Route 66 Rev Leg 5: Tulsa to St. Louis

Heading out of Galena you’ll hit the small town of Riverton, home to the Old Riverton Store. The building is a replica of the original building that was destroyed by a tornado in the 1920s. Here’s another chance to buy both souvenirs and sandwiches.

Hop over to the Galena Mining and Historical Museum to learn all about the region’s rich mining history. The hours of the museum vary, but it’s a fun stop full of newspapers from yesteryears and other antiques, including a collection of Model Ts and Model As in the back garage. The people of the historical society work tirelessly to push Galena’s Route 66 history.

Galena is one of the most well-preserved towns along Route 66. Home to the Kan-O-Tex gasoline station from Disney’s Cars, the Murals of Galena, and a 1952 Will Rogers Marker, Galena was once a successful mining town. The town was hit hard by the Depression and violent miner strikes. Later, when the town was bypassed by I-44, tourists stopped visiting, the mines closed down, and the population dropped. Today, several historic buildings around town offer a peek into Galena’s rocky past.

By this point, you’ve likely passed a few drive-in theaters, and it’s worth stopping at one to catch a movie. The 66 Drive-In in Carthage is a great surviving example of postwar outdoor theaters. Situated on a 9-acre, scenic plot of land, just about three miles from downtown, the drive-in (with a 66-foot-high screen, playground, and Art Deco concession stand) opened in 1949.

The Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, often compared to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in Rome, is the lovechild of artist Samuel Butcher. Free tours are offered every day. The gift shop is considered to be the world’s largest Precious Moments gift shop.

If you’re more into beans than brews, hit up Mother Road Coffee in Carthage. In addition to espresso and Italian sodas, you’ll find a great selection of pastries and friendly baristas.

Pythian Castle is frequently listed as one of the best kept secrets in Missouri. Built in 1913 by the mysterious Knights of Pythias, the castle was ultimately purchased by the U.S. military and even housed some POWs during World War II. Today, it’s privately owned and used for historic tours, ghost hunts, escape room events, and murder mysteries.

Edwin Powell Hubble was born in Marshfield in 1889. To commemorate the famous astronomer, there’s a Hubble Telescope Replica Statue on the west side of the town square. It weighs a whopping 1,200 pounds and is one-quarter the size of the actual Hubble Space Telescope. The town itself is cute, too, so if you have time, spend a day strolling around.

The Route 66 Museum is a fun stop where visitors can view a reconstructed retro motel room, a gas station, and a diner. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.