Road Trip on Route 66 to Baxter Springs
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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  |
Entering Kansas, on Historic Route 66  |
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Baxter Springs Visitors CenterThe 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. |
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Baxter Springs Visitors Center seen in this photo taken November, 2018. |
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Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum
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
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Baxter Springs, KS, site of the Rainbow Bridge on Old Route 66 |
Mural on the Bricks & Brews Grill & Pub in Baxter Springs, KS |
Mural on the Monarch Pharmacy and Soda Fountain in Baxter Springs |
Interactive Map of Baxter Springs, Kansas
More Information about Baxter Springs |
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Continuing West |
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