USA Today- Demise of Mom and Pops Motels on Route 66

Came across an article in the USA Today about the sad situation of motels along Route 66. Many of these places have not been able to adapt to the loss of traffic because of the interstates and the franchise motels that people prefer today.

The Route 66 Federation estimates that there are at least 3000 motels along the road in varying states of repair and disrepair. The articles said, "Holiday Inns, chain gas stations, and drive-thrus have replaced neon and quirky." People prefer the homogenized instead of the unique these days.

It is very sad to drive along and see these crumbling, litter-strewn, graffitied, abandoned car, flophouse places. Things change and you have to be able to adapt to them. These mom-pops didn't, and are and have paid the price.

The article mentioned the 16 room Cotton Boll Motel in Canute, Ok. with its oft-photographed sign, where current owner Pat Webb uses it at a personal home, but leaves the sign up for tourists. In Miami, Ok., the Riviera Courts Motel is crumbling. The Chelsea Motel, in Chelsea, Ok., was built in 1935. New owner John Hall uses it for a home and storage for his wife who is a bit of a packrat and uses the rooms for storage.

Not all is sad though. Also in the same town, Frank and Trudy Jugler have opened the six Chelsea Motor Inn as a tribute to Route 66 motels. They intend to build teepees and are renovating an 1890s farmhouse next door into a B&B.

There are other Route 66 motels that have made the transition and are definite places to stay on your trip. The Munger-Moss in Lebanon, Mo., and the Rail Haven and Rest Haven motels in Springfield, Mo., come to mind. The Wigwams in Arizona and California are also excellent choices.

At a recent Route 66 Association of Illinois meeting in Pontiac, a person from the Illinois Historical Preservation Association said that the motels on the state were the most endangered as well.

Next time you're on a trip, check out a mom and pop motel. A mom and pop motel is one that is not part of a national change and usually have a more unique architecture.

You can usually tell whether it is a good place to stay by how the outside loons.

Love Those Mom and Pop Motels.  --RoadDog