthage area. The storm injured at least … Continue reading Boots Court, 66 Drive-In suffer hail damage

Route 66 businesses worry about effect of bridge projects

Detours for upcoming replacement of two bridges in Carthage, Missouri, has Route 66 businesses fretting that tourists will bypass their town. The Missouri Department of Transportation will start to replace two bridges on Highway 96 (aka Route 66) on the northeast side of town next spring. The projects won't be finished until fall 2017. The official detour when the … Continue reading Route 66 businesses worry about effect of bridge projects

Architectural neon for Boots Court relighted

The Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri, on Saturday night officially relighted the architectural neon of the Route 66 motel that had gone dark for about 15 years. An estimated 200 people attended the event. Here is a video from Jessica Davis of the countdown before the switch for the neon for Boots Court was flicked on: https://www.facebook.com/100004570088249/videos/618744481621216/ The … Continue reading Architectural neon for Boots Court relighted

Boots Court neon relighting set for April 9

The architectural neon lighting of the historic Boots Court, which has been absent for more than a decade, will be formally relighted the evening of Saturday, April 9, at the Route 66 landmark in Carthage, Missouri. The Route 66 Association of Missouri said in a news release the festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with entertainment … Continue reading Boots Court neon relighting set for April 9

2015 cost-share grants for Route 66 announced

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced four cost-share grants totaling more than $97,000 for 2015. Boots Court architectural neon restoration, Carthage, Missouri, $20,000 grant, $20,565 match: Built in 1939, the Boots Court Motel is an outstanding example of a mom-and-pop motor court built in the Streamline Moderne style. Once threatened with demolition, the owners … Continue reading 2015 cost-share grants for Route 66 announced