The Carthage Press in Carthage, Mo., reports:
A possible vote next week by the District 7 Transportation Enhancement Program committee may lead to the creation of a Route 66 museum in the Courthouse.
The enhancement funds go toward non-transportation projections such as trails, streetscaping and museums that have a connection with Route 66.
Presiding Commissioner Chuck Surface, who is on the committee, said that Carthage got his highest vote. The Joplin Trails Coalition got Carthage's permission to enhance the Ruby Jack Trail, which they are also working with Oronogo on, as it begins in Carthage and runs to the Kansas state line.
“If we get it, I want to have the museum ready to go by the spring tourist season,” Surface said.
“We try and talk to everyone in this hall. We say when you come back, we'll have a Route 66 museum. They say, ‘really.' They seem excited.”
Brad Belk, curator of the Joplin Museum, is going to be doing the organization and design work for the county's museum on the main floor.