After the clean-up; however, the area was still dangerous, as old mining shafts and tunnels still run beneath the area and, in 2006, a mine collapse caused  two historic buildings in Galena to cave way. Stabilization of buildings is an on-going effort today.

Galena is called home to about 3,000 people today and provides peeks at a number of historic buildings, including vintage examples of the Mother Road, as well as architecture from the booming cattle and mining days of this historic city.

A must stop along the Route 66 is 4 Women on the Route, housed in an old KanOtex Service Station, which provides sandwiches, snacks, and Route 66 memorabilia. Right beside the station is  "Tow Tater," a a 1951 International boom truck that was the inspiration for "Tow Mater" in the movie Cars.

Just across the street to the north is the old Steffleback House.

Make sure to stop at the Howard Litch Historical and Mining Museum to learn all about Galena's rich history.

Galena is four miles north of the Oklahoma border and immediately west of the Missouri state line.

f you're traveling Route 66, keep your eyes wide open because the next small town on the Kansas Mother Road is just some three miles down the road. Enjoy the ride as you head to Riverton, Kansas.

Galena, Kansas today, Kathy Weiser, June, 2010.

© Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated June, 2010.