Road trip on Historic Route 66 to Baxter Springs, Kansas



Road Trip on Route 66 to Baxter Springs

Kansas Route 66 sign

As Route 66 left Joplin, Missouri, it was only a short distance westbound to the Kansas border. The route through Kansas was the shortest of all the states, only about 13 miles.

It traveled through Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs. From there it entered Commerce, Oklahoma, and headed southwest through Miami, Afton, Chelsea and Claremore and Tulsa.

Although the Route through Kansas is short, there are a number of attractions for Mother Road travelers, such as the following in Baxter Springs:

  • Rainbow Curve Bridge, constructed in 1923 over Brush Creek ... the only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on Route 66
  • Angels on the Route -  formerly a drug store, treasure shop and donut shop, it is now a top rated restaurant in Baxter Springs
  • Baxter Springs Phillips 66 service station - now a popular Visitors Center
  • Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum

Baxter Springs is a city in Cherokee County, located along Spring River and Historic U.S. Route 66. It has a population over 4,000 residents.

Work continues on Baxter Springs’ $200K park project
Four States Home Page - 10/26/2023

 

Map of Historic Route 66 through Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs in Kansas
Click the map for an interactive routing map
Map of Historic Route 66 through Kansas
Entering Kansas, on Historic Route 66
Entering Kansas, on Historic Route 66
Kansas Miracle Fold Road Map from MobilGas

Baxter Springs Visitors Center

The Baxter Springs, Kansas, Visitors Center is located at 740 East Avenue in a restored circa 1930 Phillips 66 Service Station ... added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Visitors Center Website

Baxter Springs Visitors Center in Kansas on Historic Route 66

Baxter Springs, Kansas, Visitor Center in a restored Phillips 66 Service Station

Baxter Springs Visitors Center seen in this photo taken November, 2018.


Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum

Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum in Kansas

The Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum, functioning under the Baxter Springs Historical Society, is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich regional history of Baxter Springs, Kansas.

The 20,000 sqft facility is filled with exhibits depicting the various stages of the city's history from the days of the Osage Indians through the Civil War and the lead and zinc mining era. It is located at 740 East Avenue in Baxter Springs.

For more information, visit the Heritage Center & Museum Website or phone 620.856.2385


Rainbow Curve Bridge
Baxter Springs, KS

Sign at the Rainbow Curve Bridge, constructed in 1923 over Brush Creek ... the only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on Route 66.

Sign at the Rainbow Curve Bridge, constructed in 1923 over Brush Creek ... the only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on Route 66

It has been repainted white, and earned a place in 1983 on the National Register of Historic Places.

Baxter Springs, KS, site of the Rainbow Bridge on Old Route 66
Baxter Springs, Kansas, site of the Rainbow Bridge on Old Route 66

Mural on the Bricks & Brews Grill & Pub in Baxter Springs, KS
Mural on the Bricks & Brews Grill & Pub in Baxter Springs, KS

Mural on the Monarch Pharmacy and Soda Fountain in Baxter Springs
Mural on the Monarch Pharmacy and Soda Fountain in Baxter Springs, KS


Interactive Map of Baxter Springs, Kansas


More Information about Baxter Springs

Baxter Springs Visitor Center Website

Baxter Springs Oil & Gas Station: NPS

Heritage Center & Museum Website

Weather Conditions at Baxter Springs: Weather Underground

Kansas Historic Route 66 Association

 

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From Kansas to Tulsa

Route 66 Road Trip from Kansas to Tulsa, Oklahoma