Route 66 Neon Signs

U.S Highway 66 was the "Mother Road" that carried America's modern westward expansion. From Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean that long ribbon of blacktop carried a new breed of Americans along with their hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow. U.S. 66 is no longer a recognized highway, but it is still in our hearts and minds. Share with me the beacons of the night that beckoned travelers heading west to sleep, dine, or stop for a visit.

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A Lincoln Motel-Springfield, IL
I believe this sign and motel are longer with us. This is sadly becoming a...

66 Motel Court-Litchfield, IL
Litchfield is northeast of St Louis.

Medich's Restaurant-St Louis,MO
Another great Route 66 dining spot.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard-St Louis, MO
A Route 66 icon. So busy in summer it's waits are longer than the...

Coral Court-St Louis, MO
Sadly this sign and the motel were razed to make way for a housing addition.

Yorkshire Cleaners-St Louis, MO
Located near the old Coral Court Motel.

Crestwood Bowling Alley-St Louis,MO
This business is located on the SW side of St Louis.

Westward HOtel-Kirkwood, MO
Great sign in a suburb of St Louis.

Red Cedar Inn-Pacific, MO
It's definitely a log cabin and the food's pretty good, too.

Gardenway Motel-Pacific, MO
Located on the west edge of town. Route 66 begins to leave the urban...

Wagon Wheel Motel-Cuba, MO
Really neat two cycle sign, but this view shows the most.

Finn's Motel-St James, MO
Another small mom & pop place along the road.

Sullivan Motel-St James, MO
Another place to spend the night next to the old road.

Munger Moss Motel-Lebanon, MO
A nice clean place to stay. It even has a room 66

Forest Manor Motel-Lebanon, MO
Just across the street from the Munger Moss, this is another place to...

Starlite Lanes-Lebanon, MO
A little sporting action next to old 66.

Rest Haven Motel-Springfield, MO
Located at the east end of Springfield, MO this original Route 66 motel sign...

Glenstone Court-Springfield, MO
This is one of the few remaining old motels along Route 66 in Springfield.

Carlyle Motel-Oklahoma City, OK
Another nice place to spend the night alongside the Mother Road.

66 Bowl-Oklahoma City, OK
Lots of bowling alleys along on 66.

Blue Swallow Motel-Tucumcari, NM
This is my favorite Route 66 sign.

Cactus Motel-Tucumcari, NM
Another of the motels that made this a favorite stop on the old road.

Lasso Motel-Tucumcari, NM
Another Tucumcari night sight

Palomino Motel-Tucumcari, NM
Another nice motel in Tucumcari.

Buckaroo Motel-Tucumcari, NM
Yep, another one!

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article published 4/8/2002

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Great Signs!
Wow! You captured so much of the essence of the old Route 66. Unfortunately, now a lot of the signs have changed or the old motels have been torn down. Kathleen
— Kathleen E Kelley, March 14, 2006

I plan to bike as much of Route 66 as is
I'm currently living in Europe. However, someday I plan to bike as much of Route 66 as is left at that time. Any pictures and information of the area you have would be greatly apprectiated. I used to watch the TV serries as a kid in Arkansas.
— Archie L. Tucker, July 7, 2003

great shots and idea, taking the signs.
— Pam Potter, September 23, 2002

Brings back lots of memories from as far back as the 40s when I made my first trips to California. Westward Motel in a St. Louis suburb is a goner too, now a Hampton Inn. Thanks for recording this memorablilia. Enjoyed it!
— Georgeann Gaebe, May 4, 2002

My favorites! A fascinating piece of Americana. Do/did they really eat frogs (legs?) at Medich's? Great stuff.
— David Gilbert, April 23, 2002

Very interesting topic and great collections. Don't know how to describe my feeling, but really enjoyed. Thanks. Regards
— Yu-Chia Chang, April 9, 2002