Along66, Feb. 2023: The Boots' All the Way Open and Illinois' Red Carpet Corridor Expands

FEBRUARY 20

All 13 rooms at the Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri, are now available for overnight stays.  And remember, none other than the famous Clark Gable stayed there in Room 6.

The place came close to being demolished in the early 2000s.

It was built in 1939 by Arthur Boots.  I know a place I'll stay the next time through.

FEBRUARY 27

Illinois' Red Carpet Corridor Festival adds a second day of fun and Bloomington-Normal have now joined.  It will be May 6-7.

It starts in Joliet, goes through 14 communities and covers 100 miles to Bloomington-Normal.

Each community has activities going on during it.  The towns:  Joliet, Elwood, Wilmington, Braidwood, Godley, Braceville, Gardner, Dwight, Odell, Pontiac, Chenoa, Lexington, Normal and Bloomington.  

I haven't been for awhile, but maybe this year if the weather cooperates.

Maybe Room 6 or Was It 66?  --RoadDog

Along66, Oct. 2022: It's Back in Carthage

OCTOBER 13

The Pancake Hut in Carthage, Missouri, was marking the homecoming of its restored Chicago Band Box from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m..

The restaurant is next to the Boots Court motel.

The Band Box was shipped to California for restoration earlier this summer.  I wrote a lot about it then.  Click on the Chicago Coins Band-Box label below to see the posts.

The Chicago Band Box has been at the Pancake Hut since 1979.

OCTOBER 17

And speaking of the historic Boots Court motel, the neon lights are glowing again on Carthage.

All That Carthage.  --RoadDog

Along66, July 2022: Painted Desert Trading Post and the Boots Court

JULY 26

Rescue celebration held at Painted Desert Trading Post site.   About 60 attended.  Located on a remote stretch of Route 66 in  eastern Arizona.  It was in imminent danger of collapse.  The place closed in the late 1950s when bypassed.

The folks are to be congratulated for doing such a good job.

JULY 27

Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri, is now accepting reservations.  As of July 21 they had five rooms open and should have twelve open when finished.  They want it open by the time of Maple Leaf Festival in October.

We stayed there once and want to thank the two ladies for saving the place and the  new owners taking it farther.

--RoaddOg

 

Along66, July 2022: The Chicago Coins Band-Box

JULY 14

The Chicago Coins Band-Box in Carthage, Missouri's Pancake Hut has been shipped to California for restoration.  If you're wondering what I'm talking about, it is a robotic band that would come to "life" with a coin deposit.  Only, it hasn't been operational for many years.

It dates back to the early 1950s and has been at the Hut since 1979.

A donation fund was set up called "The Pancake Fund."

The Pancake Hut is within walking distance of the Boots Court motel.  I ate there back when we stayed at the Boots and admired the Band-Box and would have been happy to drop my coin in to see it in action.

Glad they're getting it fixed.

You can go to You Tube to see what one looks like in operation.

Hope to see it in action next time in town.

--RoadDog

Along66, July 2022: Boots Court Up for NRHP

JULY 10

The Missouri state council is to consider Boote Court's nomination for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

The Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will meet July 15 to  determine its inclusion on the  NRHP.

Boots Court is on Carthage and was built in 1939  at the "Crossroads ofAmerica" the intersection of Route 66 and Route 71.

We were fortunate enough to already get the chance to stay there and a big thanks to the two lasdies responsible for saving it.  And, now the new owners appear to be on trek to improve the place even more.  Nothing like sitting in one of those metal chairs in front of the office to get your in depth Route 66 experience.

Update.  It was recommended.

--RoadDog

Along66, June 2022: The Chelsea Underpass and the Boots Court Motel

JUNE 29

Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea, Oklahoma, has reopened for the public.

Vandalism forced its closure a year ago.  It was refurbishd in 2011 with a Route 66 mural.

Route 66 was so busy that the town built it so locals could safely get to the other side of the four lane highway.

There are also pedestrian tunnels on Route 66 in Reno, Oklahoma, and Sayre, Oklahoma.  Also a filled in tunnel is in Odell, Illinois.

JUNE 30

A TV station has taken a look at the renovations to the Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri.  The station is KSN-TV.

They are hoping to have it open again the town's Maple Leaf Festival in October.

It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Liz and I were able to stay there  when the gals came in and redid the place.

--RoadDog

Along66, February 2022: Bristow, Oklahoma and the Boots Court in Carthage

FEBRUARY 21

Bristow, Oklahoma, wants to restore four Route 66 landmarks including the Chrysler-Plymouth Tower.

**  The 100-foot tall Beard Motor Company sign.  They want to relight it.

**  Bristow Train Depot built in 1923 and used until 1970

**  1929 Frisco water tower

**  The Bristow Town Square

*********************************

FEBRUARY 24

The full restoration of the Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri has begun.  The non-profit Boots Court Foundation along with the CTown LLC are doing this.  Some of it has already been restored.

The Boots was built in 1939 by Arthur Boots.  The two former owners bought a really run-down place in 2011 and have done much renovation to the point we were able to stay there several years back.

--RoadDog

Along66, Nov. 2021: New Owners for the Boots, But, Thanks Priscilla and Debye for Preserving It for Us

NOVEMBER 16

Route 66 enthusiasts give old Boots Court motel owners a sendoff before it closes for the winter.  It is located in Carthage, Missouri.

Before the new owners take over, about 24 people from eight states paid a visit to former owners Debye Harvey and her sister Priscilla Bledsaw who reopened the place in 2012 after a huge amount of repairs, rehabbing and work.

The Boots is the second oldest motel still operating on Route 66.

Local resident of Carthage, Rod Harsh also helped a lot in the rehab.

The new owners will rehab the remaining rooms and reopen in spring.

The Boots came dangerously close to demolition in the early 2000s.

Built in 1939 by Arthur Boots, Clark Gable stayed there on occasion in Room 6.

Those two women couldn't have been any friendlier and helpful.  We are thankful we got to stay with them one time a few years ago.  This was when local folk artist Lowell Davis was erecting his Welcome to Carthage sign next to the motel.

Thanks ladies.

--RoadBoots

Along66, Nov. 2021: The Boots Court Motel Is Sold. Thanks to the Sisters for Saving It

NOVEMBER 10

Boots Court Motel in Carthage changes owners, will open next spring after the rest of the rooms are restored.

Debye Harvey was one of the motel's co-owners along with her sister for the past decade and said the place was sold back in September.  She said she sold it because she is 72 and had run the place for ten years. Route 66ers and Carthage owe her and her sister a big debt of gratitude.  The place had become so derelict that it was almost demolished in the early 2000s.

Liz and I once took a ride back to the rear of the place once and kind of feared for our lives.  It was not a very welcoming situation.

The Boots was built in 1939 by Arthur Boots.  Actor Clark Gable stayed there several times during cross country trips to his native Ohio.  He always rented Room #6.

The plan is to reopen it in March.  

--RoadDog

Along66, Sept. 2021: Lowell Davis Tribute Set for Red Oak II in Carthage

SEPTEMBER 7

A tribute to be held at Red Oak II on Saturday, September 11.  More details will emerge.

It is to pay tribute to the recently deceased folk artist Lowell Davis.  Red Oak II is located near Carthage, Missouri and is his tribute to his youth and a place for his art.  This will also be a tribute to the victims of 9?11.

Lowell Davis died November 7, 2021.  This did not happen them because of the pandemic.

We count ourselves lucky to have had a chance to meet and talk with him back when he put up the Welcome to Carthage sign by the Boots Court where we were staying at the time.  What an experience.

He is one of those reasons why Route 66 is such a great road.

Pipe, anyone?

Talk About Being in the Right Place at the Right Time!   --RoadDog

Along 66, May 2021: Albuquerque's Route 66 Centennial and a Tribute to Lowell Davis

MAY 22

Albuquerque, New Mexico budgets $630,000 for Route 66  centennial celebration in 2026.  Looks like a place to definitely visit as they're going all in.  Great, Albuquerque!

MAY 23

A festival planned for September in Carthage, Missouri, will pay tribute to Red Oak II's late founder Lowell Davis.

He died in November at the age of 83.  To say he was a folk artist is to put it mildly. We were lucky to get to meet and talk with his (with that pipe of course) when the Welcome to Carthage sign (with the cop car behind it) was being put up by the Boots Court.

He is exactly why Route 66 is such a great road.

--RoadDog

Lincoln Highway, Sept. 2020: Lincoln Motor Court Nominated in USA's Ten Best Roadside Motel Contest: It's Like Taking a Trip Back in Time

From the September 30, 2020, Altoona (Pa.) Mirror  "Motor court vies for honor" by Patt Keith.

I've already written about this, but the article has some extra information and since I am so far behind in Lincoln Highway coverage.

Said  co-owner Debbie Altizer, "It's like taking a trip back in time."  Debbie and her husband Bob bought the place back in 1983 after a two-year search.  She said the early years were rough, but word got around and its reputation grew about taking a trip back to the 1940s.

The Altizers spent much time traveling to yard  and estate sales looking for vintage articles and each cabin is stocked with them.  Some of those items are doilies, radios, typewriters, cameras and the metal chairs that sit in front of each cottage (they are those neat ones like those at the Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri).

Each 11 by 16-foot cottage, however, comes with a modern refrigerator and a microwave.  To keep with those bygone days, sorry folks, no air conditioning, just fans.

Rates for the trip back are $85 for two people.

Next Time That Way, I Know Where I Am Going to Stay.  A Perfect Place to Talk With Fellow Travelers.  --RoadDog

Along 66, November 2020: Death of Lowell Davis

NOVEMBER 2

Lowell Davis, creator of Red Oak II and many folk art masterpieces has died at age 83.

He is known as "The Norman Rockwell of Rural Arts."

I was only familiar with his Red Oak II where he recreated his childhood town outside of Carthage, Missouri and his wonderful and intricate large metal sculptures scattered around Carthage.  But, I see he also did paintings and small figurines.

Liz and I were lucky enough to meet him (and his ever-present pipe) at the Boots Court motel back in 2017 when we did our "Route 66 Cruise When We're 66" tour.  We were staying at the Boots and Lowell and crew were putting the finishing touches and his latest creation "Welcome to Carthage" right next to the Boots.  This is the one which has a real automobile with cop hiding behind the sign.

We had a nice talk with him sitting out on those famous metal chairs in front of the Boots.  And, as we were told, he kept that pipe either in his mouth or nearby.  Anyone coming up for a photo and he would quickly grab it and insert in his mouth.

He will be missed.  He was one of those characters who make Route 66 so much fun.

--RoadDog

Along 66, November 2020: Where I Get the Info and Lowell Davis & His Red Oaks II

I take these stories from the Route 66 News blog site.  I have my own Route 66 alerts but don't use them because of this site.  However, I don't use every article from it (even though there is at least one every day), I use just the ones of most interest to me and make comments on them.  However, I am usually at least a month behind.

But, if you want to really know what is going on on the Mother Road, check out the site.

NOVEMBER 1

Train planned for Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri.  It will be a rideable train.

Red Oak II is the brainchild of folk artist Lowell Davis, one of those interesting characters you meet along Route 66.  Among other full size items in it are a Phillips 66 station, an old schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, feed store, general store and several houses along with his really interesting art work.

We were fortunate enough to meet him when he was putting up his Welcome to Carthage sign by the Boots Court Motel several years back.  We were staying at the Boots.

So, the Boots and Lowell.  How Much 66 Can You Get?   --RoadDavis

In Case You're Wondering What the Ten Best Roadside Motels Are

 The USA Today newspaper just concluded their contest to choose the 10 Best Roadside Motels.  People were able to vote from a list of twenty motels (see my October   posts for the complete list) and Friday they announced the winners.  Three of the motels were on Route 66 and one was on the Lincoln Highway.

Here is the list of the Top Ten Motels:

1.  Coachman Motel in South Lake Tahoe, California

2.  Lincoln Motor Court in McMann's Choice, Pennsylvania (or is it McManns Choice?)

3.  The Sunset Motel in Brevard, North Carolina

4.  Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona

5.  Roadrunner Lodge, Tucumcari, New Mexico

6.  The Vagabond Motel in Miami

7.  Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico

8.  Hotel Palms in Atlantic Beach, Florida

9.  Astro Motel in Santa Rosa, California

10.  Sandman in Santa Rosa, California

But, Wait, Munger-Moss, Boots Court and the Wagon Wheel weren't even in the original twenty.  

Something Wrong Here.  --RoadMoss

20 Photos of Motels on Route 66 That Would Be Good Choices to Stay

From Feb. 9, 2020 The Travel  "Planning a Road Trip?  20 Photos of Motels That Look (Surprisingly) Cozy" by Bri Thomas.

All the motels have a retro vibe and comfortable rooms.  Text and some wonderful pictures also accompany the article.

**  Liz and I have stayed in these.  Staying at one of these places gives more credence to a Route 66 trip.  Much netter choice than one of the chains.

ROUTE 66 MOTEL  in Barstow, California

WIGWAM MOTELS San Bernardino, California and Holbrook, Arizona  (I stayed in the one in Cave City, Kentucky)

EL RANCHO MOTEL  in Gallup, New Mexico **

BLUE SWALLOW MOTEL in Tucumcai, New Mexico  **

BIG TEXAN MOTEL in Amarillo, Texas

CAMPBELL HOTEL in Tulsa, Oklahoma

BOOTS COURT MOTEL  in Carthage, Missouri  **

MUNGER MOSS MOTEL in Lebanon, Missouri  **

WAGON WHEEL MOTEL in Cuba, Missouri  **

ROUTE 66 HOTEL in Springfield, Illinois  **

--RoadDog

Along 66, May, 2020: The Boots Court in Carthage Up for Sale

MAY 14--  Boots Court in Carthage, Missouri, officially put up for sale.  Price is $210,000 (a whole lot more reasonable than the $1 million+ price for the Blue wallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M.)

The historic and wonderfully renovated place is at 107 S. Garrison Avenue.  Co-owner Deborah Harvey says the sale comes as a result of that coronavirus thing.

Boots Court was built in 1939 by Arthur Boots (hence the name).  Clark Gable stayed there several times.  It became the Boots Motel in the 1950s

The new owners have restored the place to its 1940s appearance, including a radio in every room, sorry, no TV sets.  They bought the place in 2011 and reopened in 2012.

It is a unique place and in our early years on 66, we'd drive by it and always said we wanted to stay there some time, but no way with how run down it was and its clientele at the time.  We even once took a ride through it and with the looks we got, wished we hadn't.

We did stay there a few years ago and it was a great experience.  This is when noted folk artist Lowell Davis erected his "Welcome to Carthage sign with the cop car behind it right next to the Boots.  That was quite the experience in itself.

Plus, I always wanted to sit in one of those classic old chairs out front of the place.

Well, hoping things change and they can keep it, but if it does sell, here's hoping the new owners will continue.

Lovin' the Boots.  RoadBoot

Along 66, April 2020: Neon Signs, Hand Sanitizer and Boots for Sale

APRIL 20--  Construction begins on the Route 66 Neon Sign Park on Tulsa, Oklahoma's west side.

You can never have too much neon.

APRIL 21--  Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa is now producing small batch hand sanitizer for some reason.

APRIL 23--  Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri,is for sale.  A KOAM-TV interview with co-owner Deborah Harvey said that they have had no guests since March 23 and all April reservations were cancelled because of you-know-what.

The ban on foreign travel especially hurts since around 70% of Route 66 travelers are from foreign countries.

Cost of the Boots Court is $210,000.  Hopefully things will get better and the place will go off sale as the people have done such a great job of bringing back this 66 gem.  Liz and I stayed there a few years ago.

What a Trip Back.  --RoadBoots

Along 66, May 2019: Lowell Davis and Steak 'N Shake

MAY 15--  Lowell Davis' Fox Fore Farm near Carthage. Missouri, is up for sale.  This is not his Red Oak II.  He is a noted folk artist from Carthage.

We were lucky enough to be staying at the Boots Motel when he came over and put up his Welcome to Carthage folk art display by the Boots.  We met him and had a nice talk.  Another one of those special people who make our Mother Road so great.

MAY  18--  This is very alarming news to me.  Outlook grim for the Steak 'N Shake restaurant chain which was founded in 1934 by Gus Bell on Route 66 in Normal, Illinois.  They have 600 locations mostly in the Midwest.  Famous for their steakburgers and shakes.

The problem stems from operating loses. and customer traffic is down.  They also have low prices and lots of coupons.

One Springfield, Missouri, operator resisted efforts to remodel the look of his place built in 1962 and it is a real eye catcher now.

Sure Hope We Don't Lose Our Steak 'N Shakes.  (We Have One in Nearby McHenry, Illinois.)  --RoadDog

"Welcome to Carthage" Project Completed on Route 66

I see that in Ron Hart's Facebook Page that the project of Lowell Davis in Carthage, Missouri, by the Boots Court Motel involving a "Welcome to Carthage, Missoura" sign and a vintage 1950s police car "hiding" behind it in a classic speed trap pose, has been completed as of this past Thursday.

I wrote about it in a previous post in this blog.

We were there when they put up the sign last Monday and got to talk with Mr. Davis who is quite a character.

Lowell Davis had the cop's head in the car replaced with a pumpkin in honor of the season.

This will sure help Carthage's tourism and no doubt will be a very photographed site.

Don't Speed in Carthage.  --RoadDog