Kansas Route 66 ||| So much packed into 13 miles!!!

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The first road trip I documented on KZbin was Route 66 back in 2020. I passed through the southeast corner of Kansas in a blink and made a video about 2 minutes long about the tiny portion of the road. I've always wanted to go back and take a deeper dive on that section. We start at the Missouri border and quickly arrive to Galena. From there we head west to Riverton. After crossing the iconic Rainbow Bridge, we take a detour to Lowell (which isn't on Route 66). Finally we arrive to the largest town on the route, Baxter Springs. I had a lot of fun revisiting Kansas Route 66!
T-shirt: Pops - Arcadia, Oklahoma
Part 107 certified drone operator
0:00 Intro and first 2 miles
2:50 Galena
6:38 Riverton
8:49 Rainbow Bridge
10:10 Lowell
11:16 Baxter Springs
15:00 Outtakes
Music
Hickory Hollow - Dan Lebowitz
Moonshine Town - JR Tundra
Valley Drive - The Whole Other

[@jerrysullivan8424]

5TH. :) Route 66 has been my favioite roadtrips. When I was a young Marine back in the mid-1970s I took that route a few times to drive back home from El Toro, back then most of the road was up and running as well as the small towns alone the way. thank you for the memories.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! Such an interesting drive with terrific history!

[@SusanHL]

What a fun day trip this would make! I find your videos are unique because after I watch one, I always want to learn more about several of the things I'm seeing - for instance, the old architecture you so often capture is fabulous - the structures with the corner entrances are so cool, and now I know they're called "camfered" (if anyone reading this knows better, please keep me honest). Small bit of knowlege, but I feel quite delighted about it. Lovely to see that the puppies in your outtakes are as happy to see you as those of us who follow you are, thank you for yet another great video, with beautiful drone shots, fascinating information, etc!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Aww thank you! I definitely think it’s one of Route 66’s hidden gems that doesn’t get talked about as much as it should. Thanks for the new knowledge!!

[@krazmokramer]

Hey SusanHL, thanks for enlightening me about chamfered entrances. I was thinking in previous episodes that those are almost always seen in these smaller, older towns. That must have been the state-of-the-art in architecture around the early 1900s.

[@SusanHL]

@@krazmokramer Hi! Of course - I hope I've got the right end of the stick on that one. Whenever I've seen them in the past, I simply thought it was a handy way of being able to have a door open without precipitation coming in, but I read that they also have to do with building codes and people (drivers?) being able to see safely around corners. I think I have a lot more to learn about them - like so much on Mr. Wise's channel, I learn and see a ton from his videos, which makes me curious to learn more. Eventually I have to stop researching things, or no housework will get done.

[@aliceevans3357]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that sees interesting stuff in these videos and does research on it. Great way to learn new things we'd never know if John hadn't worked so hard to bring them to us.❤

[@aliceevans3357]

Another great video. Loved that you included a few of the headstones. What stories they tell. These were really nice. well kept towns. It's nice seeing the pride folks have in their little burgs. Beautiful day for an adventure. Love the outtakes 😊 Stay safe and GOD bless

[@brendacejda7069]

13 miles that are well worth a stop! I have kindred ties to Baxter Springs, and fond memories of visiting during several Founder's Day celebrations. I was very young back then and thinking those founding story tellers are probably gone now. Your video brings back great memories. Thank you for this!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Great memories - cool place to visit for sure!

[@papabear562]

Hahahaha, even on that short stretch of road you still manage to find playground equipment. 😆 I love your videos. It's amazing that so much history can be found on even the shortest of routes. Great job John.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha thanks! I guess I've still got a little kid in me :)

[@curlyfries5095]

Love that old merry go round! Spent many a day spinning as fast as we could when we were kids.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha same! 😊

[@mattloomis5386]

Used to be in that area a lot growing up, not so much anymore. My mother grew up in Riverton. And my grandpa was the principal at the Riverton school. I appreciate you taking the side trip to Lowell. I've spent a lot of time in that little old Friends church, attending Sunday morning services and family reunions. I also had a great uncle that lived in Baxter and had a used car lot in Galena. A lot of family history in that area. Thanks for the trip!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! You’ve definitely got some connections to this area!

[@dc-py9dz]

When I was a kid the drinking age in Missouri was 21 but it was 18 in Kansas. You can imagine what that meant. I started hanging out in the bars in Galena when I was 16. They didn't care about ID. There was a bar called The Ranch just west of Galena. The band Kansas played there before anyone ever heard of them. Steve Gaines played there before he joined Lynard Skynard. It was a unique time in history. I am so glad I was a part of it.

[@davidlbilke]

The abandoned bridge in Lowel was a street car bridge that ran from Joplin, Missouri to Picher, Oklahoma during the mining days.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very cool!

[@agoodlife2]

I always went through Joplin on 66, thanks for showing me something that I missed

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

You bet! Fun area to explore!

[@SteveRichardson-xi7uf]

The town of Empire situated just north of Galena had a disagreement between the two cities that resulted in several deaths. Just west of the bridge that crosses the creek there is a walkway with a large gate that bars passage. This was erected during the feud.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! I’ve heard of Empire City and need to go back for a ghost town video someday!

[@roberteshaw9520]

Hey coach. It was nice that the car approaching the roundabout eventually decided to step on the brake pedal. The drone over Rainbow bridge did some good work. The spin rate and smoothness @15:37 may be indicative of some recent refurbishing work.Good show.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha yes I'm glad he stopped too! Really beautiful bridge!

[@ronald9279]

I see why you came back. Some real good history. Thanks for the tour

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Always a fun area to visit!

[@DavidsExecutiveTouch17]

Well done video my Friend. You truly went above & beyond showing the area. That 1 Bridge south of Riverton, the newer one, sits next to the old dam lock 1 lane bridge that is now gone. Riding across that thing weekly & on a school bus was 1 of the sketchiest things I think I remember from my youth, thankfully Riverton schools preferred an alternate route later in the 80's that came in on Rt. 66 from the east. The 1 building in Lowell was part of the old hydroelectric generation side for Empire District Electric. You drove right past RHS, where 33 years ago, I walked out of as a graduate. As far as Galena, at the time I graduated, it was 1 of the poorest towns around, dilapidated buildings everywhere and just literally falling into the ground as there is massive undermining all over from the lead & zinc days. A section of Rt.66 entering Galena from the west even caved in in the early 90s shortly after the school bus i was on passed over, another sketchy moment from then😨. The former mayor, though many thought ill of his actions at the time, did 1 heckuva job revitalizing Galena into the tourist spot it is currently through his official duties as mayor. If you return to this area, we would love to meet with you and show you more of the areas around Rt. 66 that many have forgotten or not yet learned of. If you get a moment, John, look thru my wife's channel @Heartland HQ w/ Dink & Tank, we've spent a little bit of time lately going on Daycations around the Route and other nearby small towns., you might check it out if you would be so kind. Thanks again for posting this content, you Did a Superb Job on the video, the drone overflights were awesome as well.... Stay Safe and Be Blessed my Friend & we will be watching for the next one.....👍👏👏👏👏

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome thanks so much! I’ll definitely check out the channel! Appreciate all the info - nice to know how much effort was put back into it!

[@danconverse9678]

I like Route 66. Thanks for covering the Kansas part of it. I enjoyed your show!👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it - it was fun!

[@user-fn7gg1pz7m]

I personally love the state of Kansas... Its interesting yet beautiful in its own way❤❤

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It's a great state!

[@deborahross9974]

Thank you for this trip on route 66 in Kansas. I knew RT 66 went through Kansas but I've never been to that area. The stops you made were fun and the drone shots were fantastic as always. Sometimes I wish I could visit but with gas prices so high and not having my own vehicle, it's hard to drive to these towns on RT 66. My brother says he'd like to travel on RT 66 by motorcycle but I think it's just a dream of his and being a senior citizen I think he's just a little old. Ha! I tell him I'll wait outside of Chicago in a RV for him as I'm not a motorcycle person. Ha! Happy trails to you and God bless.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! It's definitely a great drive and so much to see along the way! Kansas has done a good job with their little part.

[@jlsracing997]

Brings back some memories of when we did the route. Thanks for going back and showing some things not directly on the route.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it - my pleasure!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Great video as always. Kansas sure packs a lot of Route 66 into that 13 miles.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Fun to find this spot in my (almost) backyard! 😊

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Wow, John, thanks for doing this video. I learned a LOT. What beautiful towns. What gems they are. They are sort of living history museums. You can see the pride in their past. Love the old vehicles and buildings. Noted the Texico station, the Phillips station, etc.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

They have done a great job keeping their history alive for us to see!

[@jerrysullivan8424]

One of the major founders of the Pentecostal churches movement back in the 1900s was Parman, " He Died January 29, 1929 (aged 55) Baxter Springs, Kansas, U.S. Occupation Evangelist. It was Charles Fox Parham who associated glossolalia with the baptism in the Holy Spirit, a theological connection crucial to the emergence of Pentecostalism as a distinct movement. Parham was the first preacher to articulate Pentecostalism's distinctive doctrine of evidential tongues, and to expand the movement. The City does not bring that up, but that is a very important part of history. and would bring in more tourist.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Interesting stuff - thanks for the info!

[@ronfullerton3162]

Just a few miles, but quite a bit to look at. Very senic and beautiful area, well worth viewing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

For sure! Great little drive!

[@stevehilliard1495]

Thanks for your effort. Good to see the dogs, God speed 😎

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! It was fun!

[@HistoricallyMarked]

It was two years ago this week I did my 2nd leg of Route 66 (from St. Louis to Clinton, OK) and it took me about 6 days. Spent about 3-4 hours in Kansas alone. There wasn't much at Luigi's at that time. Both information centers were closed. Looks like at 5:01 they have a new Jefferson Highway sign. Old Riverton Store was very cool and I remember buying old-school candy there. Would love to get my kicks on 66 again, hopefully in 2026 (at least that's the plan...if it's not too much of a promotional madhouse). As always, very interesting video!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! It’s always such a fun trip whenever I get back on the route. There’s definitely a lot of touristy stuff but if you go the whole way there’s plenty of wide open spaces too.

[@sueelliott3206]

Fun trip! I love small towns. Thanks for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!

[@krazmokramer]

Cool adventure! Thanks for the views of KS RT 66. 5:14 I had to pause to find Harvey Z100. Someone put in LOTS of time and energy to collect those license plates from every KS county, and to create that flag. The only thing I missed was your interview with Martin Milner and George Maharis. I was really hoping to see their Corvette!!😉 Your swag tee shirt looks good, but the "gold" color NEEDS to be renamed WuShock!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Yes that license plate sign was quite something!

[@lingerlonger]

Thanks John. I enjoyed this very much. We spent some time on that stretch a few years ago. The reminder was nice. You did a good job covering it all.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Fun area to explore and easy to get around!

[@love4travelTV]

Before we actually took some time in Kansas, we would go through it at 100mph or more (not recommended). We did a lot of West to East travelling. This past year we realized some of the amazing places in that state. Thanks for pointing out a few more. I must say, I've never seen a burglar alarm the size of that one in Baxter Springs 🤔. Thanks for the fun video! Safe travels.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I have a video coming out next week driving the route in 2x speed so you can relive your past glory days! :)

[@love4travelTV]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy LOL I will! If you’re going through Kansas, check out our Kansas episode, it’s funny and shows some amazing places to visit. We subscribed to your channel so we can see when you vid airs. 🤙

[@johntrembly2905]

Your videos of Route 66 are how I discovered your channel and now I am a fan. I am grateful for guys like you who are out there documenting these places before they are gone. I assume you've read Michael Wallis' book on Route 66. That's how I became interested then I got his videotape. Then I subscribed to Route 66 Magazine but that sadly is no longer published, but there is ROUTE magazine now.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much - so kind! I've read a lot those books, but can't remember if I've read that one. Lots of great documentation on the Mother Road out there!

[@ChristopherCollinsworth]

Dang it! I hate that I just found your channel today. Wish I would had known you was going to be here. COuld have gave you some more history on my little town of Baxter Springs. Like this is the town that the New York Yankees came and signed Mickey Mantle down at the field on the river. Boney and Clyde hid out here for a while.

[@glorias8540]

Thank you for doing this video! Most especially for covering so much in Baxter Springs. I lived there over 40 years and miss it. The merry go round you spun was on the grounds of the Museum. It was no doubt closed when you were there, but if you ever get a chance to go back, you should tour it. It is very well done, and also contains items from the Picher Ok. museum that had to close in the buy out. Also, about a mile on into town from The Field of Dreams, is a very historical home....one if many in town.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes unfortunately it was closed on a Sunday morning. Would’ve love to have seen it - I’ll go back someday! Thanks!

[@JD-pm9wx]

I've watched pretty much all your videos since you only had a few subs and I always thought you deseverve way more subsciptions . Great work ! ... Again , and well deserved 20k+ subs man !

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very nice of you to say! I’m very appreciative of all the supporters including you!!

[@bglrj]

That was so much fun! Thanks!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

My pleasure! :)

[@pamelacrowe4971]

Thanks for sharing John. Very interesting places. Would love to visit sometime. Reminds of Cuba Mo with all the murals on the buildings. Thanks

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Cuba is another good place to explore - would like to go back there again too!

[@peterselten500]

Hi john thanks for a great tour galena an baxter springs are great towns . Cheers mate🇦🇺

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes they are - thank you!

[@lelandogle9523]

There is so much more to see in this area. Come back and dig deeper.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Is there an online resource or KZbin video you can point me to for all the info you're speaking of? Us out-of-towners don't always know everywhere to go.

[@dc-py9dz]

Bless you! I grew up in that area.

[@johnbatliner827]

In the 1980’s Galena Ks had on of the Largest 18 yr old 3.2 % alcohol bars in the Midwest Kids from Pitt state Kansas South Missouri college and kids from Oklahoma came to drink and dance at I believe it was called Sgt Pepper’s Fun times Never knew rte 66 was in Kansas Thank you

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Interesting!

[@lifewithjosef]

Note at 02:56 there's a Jack Rabbit Trading Post mileage sign across from the gas station. Excellent drone work at the Rainbow Curve Bridge, it's certainly a must stop place. My wife and I filmed right at 14:27 10 years ago. It was in December, and for a California boy, it was certainly brisk! As always...

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Some fun places to explore here in Kansas 66! Hope you’re well!

[@jamesbednar8625]

Awesome video!!! Use to go to Galena/Baxter Springs, KS, a lot during the earlier part of the 2000s just for the Kansas portion of Route 66, then over to Joplin, MO, and then the Spook Lights. Used to do some fishing down in that area as well. That little restaurant in Galena, Cars on the Route, had some great food as well!!! Also, that grey building across the road from the restaurant was at one time an actual BROTHEL and is supposedly HAUNTED. Last time I was down that way around 2013 or so, that brothel was being renovated and haunted tours were being offered - never took any tours because of questionable timing. I bought a guidebook of Route 66 at the restaurant and had the employees autograph it, so have gotten into the habit of having other people sign that book as well whenever am traveling along Route 66 - something to do and different, plus the people seem to get a "kick" out of signing some dork's book. Baxter Springs - north of town on the main route there was a rest area with a large historical sign there describing a battle that took place during 1863. Willam Quantrill attacked and destroyed a Union force marching into town. This was shortly after Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, KS. An African American force was stationed at the fort that was shown in your video and held out until re-enforcements arrived. Also, Baxter Springs was the 1st Cowtown in Kansas. Cattle had to be herded up to the Sedalia, MO, area in order to be shipped to market. The military railroad from Kansas City to Fort Scott to Baxter Springs helped that process out immeasurably after the Civil War. Anyways - THANKS!! for the memories!! Was planning on a return trip down that way, hopefully sometime soon. Also want to re-visit BIG BRUTUS - that rather LARGE piece of mining equipment just a few miles north of that area.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks so much - great comment!

[@julieschossow9315]

Fun video! Can't wait for the other towns in Woodson Co KS.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! I'm planning April 25 and April 28 for those.

[@larryclark4791]

Very interesting 👌

[@stevemccoy8138]

Back in the 70s, we would go to Galena to buy beer. Kid's Gotta drink and chase girls. 😅

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha yes!

[@melindareynolds7867]

Wonderful video! Thank you.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!

[@juliogonzales5441]

Great 👍 RIDE WISEGUY 😅66

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for coming! :)

[@asimplehorseman4648]

I really enjoyed this episode. Thanks John. Thumbs up #500!!(lol)

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much - it was a very enjoyable day!

[@normsweet1710]

NO MORE DRIVING THRU KANSAS 90 mph, yep gonna take my time next time 👍. Great views from your drone also (makes 1/2 the video) ! 😃

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Right on! 😊

[@juanitagarcia958]

Love it! 13 miles of Glory ❤ Baxter Springs looks so historical and would be fun to visit. Love all the Cars stuff! 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’m sure they’d love to have ya!

[@tinman7130]

You could certainly get your kicks on the video of Route 66,. Would it be safe to say that you could get the lead out in that 13 miles of Kansas. Nice that the Baha Men didn't let the dogs out

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha yes! Now that song is in my head 😂

[@Partzman23]

Enjoyed the video 👍😀

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for the visit!

[@toonertimesfour1158]

I spent nearly a day in the Kansas segment just doing photography.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Lots of good stuff for that!

[@nadinamedlin3432]

original 66 was on that side of the tracks by the trains. the ""muffler"" man is supposed to be rebuilt also.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Good to hear!

[@rogerclark9285]

13.2 miles. You forgot to mention that Mickey Mantle played baseball at the field where the city park is in Baxter Springs.

[@kimballamram552]

Mickey Mantle was from Commerce, Oklahoma on Route 66

[@rogerclark9285]

@@kimballamram552 That's about 15 miles from Baxter Springs.

[@kimballamram552]

Galena has fared better than other mining towns in the region as Picher, Oklahoma and Treeece, Kansas have been declared Superfund sites.

[@johnellington1932]

Thanks!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks so much John! Very generous!

[@johnellington1932]

Grew-up SE Missouri Bootheel

[@johnellington1932]

Won District Track High Jump Jr. Yr. Highlight

[@kd5inm]

Good job!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!

[@bigjimslade6250]

Enjoyed the video. I’m curious where you accessed the older section of Route 66 from the main road as we’d like to stop by that General Store & didn’t see it on our trips from Joplin to Baxter Springs.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Are you talking about the general store in Riverton? It's right on the main road through town on the right before you get to the main intersection.

[@bigjimslade6250]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Yes. I guess I must have just missed it. I remember the stop light near there & the traffic circle but didn’t see the store. I guess I was mistaken about it being east of Galena. There was a detour for US 160 near Galena that kind of would get me turned around & confused

[@nadinamedlin3432]

nice museum on the galena 66 bypass. with some train caboose

[@campingman2156]

Great in depth video as always! So bummed to see the muffler man gone. 😢. Speaking of MM… I’m assuming you’ve been following the Gemini giant story from the launching pad? It’s bitter sweet but so glad back in 2019 was able to see it in its prime while traveling rt66

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I had been following it somewhat but not really closely. What ended up happening?

[@campingman2156]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy well good news GG is staying in Wilmington. He’s just being moved to the park entrance. Bad news. Everything from the launching pad was auctioned off

[@dc-py9dz]

Oh, and there were two bars on main Street. Bucks and Nina's Green Parrot.

[@bertholini2810]

Goodness, put your name on that silly sign (but there were a lot of others as well). Really nice area, very nice video. I do believe that summer is (almost) here, upper 70's and low 80's, and yes, I have no complaints about that. Just wondering... How long will your name last on that sign. It would be worth a yearly trip to find out. Be good, be safe !!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It's probably worth stopping through to check if I can remember haha!

[@nadinamedlin3432]

there is also a DX station coming south from the marsh arch bridge

[@RYAN799]

Wanna see some more old and unique buildings check out Broadway in Pittsburg,Ks and Main St. In Joplin,Mo.

[@andrewwebb17]

Great back on the route I was there 2 weeks ago when did you film it ?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! I actually filmed this back on Feb 18.

[@nadinamedlin3432]

check out the park and old interurban railway in baxter springs east end of 6th st

[@djpoolservice]

Mr Wise Do you have any videos on Park City Kansas?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I have not.

[@nadinamedlin3432]

you must eat at the riverton store

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I did!

[@azmikhamis6483]

Land area ? the state ? Is cutting trees allowed? the price ? The possibility of payment in installments. How much is the down payment? How much is the monthly installment? Water ? Electricity?

[@stuartthompson2362]

Don't do it, you will take your life in your own hands. Professional driver talking, Route 66 is the reason they made interstates. Lots of ghosts walking down 66.

[@williammatzek4660]

Another part history for Baxter Springs area is the Texas cattle had ticks on them. Those ticks would kill Kansas cattle.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Oh wow I didn’t know that!

[@williammatzek4660]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Get your kicks on route 66! I have not seen this man for yrs. He told me this! His dad worked in the mine at Pitcher Oklahoma. No mother just a father. Tar paper shacks for the workers and their families. A company owned store.

[@sandiewilliams238]

Dear diary: I was hoping my fave coach would get some Burma-Shave for himself but I don't know if he did or not. I'll keep my fingers crossed...🪒

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Hahahaha - I think they went out of business so unfortunately I'm still a little grizzly :)

[@danconverse9678]

I like Route 66. Thanks for covering the Kansas part of it. I enjoyed your show!👍