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Route 66 - The Mother Road

This photo gallery will be a work in progress, as it contains any and all photos taken along my trips down whatever pieces of Route 66 I could find. This will be a somewhat more comprehensive treatment in the Route 66 travel photo genre, as it will include not only the major historical points of interests, but a few not typically associated with the Mother Road -- such as the Gateway Arch in St Louis, which wasn't around during the road's heyday -- just to give you a feel for Route 66 as it was then and what you might come across as you travel along it today. So fasten your seatbelts, 'cause here we go!

[NOTE: The map "placeholders" you'll see at the beginning of each state's section have been graciously provided by Mr Guy Randall, a fellow lover of the Mother Road. The colored dots at particular towns and cities along the way are major points of interest in and around those towns and cities, and on his website they actually pull up a page of information about them, but not so here. Sorry.
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  • FUN TIMES ON ROUTE 66! Route 66 Postcard

    FUN TIMES ON ROUTE 66! Route 66 Postcard

  • 1940 ILLINOIS

    1940 ILLINOIS

  • ON ILLINOIS ROUTE 66 Outside of McLean, Illinois This is where I first touched the original Route 66, which is now relegated to being a frontage road. My, how times change. Still, it was refreshing to get out of the hustle of the Interstate and sit amongst the cornstalks in the wind and listen to the echoes of a slower and better time.

    ON ILLINOIS ROUTE 66 Outside of McLean, Illinois This is where I first touched the original Route 66, which is now relegated to being a frontage road. My, how times change. Still, it was refreshing to get out of the hustle of the Interstate and sit amongst the cornstalks in the wind and listen to the echoes of a slower and better time.

  • DRIVING THE MOTHER ROAD Outside of McClean, Illinois If you could just ignore the Interstate off to the left, you could almost believe you were back in the 40s or 50s. Almost.

    DRIVING THE MOTHER ROAD Outside of McClean, Illinois If you could just ignore the Interstate off to the left, you could almost believe you were back in the 40s or 50s. Almost.

  • OLD vs NEW Outside of McLean, Illinois Well, I couldn't ignore it, so I decided to capture traveling the old route (in the side-view mirror) as opposed to the new route (out the window). Jeez, I'm so clever.

    OLD vs NEW Outside of McLean, Illinois Well, I couldn't ignore it, so I decided to capture traveling the old route (in the side-view mirror) as opposed to the new route (out the window). Jeez, I'm so clever.

  • THE DIXIE TRUCK STOP McLean, Illinois I was driving a truck so, of course, I just had to stop.

    THE DIXIE TRUCK STOP McLean, Illinois I was driving a truck so, of course, I just had to stop.

  • ROUTE 66 MUSEUM Dixie Truck Stop, McLean, Illinois I don't know just what I was expecting in a museum in a truck stop, but it was a little more than this. It wasn't bad, though.

    ROUTE 66 MUSEUM Dixie Truck Stop, McLean, Illinois I don't know just what I was expecting in a museum in a truck stop, but it was a little more than this. It wasn't bad, though.

  • NEON ROUTE 66 SIGN Dixie Truck Stop, McLean, Illinois It did have this cool neon Route 66 sign, though, which I was sorely tempted to make off with. I do love neon.

    NEON ROUTE 66 SIGN Dixie Truck Stop, McLean, Illinois It did have this cool neon Route 66 sign, though, which I was sorely tempted to make off with. I do love neon.

  • THIS HAPPENS Somewhere between McLean and Springfield, Illinois Sorry I can't be more specific about the location, but I just don't remember. This isn't the first time this will happen, as the road was re-directed several times over its lifetime.

    THIS HAPPENS Somewhere between McLean and Springfield, Illinois Sorry I can't be more specific about the location, but I just don't remember. This isn't the first time this will happen, as the road was re-directed several times over its lifetime.

  • ROUTE 66 POSTCARD

    ROUTE 66 POSTCARD

  • SHEA'S ROUTE 66 GAS STATION MUSEUM Springfield, Illinois Now this is what I call a Route 66 museum. The owner, Bill Shea, has been a Texaco dealer since back in the 50s and he's very proud of it. For anyone who loves to prowl around old places and gawk at old stuff, this the place for you.

    SHEA'S ROUTE 66 GAS STATION MUSEUM Springfield, Illinois Now this is what I call a Route 66 museum. The owner, Bill Shea, has been a Texaco dealer since back in the 50s and he's very proud of it. For anyone who loves to prowl around old places and gawk at old stuff, this the place for you.

  • THE MUSEUM Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois This is what's referred to as a "porcelain icebox" gas station. He's got just about everything you could need to get a gas station going, including an antique Champion air compressor that still works.

    THE MUSEUM Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois This is what's referred to as a "porcelain icebox" gas station. He's got just about everything you could need to get a gas station going, including an antique Champion air compressor that still works.

  • ANTIQUE PHONE BOOTH Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois This kid was all over the place and creating a nuisance, but he was Bill's grandson, I think, and therefore allowed to do so.

    ANTIQUE PHONE BOOTH Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois This kid was all over the place and creating a nuisance, but he was Bill's grandson, I think, and therefore allowed to do so.

  • ALL-METAL GAS STATION Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Bill even went so far as to purchase, pull up, and haul over an old gas station from several miles away. Now how's that for commitment?

    ALL-METAL GAS STATION Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Bill even went so far as to purchase, pull up, and haul over an old gas station from several miles away. Now how's that for commitment?

  • BILL SHEA HIMSELF Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois I just had to get a picture of this remarkable fellow standing in front of these old pumps. He said he's been in magazines all over the world -- most recently in Germany. Amazing.

    BILL SHEA HIMSELF Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois I just had to get a picture of this remarkable fellow standing in front of these old pumps. He said he's been in magazines all over the world -- most recently in Germany. Amazing.

  • BUS OF FAME Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Bill suggested that I had to go through the "Haul of Fame" bus outside, but never let on who the president(s) who may have ridden in it might have been.

    BUS OF FAME Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Bill suggested that I had to go through the "Haul of Fame" bus outside, but never let on who the president(s) who may have ridden in it might have been.

  • HAUL OF FAME Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois You see? And you thought I had misspelled it back there, huh?

    HAUL OF FAME Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois You see? And you thought I had misspelled it back there, huh?

  • THE ENIGMA Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Yeah, he's not giving away anything here. I wonder who did his sign work?

    THE ENIGMA Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Yeah, he's not giving away anything here. I wonder who did his sign work?

  • HAUL OF FAME INTERIOR Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Nicely decked out inside. It made me feel like I was back in Junior High again -- except for the flags.

    HAUL OF FAME INTERIOR Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Nicely decked out inside. It made me feel like I was back in Junior High again -- except for the flags.

  • SHEA FAMILY WHEEL ESTATE Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Well, if you're going to do it, do it in style. What a great old antique Airstream trailer.

    SHEA FAMILY WHEEL ESTATE Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois Well, if you're going to do it, do it in style. What a great old antique Airstream trailer.

  • THE WHOLE RIG Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois And an antique International truck to pull it around with. And he said they still go out on trips in it. How cool!

    THE WHOLE RIG Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Musuem, Springfield, Illinois And an antique International truck to pull it around with. And he said they still go out on trips in it. How cool!

  • COZY DOG DRIVE-IN Springfield, Illinois Being an avid corn dog lover, I just had to stop on my way out of town and have one of these delectable dogs. I kid you not, this was the best corn dog I've ever eaten in my life, and they make them right there -- put the wiener on the stick, dip it in the batter, and into the fryer it goes. Man, it just doesn't get better than that!

    COZY DOG DRIVE-IN Springfield, Illinois Being an avid corn dog lover, I just had to stop on my way out of town and have one of these delectable dogs. I kid you not, this was the best corn dog I've ever eaten in my life, and they make them right there -- put the wiener on the stick, dip it in the batter, and into the fryer it goes. Man, it just doesn't get better than that!

  • COZY DOG DRIVE-IN INTERIOR Springfield, Illinois

    COZY DOG DRIVE-IN INTERIOR Springfield, Illinois

  • 1940 MISSOURI

    1940 MISSOURI

  • ST LOUIS GATEWAY ARCH Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (NPS), St Louis, Missouri

    ST LOUIS GATEWAY ARCH Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (NPS), St Louis, Missouri

  • ST LOUIS GATEWAY ARCH Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (NPS), St Louis, Missouri

    ST LOUIS GATEWAY ARCH Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (NPS), St Louis, Missouri

  • ST LOUIS GATEWAY ARCH Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (NPS), St Louis, Missouri

    ST LOUIS GATEWAY ARCH Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (NPS), St Louis, Missouri

  • MERAMEC CAVERNS WELCOME SIGN Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri

    MERAMEC CAVERNS WELCOME SIGN Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri

  • JESSE JAMES STATUE Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri The cavern was famous as being the hideout of the infamous Jesse James back in the 1870s. (I guess you could've read that for yourself on the plaque.) As it was getting late and I was running short of funds, I decided to wait till another trip through to go inside.

    JESSE JAMES STATUE Meramec Caverns, Stanton, Missouri The cavern was famous as being the hideout of the infamous Jesse James back in the 1870s. (I guess you could've read that for yourself on the plaque.) As it was getting late and I was running short of funds, I decided to wait till another trip through to go inside.

  • ROUTE 66 SHOTGLASS I couldn't afford the tour of the Meramac Caverns when I was there, but I just had to have the shot glass. Pretty cool, huh?

    ROUTE 66 SHOTGLASS I couldn't afford the tour of the Meramac Caverns when I was there, but I just had to have the shot glass. Pretty cool, huh?

  • MY KIND OF "WATER" TOWER Bourbon, Missouri If you ever find yourself in need of a little libation, I'm sure the fine folks of this town will fix you right up. Now that's the giant economy size right there!

    MY KIND OF "WATER" TOWER Bourbon, Missouri If you ever find yourself in need of a little libation, I'm sure the fine folks of this town will fix you right up. Now that's the giant economy size right there!

  • 1950 KANSAS

    1950 KANSAS

  • ROUTE 66 PAINTED ROAD MARKER Ouside Galena, Kansas Of all the states Route 66 meanders through, Kansas has the fewest miles of it -- a little over 13, all of which have these shields painted on the road itself. I believe Kansas is the only one that does this.

    ROUTE 66 PAINTED ROAD MARKER Ouside Galena, Kansas Of all the states Route 66 meanders through, Kansas has the fewest miles of it -- a little over 13, all of which have these shields painted on the road itself. I believe Kansas is the only one that does this.

  • DOWNTOWN ON A SUNDAY MORNING Galena, Kansas Not much by today's standards, but so much history resides here still. This town used to be a huge mining community responsible for mining the majority of the nation's lead ore, galena, for which the town gets its name.

    DOWNTOWN ON A SUNDAY MORNING Galena, Kansas Not much by today's standards, but so much history resides here still. This town used to be a huge mining community responsible for mining the majority of the nation's lead ore, galena, for which the town gets its name.

  • ROUTE 66 BANDSTAND Galena, Kansas At first I called this a gazebo, but there are no benches or chairs for one to relax in. It looks more like a park bandstand to me.

    ROUTE 66 BANDSTAND Galena, Kansas At first I called this a gazebo, but there are no benches or chairs for one to relax in. It looks more like a park bandstand to me.

  • M-K-T MUSEUM Galena, Kansas In all my trips through Galena -- both of them -- I have yet to find this place open. It could be due to the early hour I pass through (see shadows).

    M-K-T MUSEUM Galena, Kansas In all my trips through Galena -- both of them -- I have yet to find this place open. It could be due to the early hour I pass through (see shadows).

  • MUSEUM INTERIOR M-K-T Museum, Galena, Kansas Here's a grab shot through the window just to give you a glimpse of what they have to offer. Someday, I'm going to find this place open and I'll give you a full report on what they have to offer.

    MUSEUM INTERIOR M-K-T Museum, Galena, Kansas Here's a grab shot through the window just to give you a glimpse of what they have to offer. Someday, I'm going to find this place open and I'll give you a full report on what they have to offer.

  • SHORT TRAIN M-K-T Museum, Galena, Kansas At least they have stuff outside related to railroads you can walk up to and around. This old diesel engine and its caboose are in really good shape.

    SHORT TRAIN M-K-T Museum, Galena, Kansas At least they have stuff outside related to railroads you can walk up to and around. This old diesel engine and its caboose are in really good shape.

  • HOSE REEL M-K-T Museum, Galena Kansas There are so many items outside the museum that may or may not have to deal with railroads (such as an Army tank!) that I hesitate to say that this hose reel belongs to the depot, but it certainly looks right at home.

    HOSE REEL M-K-T Museum, Galena Kansas There are so many items outside the museum that may or may not have to deal with railroads (such as an Army tank!) that I hesitate to say that this hose reel belongs to the depot, but it certainly looks right at home.

  • EISLER BROS STORE Riverton, Kansas Here's a classic stopover on old Route 66 -- the Eisler Bros Store outside of Riverton, Kansas. This particular establishment has been handed down through generations and is still in the Eisler family, I believe, though maybe through extended family. The fellow that runs the place now, Scott Nelson, is involved in the local choir and will regale you with a rendition of "Get Your Kicks (on Route 66)" upon request.

    EISLER BROS STORE Riverton, Kansas Here's a classic stopover on old Route 66 -- the Eisler Bros Store outside of Riverton, Kansas. This particular establishment has been handed down through generations and is still in the Eisler family, I believe, though maybe through extended family. The fellow that runs the place now, Scott Nelson, is involved in the local choir and will regale you with a rendition of "Get Your Kicks (on Route 66)" upon request.

  • MARSH ARCH BRIDGE Outside Riverton, Kansas An engineer and bridge designer from North Lake, Wisconsin, James Barney Marsh designed hundreds of these elegant steel-reinforced concrete "rainbow" bridges, patented in 1911, which you can still find scattered throughout the Midwest. I am always captivated by the beauty of this bridge every time I go across it. (You don't have to, as it's now been bypassed, but it is still maintained so you can do so.)

    MARSH ARCH BRIDGE Outside Riverton, Kansas An engineer and bridge designer from North Lake, Wisconsin, James Barney Marsh designed hundreds of these elegant steel-reinforced concrete "rainbow" bridges, patented in 1911, which you can still find scattered throughout the Midwest. I am always captivated by the beauty of this bridge every time I go across it. (You don't have to, as it's now been bypassed, but it is still maintained so you can do so.)

  • "RAINBOW" ARCH BRIDGE PERSPECTIVE Outside Riverton, Kansas A little closer shot to show off the bridge's beautiful lines -- also yet another painted road marker.

    "RAINBOW" ARCH BRIDGE PERSPECTIVE Outside Riverton, Kansas A little closer shot to show off the bridge's beautiful lines -- also yet another painted road marker.

  • "RAINBOW" ARCH BRIDGE Outside Riverton, Kansas And a side view to fully show off the bridge's flowing lines. Not only is this bridge design extremely functional, it's a work of art.

    "RAINBOW" ARCH BRIDGE Outside Riverton, Kansas And a side view to fully show off the bridge's flowing lines. Not only is this bridge design extremely functional, it's a work of art.

  • WELCOME BANNER Baxter Springs, Kansas This town was another popular stopping spot on old Route 66 back in its heyday. Another quiet little town, but again that could be do to the early hour. The town still thrives today.

    WELCOME BANNER Baxter Springs, Kansas This town was another popular stopping spot on old Route 66 back in its heyday. Another quiet little town, but again that could be do to the early hour. The town still thrives today.

  • BAXTER SPRINGS VISITOR CENTER Baxter Springs, Kansas This used to be what is called a "cottage" style Phillips 66 gas station, something Phillips Petroleum was quite famous for. It's now been converted to the town's Visitor Center having been restored to its original gas station theme. The last time I was through here it was a dance studio.

    BAXTER SPRINGS VISITOR CENTER Baxter Springs, Kansas This used to be what is called a "cottage" style Phillips 66 gas station, something Phillips Petroleum was quite famous for. It's now been converted to the town's Visitor Center having been restored to its original gas station theme. The last time I was through here it was a dance studio.

  • CAFE ON THE ROUTE Baxter Springs, Kansas This was to be one of the targeted eateries on my "Doug's Diner Dash" trip from Acadia Natioal Park in Maine to Big Bend National Park in Texas. I was given the theme for the trip by one of our Human Resource Specialists, who suggested it based on a Food Network show, "Guy's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." It was great fun, but unfortunately, this one was closed when I breezed through on my trip. Apparently they don't do breakfast.

    CAFE ON THE ROUTE Baxter Springs, Kansas This was to be one of the targeted eateries on my "Doug's Diner Dash" trip from Acadia Natioal Park in Maine to Big Bend National Park in Texas. I was given the theme for the trip by one of our Human Resource Specialists, who suggested it based on a Food Network show, "Guy's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." It was great fun, but unfortunately, this one was closed when I breezed through on my trip. Apparently they don't do breakfast.

  • ROUTE 66 SODA SHOP Baxter Springs, Kansas At first, I thought -- and hoped -- that this place was the Cafe on the Route I was seeking, but it's not. In fact, it's not even a soda shop anymore, either, but a sort of library/research center. It's even closed to the general public, if you can believe that. What a shame! Beautiful place, though, with all that chrome and the classic glass brick entryway.

    ROUTE 66 SODA SHOP Baxter Springs, Kansas At first, I thought -- and hoped -- that this place was the Cafe on the Route I was seeking, but it's not. In fact, it's not even a soda shop anymore, either, but a sort of library/research center. It's even closed to the general public, if you can believe that. What a shame! Beautiful place, though, with all that chrome and the classic glass brick entryway.

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    THIS HAPPENS Somewhere between McLean and Springfield, Illinois Sorry I can't be more specific about the location, but I just don't remember. This isn't the first time this will happen, as the road was re-directed several times over its lifetime.
    ROUTE 66 POSTCARD
    SHEA'S ROUTE 66 GAS STATION MUSEUM Springfield, Illinois Now this is what I call a Route 66 museum. The owner, Bill Shea, has been a Texaco dealer since back in the 50s and he's very proud of it. For anyone who loves to prowl around old places and gawk at old stuff, this the place for you.