Our Route 66 Adventures: Joplin History & Mineral Museum and National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum

Date of Visit: April 29, 2026

The Joplin History & Mineral Museum has been a Route 66 attraction since it opened in 1931. The main exhibits are about the tri-state mining industry and other local Joplin local history. There is also a Route 66 exhibit. Most unique is the National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum is housed inside the museum.

We started with the mineral part of the museum. It was interesting to see the different minerals and learn about the mining industry in the area. The fluorescent minerals display was a highlight of this area.

The Route 66 exhibit was of particular interest to us as we visited as part of driving Route 66. The exhibit featured displays for each of the states Route 66 goes through.

One of the interesting items in the local history section was this portable kitchen from the mid-1800s.

The local history also included local Civil War history, especially related to the Battle of Carthage.

The National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum Collection featured cookie cutters representing each of the 50 states as part of a celebrating the United States 250th.

There was also a Route 66 themed cookie cutter display.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

Joplin History & Mineral Museum

504 S. Schifferdecker Ave

Joplin, MO 64801

Our Route 66 Adventures: Route 66 Welcome Center Webb City

Date of Visit: April 29, 2026

We stopped at the Route 66 Welcome Center in Webb City to get the stamp for the Mother Road Passport. The visitor center is located in an old gas station.

There is a Welcome to Webb City mural on the building behind the parking lot. We got a free magnet featuring this mural along with our stamp for the Mother Road Passport.

There is also a classic truck parked by their sign.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

Route 66 Welcome Center

112 W Broadway St

Webb City, MO

Our Route 66 Adventures: Red Oak II

Date of Visit: April 29, 2026

Red Oak II is a little bit off of Route 66. The "town" is a collection of various old buildings brought here from other places including the original Red Oak and some newer buildings made to fit in with the old to make the town more complete, such as the train station. We probably spent about an hour wandering around the town. Many of buildings in the town are private residences or otherwise not open to go inside, but a few of the buildings you can go inside. 

Diner

Town Hall

Feed and Seed Store

Gas Station

Peacock

Metal Sculpture Park

General Store - from original Red Oak

Phillips 66

Salem Country Church

Garfield Wiley Cabin

Hornback Cabin - Jasper County's first courthouse

Horseshoes and Insulators Sculpture

Fort Hooker

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

Red Oak II

10917 County Loop 122

Carthage, MO 64836

Our Route 66 Adventures: Spencer Station

 

Date of Visit: April 29, 2026

Spencer Station was an unplanned stop on our day trip of Route 66 between Springfield and Joplin, Missouri. It was not open, but we still enjoyed stopping and taking a some photos.

Spencer Station's history goes back to the 1860's as the town of Spencer. The town was abandoned in the early 1900s and in 1925, the ghost town was purchased to become a store to serve travelers on the new Route 66. It eventually included a store, service station, cafe, and barber shop. It closed in 1961 when it was bypassed. More recently it has been restored and continues to be restored with plans to be a museum and gift shop.

Restored Phillips 66 gas pumps

Also, of interest is a 1923 bridge on Route 66 just to the east of Spencer Station.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

Spencer Station

19720 Lawrence 2062

Miller, MO 65707

Our Route 66 Adventures: Gary's Gay Parita

Date of Visit: April 29, 2026

Gary's Gay Parita is a recreation of the Gay Parita Filing Station that was originally opened as a Sinclair service station in 1930. It no longer has fuel, but there is plenty of things to look at as you wander around including license plates from all 50 states, some Canadian provinces, and a few other countries. We probably spent almost an hour looking around and also chatted with the owners.

There were several old cars on display around the grounds and in the garage.

In the garage, there was also a bunch of random old things including a bottle collection.

Several dinosaurs were around related to connect to its history as a Sinclair station.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

Gary's Gay Parita Filing Station

21118 Old 66

Ash Grove, MO 65604

Our Koffee Trail: Rustic Roast - Spring 2026 Seasonal Drinks

Date: May 16, 2026

Location: Rustic Roast (Conway, SC)

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

For this weekend's coffee outing, we decided to go Rustic Roast to try out some of their Spring Seasonal drinks (and just some coffee for Dad).

I had a Banana Bread Latte.

Mik had an Iced Strawberry Cheesecake Latte.

Mom had a Debry Pie Coldbrew (chocolate, nutty, brown sugar).

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Check out some of our other Myrtle Beach area posts:

• Be Known Coffee & Roaster ❤️
• Benjamin's Bakery & Cafe ❤️
• Grand Strand Coffee ❤️
• Liberty Brews Coffee ❤️
• Rustic Roast ❤️

Our Route 66 Adventures: Best Western Rail Haven - Staying Where Elvis Stayed

Date of Visit: April 28-29, 2026

When we arrived at the Best Western Rail Haven, a significant hail storm had just come through and the power was out in half of Springfield including at the hotel. Thus, we had to check in by filling out a paper form rather than the usual electronic check in. Dad joked that it was just how Elvis checked in when he stayed here in 1956.

Before heading to our room, we checked out the old car outside the office.

At the Best Western Rail Haven, we stayed in the Elvis room, which is the room Elvis stayed in here in 1956. It is not how it originally was, but has been decorated with an Elvis theme.

While there was a break in the rain and we were waiting for power to be restored, we walked around the motel and found they had some of their old signs on display between the buildings.

It was interesting to find the power was back because the taillights in bed all of the sudden lit up.

We did not use it, but there was a jacuzzi tub in the Elvis room.

After the power came back on, we went and checked out the sign by the road again to see it lit up.

Overall we enjoyed our stay at the Best Western Rail Haven and, in particular, it was fun to stay in the Elvis room. Not sure it is worth it's normal cost as the shower, tub, and bathroom in general were rather worn, but it was a fun use of my points to stay there for one night for free.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

Best Western Rail Haven

203 S Glenstone Ave

Springfield, MO 65802

Check out our other Springfield, MO area Route 66 posts:

• Brick & Mortar Coffee 👍
• The Coffee Ethic ❤️
• Trailer Perk Coffee ❤️