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Route 66 Through Carthage, Missouri
The Powers Museum is located on the first alignment of Highway 66 on Carthage's westside along with Municipal Park that was developed during the 1930s thanks to several New Deal programs. The museum's site was long-known as the Park Motor Court and Cafe, having taken its name from the park located across the street.
Pictured below is a view of a 1931 postcard featuring the Taylor Tourist Park which was owned by H. C. Scoville who developed the original motor court on what was to become the museum's location (and later re-named Park Motor Court).
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In the business section of the 1937 Carthage directory, only three tourist camps are listed: Carter Tourist Park at 901 E. Chestnut, Tourist Park at 600 S. River and Harvey P. Wilson's Tourist Park at 423 S. Garrison. Taylor Park may not have been listed since it was one mile west of town, just like other commercial establishments on the eastern route of Highway 66 were not listed since they were outside the city limits, too. (Just a few years later in 1941, another establishment, the Whatnot at 2070 S. Garrison appears in the city directory listing for Tourist Camps.)
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The museum site as it
looked when the board purchased the property and started building
in 1987.
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Early gas stations along Oak Street were Dunlap Oil at 431 W. Oak, Joy Garage Filling Station run by Joy L. Ortloff at 500 W. Oak, Howard Oil at 916 W. Oak, and Dyer Service Station at 1220 W. Oak. Among the groceries along the way: Oliver Kyte Grocery at 533 W. Oak, Neil's Grocery at 732 W. Oak, George Earle Grocery at 1002 W. Oak, and the Carson Kidd Grocery at 1200 W. Oak. Two car companies were found as well on Oak Street: Joy-Stith Motor Co. next to the Joy Garage at the SW corner of McGregor and Oak and Griffith Motor Co. Used Cars at 1217 W. Oak (now the Route 66 Flea Market). But probably most interesting to have found in the city directory was Madame Kittie E. Briden, spiritual medium, living at 509 W. Oak. Wonder how many sojourners stopped for a little peek into the future!
Coming to Carthage and want to drive historic Route 66?
Send SASE (with three 42 cents stamps affixed to it) to:
Powers Museum — Rt 66 Map
PO Box 593
Carthage MO 64836
We will send you the 2006–07 Missouri Route 66 map for your trip.
Route 66 Bridge Balusters Donated to Powers Museum
ROUTE 66 LINKS
Route 66 Association of Arizona
Route 66 Association of California
Route 66 Association of Illinois
Kansas Historic Route 66 Association
Route 66 Association of Missouri
Route 66 Association of New Mexico
Route 66 Association of Oklahoma
Texas Old Route 66 Association
Old Route 66 Association of Texas
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program/National Park Service
Route 66 University - Maps, Photos, Business Listings, More
Copyright © 2009 Powers Museum
1617 West Oak • P.O. Box 593 • Carthage, MO 64836
e-mail:infonow@powersmuseum.com
| phone: 417-237-0456
All Web site design, content and solutions are property of Powers Museum
