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Motoring tourists are often drawn to America's Mother Road, Route 66. Traveling the western states was popularized in the old Bobby Troup song (Get Your Kicks on Route 66). In spite of the fact that much of the original highway has been replaced by interstates that go around cities rather than through them, there are still plenty of road signs to guide tourists along the historical path, allowing them to get a flavor of what it was like to make the trip when Route 66 was in its heyday.
Of all the states that own a section of the Mother Road, Kansas has the smallest portion...only 9 miles. But those 9 miles that cross the southeast corner of the state are as interesting to see as all of the rest. The small towns of Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs are along the route, and visitors will discover that these communities are quite proud of their Route 66 heritage.
The Galena Mining Museum is a great stop, where tourists can learn about the rise and decline of what was once the largest lead and zinc field in the world, a local industry that financially outproduced all of the gold mining in America.
Four miles farther, a stop in Riverton at the Eisler Brothers' Store will allow motorists to grab a tasty deli-style sandwich and purchase Route 66 memorabilia.
Another few miles, and tourists can stop at the Baxter Springs Heritage Center, a place to view artifacts from the area's Civil War history(Quantrill's Raiders once massacred soldiers at the nearby Union outpost), and see one of the best museums of any small town in America. Special displays for each of the last 10 decades are set up, as well as sections featuring the local mining industry, and the Native American tribes that inhabited the area.
Taking a leisurely look at the interesting stops along the Kansas 9 miles might require the better part of a morning or afternoon, but the time spent is guaranteed to be enjoyable and educational.
There are motels in Galena and Baxter Springs, although those who prefer the large chain companies for lodging might do well to stop at nearby Joplin, Missouri (5 miles east, for a greater selection. The Holiday Inn, the Drury, the Hampton Inn, and the Hilton Garden Inn are just a few of the choices that set along the south end of Joplin, near the exit to Interstate 44. |
