Route 66 Missouri - (almost) every town along the way - 51 of them!

This video picks up with crossing the Mississippi River into Missouri. The first part was the end of Day 3 so there isn't too much exciting there except for the unique hotel in Cuba! The next two days were full of cool and interesting places that ended in Joplin and crossing into Kansas. I really enjoyed the drive through Missouri (except for all the rain)!
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Travel blog: johnwisewsu.blogspot.com/
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Twitter: / john_wise_wsu
Contact: [e-mail]
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MUSIC from KZbin free music library
Beat Your Competition - Vibe Tracks
Cumbia No Frills Faster - Kevin MacLeod
Catch Up - Dan Lebowitz
Avocado Street - Wes Hutchinson
Payday - Jason Farnham
Tennessee Hayride - Audionautix

[@jipsiemune]

I can not wait for the day to go back to my hometown in Missouri 💛 and to explore Missouri inside and out 🙏

[@ThomaskellySr.]

I moved to Missouri 44 years ago and I love it here.

[@jackrichey4931]

I saw all the Route 66 videos in one day and enjoyed them all they were not only informative but entertaining. My personal favorite was the one on Missouri because this highway was where I spent much of my childhood, and it was great to see how it looks today.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! Glad you enjoyed them - thanks so much! It was an awesome adventure!

[@papabear562]

Now that was an interesting drive through Missouri. Love the small towns, lots of history.

[@milojanis4901]

Nice video, as usual. Great work. Never knew about the artist creating a 1930s town....

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! I made a different video about Red Oak II as well. Awesome place!

[@johnbrownlee7623]

I watch a lot of 66 vids....Drone shots are like the icing on the cake.....Great job..............JB.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching another RT66 video 😊

[@bettyallen6372]

I forget what year it was now, but when I was young & we traveled 66, there was an explosion @, I believe, Acme, in Carthage or Joplin that caused the highway to be closed for a short time. How I miss the old road & all the cool shops, motels and gas stations, especially Chief Yellow Horse!

[@richardboll8763]

My Dad would have loved this. Born and lived his life in St. Louis. Love to travel the old highways of Missouri! Thanks for posting! Go Schocks!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Such a fun trip!! Much appreciated 😊

[@TiredMomma]

4:31 That restored gas station turned restaurant, has yummy food! We visted them last year after a school track meet.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Love those home cookin type places!

[@johnhall6937]

Clark Gable stayed at Boots Motel when he visited Carthage in 1947-48. He had a friend in Carthage who he had met during WWII.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes! I heard that story when I stayed there too. So cool!

[@marleenwaggoner2597]

I was born in Carthage. My parents were married in 1953 and had their honeymoon in Boots hotel. The church they were married in was Salem church, and it was moved to Red Oak when Lowell Davis put the village together in the late 80's and early 90's. At least I'm pretty sure that was when he did it. There is still a cemetery left at Salem where the church once was. My mom is almost 87, but my dad has passed away. They were the last couple to be married in the church when it was still at Salem. I have been to Red Oak about 7 times, and they still have Sunday morning chirch services in the church

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Great place to visit and explore! Such an interesting and unique creation by Mr Davis!

[@travelswithbenny3328]

I live just outside Carthage and used to go quite often to the church at Red Oak to play guitar with local residents. Everyone was invited and all kinds of instruments from banjo to zithers to stand up base would show up. I always thought it was kind of funny about how route 66 was revered, we used to drive on it everyday, past Kellogg lake. There used to be a house on the east side of the lake where the road T's that a Aunt and Uncle of mine lived in and sold minnows for fishing that we would go to after church for Sunday Dinner. My Mother (Shes a 102 now) used to tell my grandfather to go slow around the big bend of the road to the south by Spring River because she was afraid of him driving into the river.

[@marleenwaggoner2597]

@@travelswithbenny3328 I went to the church services about five years ago with my mom, it was Mother's Day. My dad and her had been there for the music before, and I know he played at Red Oak several times. My dad's whole life was about playing music, in fact all his family played country, bluegrass and old time music. His name was Bart Waggoner. I had a great aunt named Eleanor Bradshaw who worked at the hotel there at Kellogg lake. She passed away a couple years ago, and was in her 90's. They actually lived on the old route 66, which if my memory is right, seems like we turned off at Kendricktown coming in on old 71 hwy, and I remember they lived on the right side of the road at the top of a big hill. I am not sure if her son sold it, but it might have been 40 acres or so but was a nice little farm. I wonder if your mom knew Eleanor. My grandmother was Dosha (Bradshaw) Mead, her brother married Eleanor. My grandmother passed in 1998, I think. She was born in 1911. Also have a cousin named Betty Jane Stafford who used to have an antique store on the square and was the county bondsman. A lot of people know her. That's great that your mom is 102!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

@@travelswithbenny3328 Wow great story! I bet those were some great evenings playing music

[@travelswithbenny3328]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy lol yes it was, I was probably the least talented there and lot of times just sat and listened. I ended up traveling quite a bit and stopped going, don't know what happened after that. This 15 years ago or so.

[@route66originals44]

Great video that brought back a lot of memories and another reason to get our on the road and travel the back roads of Route 66. Thanks for posting!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! The backgrounds are where all the hidden gems are for sure!

[@jwwalker688]

I must see Cuba one day.

[@johnnysockhead]

I grew up near Laquey and Buckhorn.

[@elliswoodall407]

Cool and peaceful 😊video

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!

[@billchambersmarquez1964]

Nice video got to see my late dads home city Lebanon! Hope to move there!!! California has just gotten too expensive to live here!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! I hope you’re able to make it! Definitely much more cost efficient there!

[@jipsiemune]

Thanks for this WONDERFUL video I am putting it in its own file and will use it as a reference... when I am able to make my way back home some day 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! Hope you get home soon!

[@amorylovin2137]

Loved the old hotel advertising radio in every room!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It was a great touch!

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

A Radio in every room!!! Love that!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice touch! 😊

[@KH-gj1rt]

Grand Falls in Joplin is one of my favorite places to go, I spent a lot of time down there as a teenager hanging out with friends.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That's a very beautiful place to hang out for sure!

[@stevemccoy8138]

I've actually stayed in the Boots Motel back in 1969. Carthage and the area has a special place in my heart. The 66 Drive In was great, I've seen lots of movie's there. Thanks for the tour. 🏰

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It’s an awesome city that has kept its roots alive with Route 66. Lots to do and explore!

[@247Homesllc]

We live in waynesville mo by route 66

[@marciabrumfield1400]

I grew up in Springfield and went to the Catholic schools there. Our basketball team played the teams from the smaller towns like Marshfield and Strafford and Clever. My parents were from Joplin, buried in Webb City. The Precious Moments headquarters is in Carthage. I have relatives in (some are outlaws, ha ha) in Conway, Miller, Mount Vernon. Did you manage to visit Grafton, Il, when you drove through Illinois??? I went to a conference there in May, 2022. I am pretty much binge watching your videos are really enjoying them. Good Travels.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate you watching and commenting! I have not been to Grafton, looks like a neat little town! I have a bunch of great memories playing basketball in small towns in Ohio too. Thanks again!

[@geneballay9590]

Wow, another grrrreat video. Thank you for all the work and then sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Route 66 was a lot of fun! Lots to see in Missouri along the way!

[@travis303]

Beacon Motel is such a tease! It looks all lit up like it's welcoming in weary travelers and it's closed!

[@jwwalker688]

Living up to it's name.

[@travis303]

I love those neon signs of those historic motels

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yeah it’s one of the main attractions all along the route. Fun to find them lit up at night!

[@71chadknight]

Oh man!!! I have some relatives from a handful of places that you traveled to on this video. Even though it has been years since I've made it to that neck of the woods in Missouri, I still do remember some of the towns as a child going down there for vacations. My grandparents had built a house in Ellis Prairie, MO back when I was was really young. (I'm 50 now!!) There was never a whole lot there. If I remember correctly the little one pump gas station also served as the post office!! Lol!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Route 66 through Missouri was a lot of fun! Lots of places that time has long since forgotten but are still fun to explore!

[@MozarkAdventures]

You should check out Ste. Genevieve sometime, allegedly the oldest European settlement this side of the MS river.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Sounds good!

[@adamsgarage5119]

Awesome! I live about 20 minutes south of Marshfield in a small town known as Fordland, MO. Was a little shocked that you didnt stop in Northview, MO it is a Ghost Town inbetween Marshfield and Strafford. Still some people that live there but most businesses are abandoned. A cool little old railroad town. Right off I-44 on B Highway.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I was going along what some other RT66 books gave, so Northview must not have been in there. Sounds like a good ghost town video someday!

[@afan.pasalic]

@10.07, Boots Court - you were sleeping in the same room I slept on my Route 66 trip in September 2020. 😄

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! That was a very cool place!!

[@lisasmith9311]

My father Bill Swan made a lot of iconic fiberglass statues which are placed along Route 66 some of which can be seen in a short Amazon book called "The man behind the mufflerman " for only 14.99.

[@marionpeebles3836]

I love the Christmas decorations

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It always enhances how these small towns feel - especially at night!

[@stixstat]

Awesome! "A Radio in Every Room!" Also, I wonder what the World's largest Belt looks like! : )

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I would like to see that! And the pair of pants it would go on.

[@travis303]

haha, I love that steak n shake slogan. "It's a meal." It's like they're saying "It's food, we promise it's actual food" haha

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂

[@bradgroves7440]

Love your videos but really love your Schitts Creek Tshirt a bit more ;)

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha thanks! Guess I need to wear it Pre often 😂😂

[@TheBatugan77]

Dam strait! GREAT t-shirt.

[@beatlessteph]

It’s really sad now that pearl brothers in Joplin has closed down.

[@DavidsExecutiveTouch17]

Great video Brother. Wish we'd have known you were in Joplin we would have had a cup of coffee waiting. Born 2 blocks from Rt. 66 in Baxter Springs, grew up south of Galena 2 miles from Rt.66, went to Riverton Schools right by Rt. 66 leaving burnouts as a teen on Rainbow Bridge between Riverton & Baxter. Currently live 8 blocks south of it in Joplin. You got CLOSE Brother!! We spent 11 years in Wichita too up until 07, so that's familiar territory as well....kinda....if they'd ever stop their orange barrel relay on Kellogg, which occasionally gives one a headache. Maybe one of these days we'll run into each other & be able to visit about roadtripping to/from & around Wichita (that's a big town btw), & the good old days back here on Rt. 66..... Again, Awesome video , thoroughly enjoyed it! 🤓👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! Route 66 was such a great trip and I definitely enjoyed the parts in and around Joplin. Love how they keep the history alive there! Baxter Springs is one of the better places too! Next time you’re in Wichita let’s get that coffee! Appreciate the support!

[@CarnivoreNana]

I live in Iowa now but Cuba was my "hometown" and where my mother and brother still live. You filmed(or posted) this video on my birthday! They have a great many murals there. You missed the great BBQ next door to the Wagon Wheel Motel. My uncle was married in the Rosati winery hall which you featured. The Derby gas station looks cleaned up since I took a pic several yrs ago in St. James. Traveling west on route 66 past the 4 way and Derby, in autumn the trees are beautiful to see the turning leaves. In Rolla the road ur are traveling is PINE ST. It used to be a 2way st but now is 2 lanes in one direction. The tan building on the right connected to the Christmas wreath is one of the oldest banks in Missouri and the clock still keeps correct time. See the big clock on the corner. Keep going past the Christmas wreaths and to the left is University of Rolla (M&T) and the "Stonehenge" is located on the north end of the U property. But u missed the pizza place just past the bank. Best cheese balls around. Delish!! Totem Pole is a great place to shop for old fashioned items and 66 souvenirs! Don't miss it! I lived and worked in Rolla for several years. St. Robert and Waynesville also share the area with army base Ft. Leonard Wood. Two of my grandchildren live in Strafford. And I lived in Springfield for 12yrs. Rest Haven I don't recommend..umm go south just another block or 2 over the bridge and Best Western on the RIGHT is a good place...known for Where Elvis slept!

[@travis303]

Oh I noticed the De Soto Plymouth sign. I see advertisements for them on old game shows like You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx

[@johnhall6937]

Doc Downey was the last owner of that DeSoto dealership.

[@mistiinseattle]

I wish there were links to first parts but I am in Missouri at "the birth place of Route 66" so will enjoy this part. Thanks

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Here’s the whole series: kzbin.info/aero/PL4jqwLUrhjNTXpFpBPgqP3AdP8EXg4UX_

[@pamalagilbert3198]

love the shirt

[@marionpeebles3836]

It’s a question it but I thought the Rail Haven had been open since 1938? It’s a super popular place to stay in Springfield anytime they have car shows. I personally have stayed in the Elvis room. It was more fun back in my early drinking days when the Sycamore Inn restaurant was still open there. It was the place to go when the bars closed. This is fun because I would always drive my mom can you tell me when I’m vacation we never took a highway we always took the back roads I think it’s partly because my mother couldn’t really read a map and it was before GPS. He was from southeastern Kansas it’s a weed hit is for state region right here really well. All the little interesting places to stop and make your trip just another 30 minutes longer before you had to go home. This brought back great pleasant memories

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Not sure about Rail Haven, but there are so many interesting and unique places to stay and check out along the route! I agree it is a fun way to "get lost" when not on the main highways! Thank you for watching!

[@marionpeebles3836]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Yeah it’s cool because you covered up all the areas that I’ve grown up and my father works in Frisco railroad so he stayed in a little town during derailment some stuff and never ate in the chain restaurant we were all about seeing how the American dream work and I’ve grown up the same way and chain restaurants because he knows he’ll get a good meal and I just look at them and laugh and say no you’ve never had a good meal you’ve only ever had an adequate meal.

[@bxcar1396]

Awesome channel ...thanks for the mini road trip.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Appreciate you watching!

[@markwilliams5606]

Do the Beginning of RT 66 Where it started Springfield Missouri!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I have a video where I explore all the little towns between Springfield and Carthage. One of my favorite stretches of the route!

[@michellefreiermuth6327]

You were in my area of Fenton, MO. 😀

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend much time there!

[@michellefreiermuth6327]

Maybe someday you’ll work your way back to my neck of the woods. St Louis is a great place. 💖

[@muffs55mercury61]

Most of Missouri 66 is still driveable after you leave St Louis (from about MM 261) It so sad that historic places are STILL closing such as the Gardenway. When I last passed it in 2013 it was open for business and all the lights were still burning. I guess no one appreciates these old historic places and gives their money to chain establishments instead. Tragically sad.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very true and you’re correct it’s very sad. Definitely why people need to get out and see it before many other places are completely gone. I’m glad I did it when I did. Hopefully it will stay relevant with local efforts as long as possible.

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I'm originally from Phoenix AZ and even in 1990 many landmarks were gone so you can imagine it now. After mom died in 2014 I have no desire to go there anymore (other parts of the state, yes)

[@OzarkRiver-Banks]

Along Route 66 thru Mo you see all these buildings made out of the same Rock 🪨. Limestone? Where did it come from?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’m not sure, not being from Missouri. But I imagine it may come from local hilly/mountain type areas which are more frequent than people think.

[@marleenwaggoner2597]

I'm wondering if it wasn't from Carthage. There's a huge quarry north of Carthage near Kendricktown. A couple of my cousins used to work in the huge underground facility there. There were offices in there also

[@marleenwaggoner2597]

Now that I think about it, I think Carthage has a Marble Quarry.

[@marleenwaggoner2597]

I googled Carthage quarry and it does say Limestone. Also mentions marble. You should google it and read it, it's interesting.

[@jipsiemune]

I'm homesick 😢

[@twistoffate4791]

I'm surprised you didn't hit Meremac Caverns in Sullivan, Missouri.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

The timing didn’t work out, unfortunately. It was dark when I was in the area. Would love to go back and explore!

[@twistoffate4791]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Understood. Happy travels to you.

[@marleenwaggoner2597]

I have seen several of your videos and was wondering if you have done anything on cemeteries, or on Wagoner, Mo. Its in the corner of Cedar, Vernon and Barton Counties. My great grandmother and grat aunt were shot and killed there in about 1914. The Stockton newspaper wrote an article around 1975 about it, and called it a Ghost town. The town name only had one g, like Wagoner Oklahoma, but our name has two g's. I haven't seen it mentioned in your ghost town videos. Last I heard, there was a family living there with the name Wagner, but also a different spelling and no relation to my family, but every September they were having a picnic and celebrating the town. I don't know what the population is, maybe 5, and I don't know if it was ever incorporated. Also was wondering if you knew much about Henry Big Foot Wagoner, of whom Wagoner, Oklahoma was named for. There's a lot of history relating to the Waggoners and Wagoner families,, and towns in several states, and even the Waggoner Ranch in Texas. It would make an interesting video!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I don’t believe I’ve ever been to Wagoner. I definitely haven’t made a video about it. Sounds like an interesting place with a lot of history! Thank you for watching my videos and for sharing that story!

[@hi58305]

i'm from wildwood!!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice!

[@KevinCoop1]

Where can you find a map of Route 66 through Missouri that is current?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

When I did this trip I used the Route 66 app. It was pretty accurate. Also there is a great book called EZ 66 Guide that is a turn by turn of the entire route.

[@travis303]

It is so bizarre to me that the arch is a national park now.

[@jwwalker688]

The hell you say.

[@travis303]

@@jwwalker688 Yeah, a bent scrap of metal is now a national park. It's stupid.

[@jwwalker688]

@@travis303 you're telling me veterans no longer have to pay admittance. Since when? I haven't heard this before. St Louis isn't my favorite place.

[@33Donner77]

Thanks for the video. Good quote from Ibn Battuta. The population of the "City" of St. Louis itself is under 300,000 and shrinking. The surrounding region has the increasing population. I want to visit Red Oak II.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Red Oak II is definitely a special place. Hope you get there someday!

[@grenzhochspannungshindernis]

You need to find a girlfriend and always take her with you, she will hold your camera for you and ... not just a camera ... Sounds like a deal, i think.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂😂

[@goawayandlearnsomedamnmann1391]

Pick me pick me! I’m alone!😂

[@grenzhochspannungshindernis]

There you go buddy! Santa dropped you a sweet and lovely present through your chimney for being a good lad! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you! :))

[@michellegrimm5487]

Not much in Missouri.

[@jwwalker688]

Not like Iowa, right?

[@hikergirly]

This was kind of a speedy drive-by on Route 66. So many great BBQ restaurants and scenic rivers along the way. It ‘s a gorgeous drive in spring, summer & fall. This looks like early March or late November to me. No leaves on the trees :(