The historic Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, was one of the recipients of the annual Missouri Preservation Honor Awards.
The awards were announced Tuesday at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
Here’s what the nonprofit preservation organization said about the Route 66 landmark:
Boots Court was built in 1939 at the corner of US Highway 71 and Route 66. The Streamline Moderne style motel was built specifically for the Route 66 tourist trade and originally consisted of four small guest rooms, a small office, and a gas station. In 1946, an additional five rooms were constructed in a new building to the rear. Over ensuing years and through many owners, the iconic motel fell into disrepair and only the back five rooms were available for travelers. In 2021, The Boots Court Foundation was established to prevent the motel from further decline and possible demolition, with an overall goal of rehabilitating the structure. While the five back rooms required minimal work, the original structure required extensive repairs. Issues with the flat roof were addressed to prevent further leaking, interior condensation and foundation damage. All of the exterior arched art deco neon lighting was carefully removed, the underlying stucco repaired, and the neon repaired and reinstalled. Original features inside were retained where possible, including original tiled bathrooms, flooring and windows. All new electrical, HVAC and plumbing was installed, and the curved walls that had been removed by a previous owner were reconstructed. Care has been taken to reflect the era through furnishings and decor. Boots Court was approved for listing on the National Register of Historic Places in September 2022. Although its namesake has been saved and rehabbed, Boots Court Foundation has further goals to improve their corner of the community and is currently working on the rehabilitation of a neighboring 1960s Sinclair gas station to be used as a Boots Check-in Office and Visitor Center. The foundation hopes that the revitalization of this well-known corner will spur further interest in saving the many historic buildings in Carthage.
Here are the other award winners:
- The Rozier Award, Susan G. Rehkopf, University City, St. Louis County
- Osmund Overby Award, “Coloring St. Louis: A Coloring Book for All Ages” by Andrew Wanko, art by Rori, St. Louis, and “Lost Jefferson City” by Michelle Brooks, Jefferson City, Cole County
- McReynolds Awards: Rise Community Development, St. Louis; Jill Aboussie, City Restoration & Revival, LLC, St. Louis; and Ellen & Gary Dolan, Friends of the Thompson House, Inc., Trenton, Grundy County
- Preserve Missouri Award: Woodneath Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, Kansas City, Jackson County
- Preserve Missouri Award: Oglesby Hotel Apartments, Kansas City, Jackson County
- Preserve Missouri Award: Casa Di Vite, Excelsior Springs, Clay County
- Preserve Missouri Award: Malone Apartments, St. Louis
- Preserve Missouri Award: Muir-Willard Project, Joplin, Jasper County
- Preserve Missouri Award: Ashcroft Hall Renovation at College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Taney County
- Preserve Missouri Award: Cape Girardeau City Hall Restoration & Addition, Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County
Missouri Preservation has been holding its Honor Awards annually since 2002.
(Image of the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, courtesy of Missouri Preservation)