Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs rededicated after repainting, other improvements

Local and Route 66 officials attended the rededication of the century-old Marsh Arch Bridge, also known as the Rainbow Bridge, near Baxter Springs, Kansas. State and county officials, plus members of the Route 66 Association of Kansas and the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, representatives from Galena and Baxter Springs and local business owners attended the … Continue reading Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs rededicated after repainting, other improvements

Ribbon-cutting to mark completion of renovations on Rainbow Bridge set for May 2

The Route 66 Association of Kansas recently announced it will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovations to the century-old Marsh Arch Bridge (aka Rainbow Bridge) near Baxter Springs, Kansas. The ceremony will be at 1 p.m. that day. The association uploaded a bunch of before-and-after images of the refurbished bridge. The … Continue reading Ribbon-cutting to mark completion of renovations on Rainbow Bridge set for May 2

New, history-themed mural dedicated in Baxter Springs

City leaders of Baxter Springs, Kansas, on Monday held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to mark the completion of the enormous "The Baxter Springs Historical Mural" that features Route 66 and other touchstones of the city's past. A meet-the-artists event for the father-and-son team of A.J. and Jordan Wood also will be held from 10 a.m. to … Continue reading New, history-themed mural dedicated in Baxter Springs

Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs in line for funding to repaint it

One way or another, it appears the Marsh Arch Bridge, aka Rainbow Bridge, on old Route 66 near Baxter Springs, Kansas, will be repainted before the highway's centennial in 2026. According to the Galena Sentinel-Times, Gearhead Curios owner Aaron Perry and Machelle Smith of the Route 66 Association of Kansas recently approached the Cherokee County … Continue reading Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs in line for funding to repaint it

Route 66 Association of Kansas to offer its own Route 66 Passport

This week, the Route 66 Association of Kansas will offer its own version of a Route 66 Passport. The Galena Sentinel-Times in Galena, Kansas, is publishing the passports for the association. The 32-page publication includes a map of the route in Kansas, plus photos, hours of operation, phone numbers and other information about Route 66 … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Kansas to offer its own Route 66 Passport

Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66

The Public Art Committee of Baxter Springs, Kansas, announced a forthcoming public mural emphasizing the town's history, including Route 66. According to the Spring River Current and KSNF-TV, the mural will be funded by a $7,500 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Office of Rural Development, with matching funds from the Ronald … Continue reading Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66

Marsh Arch Bridge near Baxter Springs marks its 100th anniversary

The landmark Marsh Arch Bridge, aka the Rainbow Bridge or Brush Creek Bridge, near Baxter Springs, Kansas, celebrated its 100th birthday this week. According to several online sources, including the well-researched Vintage St. Louis and Route 66 page on Facebook, the bridge opened on Dec. 20, 1923 -- about three years before U.S. 66 was … Continue reading Marsh Arch Bridge near Baxter Springs marks its 100th anniversary

Ground broken on Route 66 roadside park next to Route 66 Welcome Center in Baxter Springs

Members of the Baxter Springs Historical Society in Baxter Springs, Kansas, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony on a Route 66 roadside park that will be next to the city's Route 66 Welcome Center. According to a report in the Joplin Globe, the project will offer parking for downtown, a mural and a statue commemorating Baxter Springs' … Continue reading Ground broken on Route 66 roadside park next to Route 66 Welcome Center in Baxter Springs

Longtime Kansas Route 66 advocate Carolyn Pendleton dies

Carolyn Pendleton, a longtime advocate for the 13 miles of Route 66 in Kansas, died last week after being in declining health. She was 80. Pendleton was director of the Route 66 Visitor Center in Baxter Springs, housed in a former Phillips 66 gas station that was renovated about 15 years ago. In 2009, Pendleton … Continue reading Longtime Kansas Route 66 advocate Carolyn Pendleton dies

Man suffers serious injuries after falling from top of Marsh Arch Bridge near Baxter Springs

A 24-year-old man was in critical condition late Friday after falling from the top of the historic Marsh Arch Bridge, aka Rainbow Bridge, near Baxter Springs, Kansas, earlier that day. KOAM-TV reports the local sheriff said the man suffered traumatic injuries after he fell from the Route 66 bridge to the roadway. The accident occurred … Continue reading Man suffers serious injuries after falling from top of Marsh Arch Bridge near Baxter Springs