Springfield, MO

As you enter Springfield, there is the Rest Haven Court Motel with is classic neon sign that looks a lot like the sign at the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon. 

There is a Route 66 loop that will take you past many Route 66 sites, including the Rail Haven Motel (now a Best Western), the 1926 Gillioz Theater, a vintage Steak-N-Shake, the College Street Cafe', and the College Street Body Shop, all with wonderful Route 66 era signs. You also will pass by an interesting Route 66 mosaic.

Your Springfield tour of Route 66 also will take you past a town square that was the site of one of the most famous shoot outs in Western lore. Wild Bill Hickok and Dave Tut had a dislike for each other because they both were after the same girl. Tut stole Wild Bill's watch and bragged he would wear it on the town square at an appointed time. When that time came, Wild Bill was waiting. Tut drew on Bill and Bill shot him dead. There is a marker on the square commemorating the event.

There are remnants of old Route 66 all over Springfield, and one of the best is the 1945 Rock Fountain Court on College Ave. There are nine original cabins with stone veneers set in a semi-circle. It no longer is a motel. It is called the Melinda Court Apartments.

Most of the rides through Missouri are terrific, but the ride between Springfield and Webb City is exceptional. You will pass through several ghost towns, but many of them have old Route 66 attractions that now are good tourist stops and photo ops. You will not see an interstate Highway. This ride is what Route 66 and motorcycles are all about.