Shamrock Court on Route 66 in Sullivan, Missouri
Route 66 across Missouri stretched 317 miles and connected a variety of large cities and small towns, traversing rolling hills and valleys. We've driven much of Route 66, including multiple segments across Missouri and stops in Sullivan, about 70 miles west of St. Louis.
The City of Sullivan straddles the border of Franklin and Crawford counties in Missouri. It has a population of about 7,000 residents. The Meramec River flows through Meramec State Park just to the east of the city. It is located along Interstate I-44 and Historic U.S. Route 66.
The Shamrock Court in SullivanThe Shamrock Court in Sullivan was built in 1947-1948, and was owned and operated by one family for much of its 73 years on Route 66. With very few alterations, the motel retains most of its original design and appearance, including native stone construction known as the “giraffe rock” style. The original "U-shaped" configuration included 10 guest rooms, a check-in area, a dining room with a fireplace for guests, and an owner/manager apartment with a kitchen, bath and bedroom.
During its construction, stonemason artisans incorporated sunbursts, flowers and diamond patterns into the stone design, which added a unique, whimsical touch still present today. With its high pitch dormers, shingled roofs, native stone facades, and distinctive horseshoe-shaped configuration, the motel retains a very high degree of historic integrity. After the passing of its owners, the property became vacant and underwent significant deterioration. With demolition on the horizon, a new owner stepped in to rescue and stabilize the buildings, with plans to bring the Shamrock Court back to life as a functioning motel. The new owner is Rich Dinkela, widely known as "Roamin’ Rich" ... he has been a strong advocate and publicist for any and all things about the community of Route 66 and other old US highways. Read more about Rich at HookedOnRoute66.com It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 28, 2022. Grant funds will assist stabilizing the building through restoration of the subfloors, dormers, roof, gutters, HVAC system, electrical system, and plumbing system. On March 19, 2022, the Shamrock's neon sign was relit for the first time in years after restoration (see photo below). Restoration continues in 2026 at this historic property ... read more about the current status of the project, and make a donation, at ... |
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Present-day neon sign at the Shamrock Court, lovingly restored! |
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Restoration progress on the exterior of the Shamrock Court in 2025 |
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| Vintage postcards of the Shamrock Court | ||
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Interactive Map of Sullivan showing the location of the Shamrock Court
Best-Selling Route 66 Books and Maps at our Amazon Store |
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| Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places by Mark Watson  |
Route 66 Full-throttle Adventure Handbook, by Drew Knowles  |
| EZ66 Guide for Travelers (5th Edition) by Jerry McClanahan  |
Rand McNally 2026 Road Atlas Large Scale Spiral Bound  |
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More Information & Resources about Sullivan |
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Lodging Options Along Route 66 in Eastern Missouri
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Road Trip Travel Guides for Various States Along Route 66
Need help and ideas when planning your road trip on Route 66? Here are travel guides and reviews by state...
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