2024 EB Day 13 - Pumping Across Missouri
- Paul Mullan
- May 28, 2024
- 2 min read
The new sign for Boots motel shows the progress made with preservation..
But relics motels still blot the landscape, left in ruin just outside Carthage.
By contrast the buildings of small town Red Oak II were saved by artist and sculptor Lowell Davis.
His widow Rose was on hand to ensure his legacy lives on.
It is an unusual array of buildings and structures assembled in what once was a field of corn.
There are a couple of disused gas pumps in a pasture along the road, these days well disguised by grass but the signs suggest they’ve been regularly spied by enthusiastic Route 66ers!
Spencer Gas Station is being revived…
Thanks to Ed Kline and his wife.
The cupcakes were delightful…
…the barber shop and shoe polishing display authentic.
The Pony Bridge that separates Spencer from their rival gas station is on a genuine piece on concrete from 1926… still carrying traffic.
Gary’s Gay Parita is still open, thanks to daughter Barb and husband George.
It’s always a delight with tales of Gary’s exploits as one of the original fathers of old Route 66, he was an early proponent of preserving its history.
In Springfield, we find Guy Mace’s private and eclectic collection of cars.
His brother Jim, a partner in this and Guy’s business until 2008, gave us time to explain.
As did Tom, retired motor wrench, who was suitably impressed with Lindsay’s own dedication to the industry.
They say everything is big in Texas, but it’s in Springfield you’ll find the biggest Bass Pro shop.
‘The Grand Daddy of them all’, combines retail, a huge gun display, wild animals…
...dead or alive!
Highway i65 drops south toward Arkansas and Branson.
It’s a busy place this memorial weekend and holiday makers fill the town.
The kiwi lads couldn’t get enough of cars, so tore down the door at Branson’s Auto & Farm museum.
Once again, no disappointment wandering amongst old cars…
…and even older tractors.
At 9pm the Star Spangled Banner was blasting out over Brandon landing to a patriotic audience and synchronized Fire and Water display.
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