According to my GPSies track, there is only 12.7 miles of route 66 in Kansas.
Route 66 Slideshow
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:16:42
We have finally made it to the Route.
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:20:33
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:21:21
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:23:28
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:24:17
- 2012/10/19 Friday 13:25
St Line Convenience
1 (417) 627-0872
1117 State Line Road, Joplin, MO 64804
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:27:10
Our official jumping off point for our Route 66 pilgrimage is this convenience store at State Line Road and US route 66 in Joplin, Missouri. Across the street is the state of Kansas.
After much delay we begin our journey.
We drove about a block north from the convenience store on state line to pick up the old alignment of route 66 coming into Galena, Kansas. Our first stop will be 4 Women on the Route.
GALENA, KANSAS
US 66 and North Main Street, Galena, Kansas. This is sort of the back way into Galena, but it really is the front. Galena is an old mining town.
In the past, we have driven the front way, which is the latest alignment of the route. From this source http://www.kansastravel.org/route66.htm I learned the newer alignment is from 1961, until this area was bypassed by I-44. That means that the older section we took was in operation from November 11, 1926 until 1961. In taking the back way you find the old alignment with its original 1920's road bed.
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:39:57 -- turning onto the 1920's alignment of Route 66 from State Line Road in Joplin, Missouri. The west side (left side of the picture) is Kansas, and the east side (right side of the picture) is Missouri.
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:40:16 -- you pass through a vey pretty rural stretch of old road before hitting the north side of downtown Galena.
You see downtown to the north as you pass through, and kind of pass the best part of the town. This time, we followed the back way, which is the way the gps with the Ready2Go tour loaded in to it told us to take.
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:42:40 -- Old 66 looking west into Galena. On the left side of the picture (southeast corner) is 4 Women on Route 66. On the right side of the picture (northeast corner) is an old bordello with an interesting history --
When you come into Galena, you cross through an area referred to as "hell's half acre." In researching news stories for this synopsis, I find that the name has to do with the ravages of mining in the area. Melba, of Four Women on Route 66 referred to this stretch of Route 66 as being the only part of the road put under marshall law due to labor violence in the mines.
Here is an article on the not so pretty effects of environmental contamination brought on by un-regulated mining...
Friday, October 19, 2012 13:42:53
We are told the old faded advertisements on this building in Galena made an appearance in the movie "Cars."
- 2012/10/19 Friday 13:44
4 Women On the Route 1 (620) 783-1366 119 North Main Street, Galena, KS 66739 http://m.google.com/u/m/zwRf9I
Here but they look closed. It turns out they were open, and what a treat we had. Melba had to go to the doctor for an appointment, but she made time for us and other tourists. The area had tons of people out with their cameras taking pictures. Melba says she is called 'the mouth.' She proved that to us. Even though she had an urgent appointment, she made time for all of us who were in her shop.
Melba Rigg, of 4 Women on Route 66
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:18:32
"Tow Tater" at 4 Women on the Route.
Tima and Tow Tater
Looking across Main Street from 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kansas
Tima in front of 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kansas
Steffleback Bordello and a current US 66 sign, Galena, Kansas.
Steffleback Bordello, Galena, Kansas
From Route66news.com, I have a link to the Joplin Globe article which details efforts to save and restore this structure, as well as some of the notorious history of this place...
I'm told this "ghost advertisement" appears in the movie "Cars"
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:18:52
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:19:20
Main Street looking south in Galena Kansas from 1st Street.
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:19:32
South of the intersection of US 66, North Main Street becomes south Main Street. This is an older alignment. The new alignment comes straight out of US 66 in Joplin. We rejoin that alignment at east/west 7th street. Again, US 66 is the dividing line between east and west, north and south.
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:19:43
We noticed in driving through downtown Galena, there are a lot of efforts and investment in revitalizing the area. I beleive a lot of this is due to the tourism trade brought on by route 66.
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:19:52
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:20:00
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:20:04
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:20:11
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:20:18
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:20:46
We turn on West 7th Street in Galena, Kansas. US 66 takes us to Riverton, and Baxter Springs. There is only about 12.7 miles of US 66 in Kansas.
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:22:51
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:24:31
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:24:40
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:24:46
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:28:43
We cross over the Rainbow Bridge
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:29:01
You can still drive across the bridge, and for the first time, we did.
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:29:05
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:35:08
Baxter Springs, Kansas. On our first foray down route 66 in March, we stopped in the Phillips 66 station, which is now a museum/gift shop/visitors center. The woman in there was so nice and helpful that she convince my wife that we need to do more of this Route 66 thing. Her hospitality has made 66ers of us.
Here is my blog post from March 17, 2012....
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:35:12
Since we stopped there one time before, and we want to see places we haven't seen before, we passed by the visitors center. Unfortunately, it seems that bypassing anything on Route 66 gives you bad karma. Bypass sparingly and only when necessary.
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:35:30
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:35:34
Friday, October 19, 2012 14:35:38
When you pass through Baxter Springs, at the south end of the city limits you cross right into Oklahoma. Here the roads official name is US 69.
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