A committee of citizens, engineers and city officials in Carthage, Missouri, is hoping to come up with a solution to save its iconic Whee Bridge on Route 66, but it is running into the same obstacles -- namely, the railroad -- as previous city administrations. The Joplin Globe reported that a federal court in 2019 … Continue reading Carthage committee hopes to come up with solution to preserve Whee Bridge
Tag: Carthage
Boots Court Visitors Center designated as the Carthage’s visitors center
The city council of Carthage, Missouri, officially designated the Boots Court Visitors Center at the Boots Court motel as the city’s visitors center. The city will contribute $3,000 monthly to the visitors center's operation, reported the Joplin Globe (subscription required). The council voted unanimously to give final approval to the ordinance after hearing from Boots … Continue reading Boots Court Visitors Center designated as the Carthage’s visitors center
TV travel host Samantha Brown travels Route 66 from St. Louis to Tulsa
A few roadies have recommended this, and upon watching it, so do I. The "Samantha Brown's Places to Love" travel show on PBS-TV recently aired. This 25-minute episode features Route 66 from St. Louis to Tulsa. It includes Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Gearhead Curios, Uranus Missouri, a mural artist in Cuba, Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios … Continue reading TV travel host Samantha Brown travels Route 66 from St. Louis to Tulsa
Oak Street Bridge, aka Whee Bridge, in Carthage may have only one year left before it’s closed
The historic Oak Street Bridge that carries Route 66 in Carthage, Missouri, badly needs repairs and may have to close within a year if it fails a state inspection. The bridge is also known as the Whee Bridge or Tickle Tummy Hill because of its steep apex. The Joplin Globe reported: Carthage Public Works Director … Continue reading Oak Street Bridge, aka Whee Bridge, in Carthage may have only one year left before it’s closed
Fire damages Dazy Courts Apartments in Carthage; injuries reported
A fire on Thursday damaged the Dazy Courts Apartments and Sleeping Rooms, formerly a motel just off Route 66, in Carthage, Missouri. KOAM-TV reported several people were treated for smoke inhalation, and one was taken to a hospital. The fire affected the north side of the complex, which contained six units. The south side was … Continue reading Fire damages Dazy Courts Apartments in Carthage; injuries reported
Red Oak II owner plans to preserve historic La Grange School near Carthage
The owner of the Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri, acquired the historic La Grange School and said plans to preserve the building that dates to the 1860s. The Joplin Globe reported Red Oak II owner Larry Syrnek bought the school and its one acre of land for $35,000 from a farmer who had … Continue reading Red Oak II owner plans to preserve historic La Grange School near Carthage
Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage
Fulfilling the dreams of its late founder, a small train recently was added near the replica railroad depot at the famed Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe, Larry Sernyk, who owns several buildings in Red Oak II and also lives there, worked with a crew to install the train … Continue reading Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage
Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
Deborah "Debbie Dee" Real, a manager for the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, during a key time in its revival, has died. She was 73. Real regularly greeted overnight visitors in the Route 66 motel's front office when Deb Harvey and her sister, Priscilla Bledsaw, owned it. The sisters oversaw improvements to the motel, … Continue reading Former Boots Court motel manager Deborah “Debbie Dee” Real dies
Boots Court Foundation receives award from Carthage Historic Preservation
The Boots Court Foundation received the Golden Hammer award from Carthage (Mo.) Historic Preservation for its work in preserving the Route 66 motel. The organization also honored the Phelps Country House -- the first time it gave out two awards in one year. Steve Wagner, co-chairman of the preservation group, talked to the Joplin Globe … Continue reading Boots Court Foundation receives award from Carthage Historic Preservation
Boots Court motel in Carthage wins $120,000 grant to beautify its visitors center
The city council of Carthage, Missouri, approved a $120,000 grant to the foundation of the Boots Court motel to create green space and other improvements at its adjacent visitors center. The vote by the council was 8-1, with the only dissenting voter saying he supported the historic Route 66 motel but wanted more information about … Continue reading Boots Court motel in Carthage wins $120,000 grant to beautify its visitors center