Writing from Route 66

Letters from Missouri Life Readers

Spencer Springs Back to Life

I have been doing preservation work on Route 66 since 2007. While traveling Route 66 back in 2008, I came through south- west Missouri. I first saw this wonderful bridge called the Johnson Creek Bridge (a 1923 steel bridge still standing strong in Miller), and I was in awe of it and the fact that it was still standing. As I pulled away, I started seeing this old Phillips 66 station, which would announce itself as the “Town of Spencer, Missouri.” This building, with four businesses located inside, blew my mind. It was something visually appealing for the history buff in me, but yet it felt so out of place in the middle of nowhere. I grew to love the little town of Spencer more and more after I started seeing all the other businesses and buildings on the 2,448 miles of Route 66. In short, Spencer was my favorite place on Route 66, as there truly is nothing like Spencer.

As fate would have it, in April of 2022, we found out it was for sale, and I bought it in June of 2022! We have been as faithful in our restoration process to our tiny little town as we possibly can. Not only are we happy we have this place, but the thousands of locals and tourists from around the world are glad we have it as well and are happy we are bringing it back to how it would have looked and functioned back in the 1930s and 1940s. For a place that had been closed to the public since 1961, we can honestly say Spencer is back to life on Historic Route 66 in southwest Missouri!
— Ed Klein, Spencer

Barbecue and Basketburgers

I grew up near Route 66 in Laclede County, and we often went to the iconic Munger Moss for the barbeque or basketburgers. Another popular spot in Lebanon was run by our neighbor, Andy Liebl, who owned Andy’s Street Car Grill. And yes, “Liebl” is the correct spelling. His diner was made by putting two streetcars end-to-end with a kitchen in the middle.

His cook, Wanda Coleman, made hot dog sandwiches that were very popular with the younger crowd. She split the wieners lengthwise but only partway through. This created a flat three-piece result which was fried and served on a hamburger bun with any toppings we desired.

Just down the road in Marshfield was a pretty good restaurant with a goofy name. George Barnes’ family operated the Garbage Can Cafe there, and locals knew it was a good spot for comfort food.

Whatever you do, you must include the Route 66 Museum in Lebanon. Last year, this museum was visited by people from all 50 states and from over five countries!

I think you will also want to include the Big Chief Roadhouse in Wildwood. Back in the day, it was a speakeasy and was patronized by gangsters, ball players, and lots of people from St. Louis looking for a place where they might not be recognized. Today, it’s a popular place with the upscale patrons from the area.
— Ross Malone, Union

Taking a Dip at Munger Moss

Mike here from Laclede County. I grew up along Route 66 all my life in the Lebanon area. I used to go swimming in the pool at the Munger Moss as a kid.

I serve as vice president of the Lebanon Laclede County Route 66 Society and cochair the Lebanon Route 66 Festival Committee. That said, Lebanon probably has some of the best things to see and do on the route in Missouri, packed into our small town. The Munger Moss Motel sign is the most photographed sign on the route. The city of Lebanon now owns the sign, and it will be refurbished. Its neon will be lit nightly through the centennial year.

Our Lebanon Route 66 Museum is our hidden gem, with one-of-a-kind historical pieces on display depicting the origins and heyday of Route 66, along with a few unique collections. It is a must-see for any traveler. We had visitors from all 50 states and 52 countries last year, and we are on track for similar numbers this year.

Lebanon is also home to the Boswell Route 66 Park and murals, which are great photo opportunities. A new, large 66 interactive display is also being installed as part of the Missouri 66 Centennial Commission’s efforts to provide a new photo opportunity in each county. That should be installed within the next month or so [as of December 2025]. The park is also home to the Camp Joy Cabin, which was restored by our society a few years ago and moved to the park. Camp Joy was one of the first area tourist camps in the 1920s, and Bonnie and Clyde were rumored to have stayed there.
— Mike Boggs, Lebanon

A Marvelous Mineral Museum

A great stop in Joplin is the History and Mineral Museum in Schifferdecker Park. It’s a great two-fer of a detailed chronology of the mining industry and community history: an extensive circus diorama and memorabilia from the 50-year career of Ringling Bros./Barnum and Bailey Circus bandmaster Merle Evans (from nearby Columbus, Kansas), Bonnie and Clyde, actor Dennis Weaver, and more.
— Marvin Manring, Stockton

---

Presented by Missouri Life in partnership with Visit Missouri.

This article was originally printed in the February 2026 issue of Missouri Life.