Only five days after it launched, a GoFundMe campaign to repair architectural neon lighting at the Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri, met its goal of $4,000. That was the estimated cost to fix the neon, which was damaged by a severe hailstorm last week, with some stones measuring 2 inches in diameter. As of early Tuesday, … Continue reading Fundraising goal met to fix Boots Court’s hail-damaged neon
Tag: Carthage
Boots Court, 66 Drive-In suffer hail damage
At least two Route 66 landmarks -- the Boots Court motel and the 66 Drive-In theater -- suffered extensive damage from a severe hailstorm early Sunday, mostly to their neon lighting. KTTS radio showed a photo of hailstones at least 2 inches in diameter that fell in the Carthage area. The storm injured at least … Continue reading Boots Court, 66 Drive-In suffer hail damage
66 Drive-In in Carthage changes owners
The 66 Drive-In theater in Carthage, Missouri, is changing owners for the first time in about 30 years. Fortunately, the new proprietors are familiar with how the place is run. The Carthage Press reports the the longtime owners of the Route 66 landmark, Mark and Dixie Goodman, have sold it to former local sheriff's deputy … Continue reading 66 Drive-In in Carthage changes owners
New bridges in Carthage to reopen no later than mid-September
The Missouri Department of Transportation this week approved a contract to replace two Missouri 96 (aka Route 66) bridges on the northeast side of Carthage. The road will reopen no later than Sept. 15, but the $6.2 million contract with Clarkson Construction Co. in Kansas City contains incentives if it finishes the job quicker. Given that, it's not … Continue reading New bridges in Carthage to reopen no later than mid-September
Missouri’s new old Route 66 bridge
Jasper County officials on Wednesday marked the dedication of a new bridge on old Route 66 west of Carthage, Missouri, designed to resemble the 1922 bridge it replaced. Above is a Larry Askren photo, via Facebook, of the new bridge as it was being built in September. The vintage Art Deco details were clear even then. … Continue reading Missouri’s new old Route 66 bridge
MoDOT accelerates replacement of Carthage bridge
The Missouri Department of Transportation is greatly accelerating the replacement of a railroad bridge on Missouri 96, aka Route 66, on the northeast side of Carthage, Missouri, giving hope the project will prove much less disruptive to Route 66 businesses. According to the Carthage Press, the highway agency will: Seek bids for the bridge's replacement in December, … Continue reading MoDOT accelerates replacement of Carthage bridge
Book review: “Route 66: A Trail of Tears”
This isn't a Route 66 nostalgia book. "Route 66: A Trail of Tears" (514 pages, soft cover, self-published) offers vivid evidence why some people regarded the highway with anguish and dread during its heyday. Historian Barry Duncan compiled hundreds of black-and-white photographs of accidents along a stretch of the Mother Road in southwest Missouri from the 1950s to the 1970s. The … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66: A Trail of Tears”
Carthage compromise may aid Route 66 travelers
The city of Carthage, Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Transportation may have hammered out a compromise that will lead to a better bridge-project detour for Route 66 travelers and give maintenance to those old bridges on the detour. The Carthage Press reports the agreement that will be voted on by the city council Oct. 25: … Continue reading Carthage compromise may aid Route 66 travelers
Carthage bridge unexpectedly closes to traffic
A 1934 railroad overpass that brought Route 66 into Carthage, Missouri, unexpectedly closed Thursday after an inspection showed serious deterioration. Ron Hart at the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce reported the bridge already was scheduled to be demolished in April and will not reopen until late 2017. Hart also made a new map that aims … Continue reading Carthage bridge unexpectedly closes to traffic
Route 66 businesses worry about effect of bridge projects
Detours for upcoming replacement of two bridges in Carthage, Missouri, has Route 66 businesses fretting that tourists will bypass their town. The Missouri Department of Transportation will start to replace two bridges on Highway 96 (aka Route 66) on the northeast side of town next spring. The projects won't be finished until fall 2017. The official detour when the … Continue reading Route 66 businesses worry about effect of bridge projects