Kansas Route 66 - Information about the Kansas Mother Road

LEGENDARY ROUTE 66

The Kansas Ribbon of the Mother Road

The short sojourn of the Mother Road through Kansas is the shortest of any state at just 13.2 miles. But, don’t for a moment, discount this brief journey, as in these few short miles, there is more of the Route 66 experience than any other dozen miles on the Mother Road. This brief stretch of the road also provides a peek at Civil War history, the Old West, and the mining days of the tri-state area.

The Kansas Mother Road was completely paved in 1929 and was never bypassed by the Interstates that sidestepped so much of Route 66. Though the road zigs and zags along section lines, the route is well-marked and easy to follow.

Heading out of Joplin, Missouri, you will see blighted land that looks a bit like a battle zone. From years of lead and zinc mining, the area has been left scarred by this industry that petered out in the 1970’s. Referred to as “Hell’s Half Acre,” there can be glimpsed a beauty in the devastation.

Kathy Weiser, October, 2007

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

In Galena you can stop and see the Howard Litch Historical and Mining Museum that exhibits the history of the mining industry and the terrible union fallout in the 1930’s, which left Galena’s streets bathed in blood.. As you turn south on Main Street you will be on the road that was once called Red Hot Street, as the saloons and bawdy houses stayed open twenty-four hours, catering to the many miners of the area.

Three miles down the road you will cross the Spring River and come to the small town of Riverton which houses the old Eisler Brothers Store, built in 1925.

After leaving Riverton, you will soon come upon the Rainbow Bridge, built in 1923, and the only one left still standing on Route 66. Though doomed for destruction, the Kansas Route 66 Association, the Kansas Route 66 Association convinced the officials of Cherokee County to leave the Brush Creek Bridge standing as a historic landmark. Fully refurbished today, It is in such good condition, that you can still drive over it.

Rainbow Bridge just north of Baxter Springs, Kansas.

Kathy Weiser, September, 2007

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

Old Route 66 continues on into Baxter Springs on Willow Ave., turns left on Third Street and then right onto Military Ave. Baxter Springs is filled with history from the Civil War and provides a great look at several Route 66 vintage buildings.

At the Heritage Center and Museum, you can learn all about the history of Route 66, as well as the battles that were fought in this 19^th century town that was once visited by the likes of the James-Younger gang, the Dalton Gang, the outlaw Henry Starr, and Bonnie and Clyde.

Enjoy the friendly hospitality of these Kansas natives before trekking on into Oklahoma!!

The Route 66 Shield is proudly displayed on the road into Galena, Kansas

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Galena Kansas Mining

Abandoned Lead and Zinc Mines near Galena, Kansas. Photo courtesy John Charlton, Kansas Geological Survey

See the Kansas 66 Gallery of Pictures

To Galena

Return to Route 66

To Kansas 66 Main

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Custom Postcards - Legends of America and the Rocky Mountain General Store introduces our own line of custom postcards. Utilizing original graphic designs and our own photographs, these postcards are exclusive and can only be found here! To see this new and expanding collection, click HERE!