Historic U.S. Route 66 in Carthage
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"The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Starting in Chicago, westbound travelers traversed a series of towns in Illinois before arriving in St. Louis.
Heading westbound in Missouri, the route traveled through these cites and towns:
- St. Louis
- Cuba
- Rolla
- Lebanon
- Springfield
- Carthage
- Brooklyn Heights
- Joplin
Historic U.S. Route 66 Byway in Missouri |
Route 66 across Missouri stretched 317 miles and connected a variety of large cities and small towns, traversing rolling hills and valleys. The Mother Road followed much of the Kickapoo, or Osage, Trail, an Indian trail that later became the Old Wire Road. Like other Route 66 segments, the actual alignment varied over the years as engineering improvements were constructed. We've driven much of Route 66, including multiple segments across Missouri, and visits to Carthage. |
Carthage Missouri ... Background
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A popular stop on Route 66 today is the town of Carthage, situated between Springfield and Joplin. It features numerous Route 66 attractions and other things to do, and offers a variety of overnight lodging options for travelers.
It was founded in 1841, and is county seat of Jasper County.
U.S. Highways 66 and 71 came through Carthage in the 1920s, and the town experienced a stream of cross-country traffic. One of the first concrete-paved portions of Missouri's highway system was the stretch of road west of Carthage to Joplin laid in 1920. Route 66 intersected with U.S. Route 71 at the present intersection of Central and Garrison Avenue. Route 66 was eventually re-routed, and replaced in the 1960s with Interstate 44 south of town.
 Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage |
Carthage Missouri Today
Today Lebanon is an energetic, thriving town of over 14,000 residents. In addition to Route 66 attractions such as the 66 Drive-in Theatre, a number of other places are popular with residents and visitors, including these:
- Jasper County Courthouse, one of the most photographed buildings in Missouri, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Red Oak II
- Historic Carthage Square
- Powers Museum
- Boots Motel
- Carthage Municipal Park
- Stones Throw Theatre
Map showing the approximate location of Carthage on Historic Route 66 in Missouri
Welcome to Carthage, Missouri ... home of friendly folks! |
Scenes Around CarthageOne of the first concrete-paved portions of Missouri’s highway system was the stretch of road west of Carthage to Joplin, laid in 1920. In 1926, this route became part of Route 66. Along the route today travelers find Kellogg Lake, Powers Museum, Carthage Municipal Park, Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre, 66 Drive-In Theatre (below) and the 1939 Boots Court (right). Official website of the Boots Court ... Phone 417.310.2989 |
Historic Boots Court, Route 66, Carthage |
66 Drive-In Theatre, Carthage, Missouri It is located at 17231 Old 66 Boulevard in Carthage. Phone 417.359.5959 For more information, opening dates and show times, visit the official website of the 66 Drive-In Theatre |
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![66 Drive-In Theatre, Carthage, Missouri](images/photos-missouri/carthage/66-drive-in-theater-carthage-missouri.jpg "\") |
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| Red Oak II, northeast of Carthage | |
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Gay Parita Sinclair Filling StationThe original structure on this site near Carthage was built in 1930 by Fred and Gay Mason. Fred named the station "Gay Parita" after his wife Gay. The station burned in 1955 and did not reopen. It was later lovingly recreated by Gary and Lena Turner in 2005. Gary passed away in 2015, and the site is commonly known today as "Gary's Gay Parita". Barbara Barnes, Gary's daughter, and George Bowick continue to operate the station today. It is located between Halltown and Spencer, Missouri, about 25 miles west of Springfield, 3 miles west of Halltown and close to Carthage. Route 66 roadtrippers always make a stop at this station, at 21118 Old Highway 66, Ash Grove, Missouri (see map below). Highly recommended! For more information, visit Gary's Gay Parita website and Gay Parita on Facebook or phone 843.324.6661
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Lodging Options in Carthage
Carthage, Missouri Travel Guide Carthage, Missouri hotels, traveler reviews and reservations |
Interactive Map of Carthage, Missouri
More Information & Resources about Carthage |
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Earlier Times: Vintage Views along Route 66 in Carthage
We have included below a sampling of our collection of vintage travel postcards dealing with Carthage and Route 66. What was Route 66 like in its earlier years, as visitors drove around and through Carthage? What did all the service stations, motels and public buildings look like when they were new? What did the traveling public experience on the Mother Road? We wonder such things when we travel Route 66 today. Those earlier times in the 1930s, 40s and 50s were not always captured on film. But the use of colorful postcards was common in those decades. These portray the historic road in its prime and help us to visualize, and appreciate, "earlier times" as we drive Route 66 today around Carthage. |
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