Route 66 – Kansas

Route 66 covers only 13 miles through Kansas. The entry point into the state is just west of Central City in Missouri and east of Galena in Kansas. It leaves the state south of Baxter Springs.

Kansas Route 66 was completely bypassed by the modern US Highway system. A modernized and enlarged version of the original Route 66 takes you from Central City in Missouri into Kansas.

The road goes through an area known as the “Tri-State Mining District“. This is a historic lead-zinc mining area located in between southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma. 

The district produced lead and zinc for 120 years starting in the 1850’s and ending in 1970’s. Production was particularly high during the World War I era and continued after World War II at a reduced pace when the last mine was closed in 1970.

During the district’s life, 4,000 mines produced 23 million tons of zinc concentrates and 4 million tons of lead concentrates, accounting for 50% of the zinc and 10% of the lead used in the US.

Because of extensive toxic environmental wastes produced from these lead and zinc deposits, known as chat, large areas have been rendered uninhabitable and damage has been caused to air, land and water quality.

Some of the Tri- State’s mines areas have become Superfund sites due to the quantities of toxic waste left behind after the closure of the mines. 

A road to support the mining operations was already paved in 1923. Later it was included as part of Route 66. However, by 1950’s with the decline of production, this section of Route 66 was bypassed by Interstate I-44.

Kansas was therefore, the only state where Route 66 was completely bypassed, leaving behind the original highway that remained a a unique historical route with well preserved sites and businesses that reflect the original highway legacy.

Galena

Soon after entering Kansas through Route 66 you will reach the town of Galena. The town location was originally known as Cornwall, Short Creek and Bonanza. But it became known as Galena in 1877 after the lead ore galena found in the area.

The Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad existed between 1870 to 1988. In the 1890s, the MKT was commonly referred to as “the K-T”, because for a time it was the Kansas–Texas division of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and “KT” was its abbreviation in timetables as well as its stock exchange symbol. This soon evolved into the nickname “Katy” that lasted till today.

A stop at the Galena Mining and Historical Museum is well worth. The museum opened in 1984 and is located on the old Katy Railroad Depot. Very interesting building and displays showing the history of Galena and the Tri-State area.

Main Street Galena still has several historical buildings from the time of Route 66 and is very picturesque.

Michael Wallis, author of Route 66: The Mother Road and famous Route 66 historian, led Pixar team down the road itself in 2001, while the Cars story was being crafted.

It was on this trip that the writers and animators saw the locations and met the people that would later come together to become Radiator Springs and the characters in the movie.

The initial inspiration for Tow Mater came from their stop in Galena, Kansas. In the Cars Series, Mater is characterized by his friendly and optimistic personality. He owns and operates Tow Mater Towing & Salvage in Radiator Springs, where he lives. His unique ability is being the “world’s best backwards driver,” which he showcases throughout the series.

When the Pixar team was going through Galena, an old, rusted 1951 International Harvester boom truck sitting next to an abandoned gas station caught the eye of the team. Photos were taken and sketches were made and Mater was born. Mater’s design was refined as the story took shape, but it was this truck that came first. It is striking to see the similarity between the original Mater and the movie character.

Michael Wallis, the Route 66 historian, provided the voice for the Sheriff in the Cars franchise.

“Cars on the Route” is a fun stop. It is an old Kan-O-Tex service station at the north end of Main Street, where the abandoned “Matter” was sitting. It was restored in 2007 by 4 women from Galena: Betty Courtney, Melba Rigg, Renee Charles and Judy Courtney. Their efforts helped lead the rebirth of Galena’s stretch of Historic Route 66.

Very close to “Cars on the Route” there is a small building named “Luigis Pit Stop” in case you are interested in some photo opportunities. There is also a Sheriff car on a pole. More recently, Gearhead Curios unveiled a “Doc Hudson” Hornet at their former Texaco station that is now a gift shop.

Riverton

Continuing west on Route 66 you will drive towards Riverton. You are still following the original centerline of the road.

At Riverton you can stop at Nelson’s Riverton Old Store that has been in operation prior to the implementation of Route 66.

From Riverton Route 66 continues and deviates only from the original path for a few hundred yards near the intersection with KS 400. There you will find Riverton Route 66 Sculpture.

After the intersection the road remains on the same original path until you reach the intersection with SE 50th St. Here the original path is through the Historic Rainbow Bridge, but this short section is closed to traffic. After this short detour the road continues south following it’s original path till you reach the Landmark Route 66 sign before Baxter Springs.

The road then makes a left turn and soon after a right turner merging with US-69 Alt. as it enters the town of Baxter Springs.

Big Brutus – Not on Route 66

This is not part of Route 66 but a half an hour detour can take you north of Riverton to visit “Big Brutus“.

Big Brutus is the nickname of the Bucyrus-Erie model 1850-B electric power shovel, which was the second largest of its type in operation in the 1960s and 1970s.

The shovel was designed to dig from 20 to 69 feet down to unearth relatively shallow coal seams. You can follow any directions your GPS driving app tell it is convenient to get to Big Brutus and back to Route 66.

Baxter Springs

Continuing now south from Riverton the road arrives at Baxter Springs. Here you can visit Baxter Springs Heritage Museum and the Route 66 Visitor Center that is located at a gasoline station owned by the Independent Oil and Gas Company.

After Baxter Springs Route 66 follows the same path as US-69 Alt. till you reach the state line and cross into Oklahoma.