A few days ago, a 100-foot-wide Centennial Arch was raised along Front Street (aka old Route 66) in Galena, Kansas, though it’s not completely finished.
Former Galena mayor Dale Oglesby came up with the idea for Route 66’s centennial in 2026 almost 15 years ago, reported KSNF-TV in nearby Joplin, Missouri.
In fact, some of the parts are barrel trusses that came from the gymnasium of Joplin’s East Middle School, which was destroyed in the tornado.
“I think it’s something to make us smile, something to make out Four States community — not just Galena. It goes from Commerce to — you know, I think it’s the Route 66 community — gives us something to be proud of. This is something that’s special. It’s important. And it’s really commemorative of the — what’s all be happening on Route 66 for the last hundred years,” said Oglesby.
Visit Joplin MO touted the archway in a social media post:
Signs and electricity soon will be added to the arch, which is just northeast of Galena’s downtown.
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