Route 66

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Route 66

THE MOTHER ROAD


In all of the world, there are few highways with the mystique, the magic, and the fame of Route 66. People come from Germany, England, Australia, Japan, and many other countries to travel what is known as the Main Street of America.

Lebanon was an important stop on Route 66, and it provided the road services that tourists sought. In fact, one of the very first motels along the highway was Camp Joy, which opened in 1927 as a tent camp at a rate of $0.50 a night. Later, cottages and a combination gas station / grocery store were added.

HOW IT ALL STARTED


The dirt road had change very little from its beginnings when it carried the Union troops during the Civil War to the battle at Wilson’s Creek. The only major change to Lebanon and its dirt highway had been after the Civil War when the Railroad caused the village to move about one mile to the southwest from its original location.

Shortly after the turn of the century the old road eventually received an upgrading of gravel that made it more passable during rainy weather and was even later given the number 14 by the State of Missouri.

This served the adventurous travelers until 1922 when State Highway Commission purposed a new permanent highway running to and across the Ozarks.

The original proposal for the route was to wind its way from St. Louis to Rolla and then take a southerly path through Houston and Cabool, and then on to Springfield by the direction that Highway 60 would later follow. The highway engineers of the time thought the route to Waynesville, Lebanon and Marshfield was too hilly, and too many rivers would need to be bridged. This decision would have been devastating for the towns along the more direct route and Lebanon was not going to let this happen without a fight.

The community leaders of several towns, including Lebanon, led trips to Jefferson City to lobby the Highway Commission for a decision that favored the “Direct Route.” Lebanon took their high school band to make a little more noise before the Commission and the story is told that a few of the Lebanon leaders even met the skeptical engineers at the Gasconade River to show them a spacer.jpgpath that would cross the hills and rivers of Laclede county with the involvement of only a little more work and money.

This foresight and effort paid off in the end and the route via Pulaski, Laclede and Webster Counties was chosen. Construction started in stages with the distance from the Laclede County line at Hazelgreen to Mill Creek Road in Lebanon being the first to be paved with concrete. Everyone along the new highway thought its number name would be 60 and some of the early maps even show this number. This prestigious number with a zero was selected for the route that would go from the east coast to the west coast south of Lebanon. A meeting was hosted at the Woodruff Building in Springfield and as a result 66 was chosen for the new road that was going from Chicago to Los Angles.

Route 66 served Lebanon and Laclede County from 1926 until December 4, 1957, causing the creation of the places and stories we enjoy today.

Original to Route 66

Munger Moss Motel

This vintage auto court harkens back to the heyday of Route 66. It's been serving the highway traveler since 1946. There are special Route 66 theme rooms available, with a variety of amenities. Stop in and stay a while.

Call 1-417-532-3111
1336 Rte 66, Lebanon, MO 65536

Click Here To Learn More

The Manor House Inn

The Manor House Inn, formerly known as The Lenz HoMoTel and The Lenz Manor, was built in 1903. William Lenz and his wife, Ethel, bought the Manor from his parents in 1929. In 1932, they opened their home as a motel, hence the name Lenz HoMoTel. It operated as a Route 66 motel until 1975.

It has been privately owned as office spaces and a personal residence since that time.

In 2018, Randy & Bronwen Palilla and Jason & Michelle Cochran bought The Lenz Manor, brought it back to its former glory with a few new updates and now operate as The Manor House Inn.

Call 1-417-718-6200
505 East Elm Street, Lebanon, MO 65536

Click Here To Learn More

Dedicated to Route 66

Route 66 Museum and Research Center

Take a self-guided tour of this museum, which features re-creations of a 1950s gas station, a classic diner, an antique car, and a collection of Route 66 books, magazines and videos. The museum is located at the Lebanon-Laclede County Library. Open weekly Monday-Saturday with free admission!

Call 1-417-532-2148

915 S Jefferson Ave, Lebanon, MO 65536

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Route 66 Themed Boswell Park

Themed after the route in which it's located on, Boswell Park is home to 3 larger than life murals depicting facts and historical details about Laclede County's section of the Mother Road. The murals that were funded by the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society are just one of the many amenities to the park. You can find out more about Boswell Park and Boswell Aquatic Center at the link below.

1-417-991-2222
51 Drury Ln, Lebanon, MO 65536


CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

More Places To Visit On Route 66 In Lebanon

Elm Street Eatery

Classic cuisine from breakfast to dinner with some of the biggest cinnamon rolls you'll ever see!

Call 1-417-588-2700
135 W Elm St, Lebanon, MO 65536

Cowan Civic Center

The Kenneth E. Cowan Civic Center, located at 500 E. Elm Street, is a multipurpose facility which accommodates:
  • Conventions
  • Trade shows
  • Expositions
  • Sporting events
  • Weddings
  • Theatrical productions
  • Business meetings
Reservations or Booking Information
You can get information about rental space at the Cowan Civic Center by calling (417) 532-4642 Information Request Form.

500 E Elm St, Lebanon, MO 65536

Click Here To Learn More

Shepherd Hills Factory Outlet

Factory outlet center featuring Case Knives, Walnut Bowls, brand-name pottery, cutlery, home decor & glassware retailers.


Call 1-417-532-7000
1900 W Elm St, Lebanon, MO 65536

Click Here To Learn More

Route 66 Antique Mall

Primitives, petroleum collectables, home decor and so much more! Add this stop to your antique trail or Route 66 Road Trip!

(417) 532-7082
17711 Campground Rd, Phillipsburg, MO 65722

Jonesy's Travel Center

Family Style dining.

1440 W Elm St, Lebanon, MO 65536

Lebanon I-44 Speedway

Lebanon I-44 Speedway is a 3/8 mile high banked asphalt oval nestled in the Ozark hills, located just off Interstate 44 outside Lebanon Missouri. We offer affordable family fun for all ages on most Saturday nights May thru October. Racing action starts at 7:30, with Pro Late Models, Modified, Big 10 Late Model Series, Street Stock, Chargers and Baby Grands. You have the option of general admission with grandstand seating offering bleachers with backs and an area for blankets and lawn chairs, or if you wish to be closer to the racing action you can park your vehicle in Tier Parking (also known as the Wild Side). Here you can park your vehicle around the outside of the track with different levels of viewing, bring the BBQ grills and enjoy family and friend time while having one of the best views of the racing action. Want to sit indoor with AC/Heat? We also offer VIP suiting for up to 16 people in a private booth.

Built by Bill Willard in 1982 and has operated as both a dirt and asphalt track. It has been an independent track along with being sanctioned by NASCAR and ASA over the years.


Call 1-417-532-2060
24069 Route 66 Lebanon, MO

Click Here To Learn More

Bowlmor Lanes RT 66

Bowling, glow bowling, batting cages, arcade, food, drinks and a smoke free location for family fun! Whether it's Date Night, League Night or a Corporate Team Building Event, Bowlmor lanes RT 66 has something fun for everyone!

1-417-532-4262
1331 Route 66 Lebanon, MO

Click Here To Learn More


Taylor's Dairy Joy

Classic eats and treats on classic Route 66!

1-417-532-3450

1205 East Route 66 Lebanon, MO

Dowd's Catfish & BBQ

At Dowd’s, they serve delicious southern fried catfish, mouth watering barbecue dishes, delicious burgers, steaks, seafood, salads, and chicken. They offer a wide variety of tasty sides to accompany your main course. Step into their Southern Bayou themed dining room and you’ll think you’re on the Mississippi Delta. Their hospitality is second to none with several smiling faces to accommodate all of our guests.


(417) 532-1777
1760 W Elm St, Lebanon, MO 65536

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

JR's Western Store

Selection of boots and western apparel.

Call 1-417-532-1799
1120 Millcreek Rd, Lebanon, MO 65536
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