Extended Weekend Getaways 
By Heather Raulerson
Freelance Travel Writer
Are you seeking a unique place to explore on your next family road trip? The infamous Route 66 is one of the most popular road trips across the country, covering over 2,000 miles through eight states. Most people know of the giant statues, vintage road signs, and cool hotels, but were you aware of the fantastic places on the 13 miles of Mother Road in Kansas? Even though Kansas has a small portion of Route 66, it packs a huge punch with historic sites, throwback diners, museums, and so much more. Are you ready to see what awaits you on Route 66 in Kansas? Let’s go!
Back in Time at Nelson’s Old Riverton Store
When you are on a road trip, it is good to take a break now and again to stretch your legs, and a great place to do that is at Nelson’s Old Riverton Store. This seemingly middle-of-nowhere road stop is, in fact, the oldest continuously operating business on Route 66. Nelson’s opened in 1925, a year before Route 66 did. The interior, including the original tin ceiling, hasn’t changed much since the store’s beginning which has put Nelson’s Old Riverton Store on the National Register of Historic Places.
Most of the store displays general store items; however, there is an addition with every Route 66 souvenir imaginable (books, shirts, magnets, stickers, and mugs). I spent some time checking out all the nostalgia on the walls and shelves, the vintage Coca-Cola signs, Riverton news clippings, and even a portion of Ronal Reagan’s inaugural address before buying a t-shirt. Don’t forget to grab a sandwich, bottle of pop, bag of chips, or even a beet-pickled egg before heading back on the road.
Explore Baxter Springs – the Inspiration for Radiator Springs
When you drive through Baxter Springs, you can’t help to see the comparisons between this small town and the Cars movie Radiator Springs, so much so that they were actually paving Main Street when I drove through. I almost heard Lightning McQueen revving his engine down a side street as we crossed the intersection. You can see an Army hangar building, a lube station, and a vintage soda fountain sign. If hungry, stop into Bricks & Brews for pizza and salad, and check out the amazing retro art murals on the side of the building.
Wander through History at Baxter Springs Heritage Center
Encompassing over 20,000 sqft, Baxter Springs Heritage Center has an enormous amount of history displayed in this museum. The first floor goes into great depth about Baxter Springs’s early years, discussing the Indian territory, America’s Military Expansion westward, the border wars between Missouri and Kansas, and whether Kansas would be a slave state or a free state, and a fabulous Native American and African American History section.
The highlight, though, is found in the museum’s lower level. Here you will find replicas of an 1870s street with shops, a Lincoln School classroom, a 1930s farmhouse, and a barn. There is also an exhibit on the Tri-State Mining business and how Baxter Springs became “The First Cowtown.” With so much to explore, expect to spend a few hours going through this magnificent museum.
Walk Over Last Remaining Marsh Arch Bridge
The Rainbow Curve Bridge was one of three Marsh Arch Bridges along Route 66, with this one being the last surviving one you can still drive over. Built-in 1923, it was the connection between the mining towns of Baxter Springs, Riverton, and Galena. A small parking area to the side of the bridge allows you to park and walk a short distance to the bridge. Walking across and standing directly over the Kansas Route 66 sign was amazing. Be careful, as cars can still drive over the bridge if you plan to walk across. The Marsh Arch Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Galena, the Oldest Mining Town in Kansas
There is plenty to see in Galena, including the Galena Mining and Historical Museum in the old train depot; the 19-ft tall statue of Frecs the Miner; Galena City Jail; vintage street murals; and Gearhead Curios. Gearhead Curios is a restored Texaco gas station with a cool license plate ceiling and ‘51 Hudson. Make sure to bring a signed license plate to them, and they will permanently mount it on their ceiling. Plus, don’t forget your camera, as plenty of photo ops are available inside and outside with their Kansas license plate American flag. A short walk around the town will take you past the provocative stained-glass window of the once-Murder Bordello Museum, right next to Cars on Route.
What are Cars on Route?
Cars on Route is a restored Kan-O Tex Station home of “Tow-Tator,” the rusted, broken-down tow truck that inspired Mater. In addition to “Tow-Tator,” you’ll find another tow truck and fire engine equipped with big eyes in the windshield. And if you look further down Route 66, you’ll see a replica of the Sherriff’s vehicle resting on a pole high in the sky. Walking down there to see them better, you’ll see a replica of Luigi, Lightning McQueen, and even the tipping tractors. This road stop also has numerous Route 66 murals for photo ops, including one with Dorothy from Wizard of Oz saying, “Yes Toto, there is Route 66 in Kansas.”
Nature at the Southeast Kansas Nature Center
The Southeast Kansas Nature Center at Schermerhorn Park is a wonderful place to fish, learn about Kansas animals’ local habitat and conservation, and see several smaller creatures, like snakes, spiders, and turtles, in the nature center. Ok, maybe skip the spiders as I did. Stretch your legs on the hiking trail to Schermerhorn Cave to see the entrance to a Mississippian limestone cave home to several types of Salamanders. The cave is closed to explorers, but it is a lovely nature hike with plenty of birds and plant life.
Feel Small in the World’s Largest Electric Shovel
Big Brutus is over 16 stories tall and weighs 11 million pounds. You can’t appreciate this monster’s size until you approach it. Be careful; your neck might get a crick in it. Big Brutus is a gigantic tribute to its contribution to Southeast Kansas’ Coal Mining Industry. The museum and memorial to coal workers have a big display of mining tools and replicas of mining sites. As you walk outside, you walk along a path lined with Big Brutus’ hoist cables that lifted the 90-cubic-yard bucket that could dig out 135 tons of dirt and rocks. But, WOW! As you get closer and closer, you are overwhelmed by how huge this shovel is.
When you get to the base, there are entrances that you can climb up for a self-guided tour inside Big Brutus. You can scan QR codes to hear the stories of men who worked on this machine. A recommendation to get some cool photos is to have someone in your party be on the ground to take one of you in the driver’s seat. The view from up there is amazing, and you can see the last pit Big Brutus dug, which is 50 feet deep and two miles long. It is so wonderful that it is now stocked with fish, and Big Brutus was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.
Although short on miles, Route 66 through Kansas is long on history and small-town charm. Don’t bypass this little corner of Kansas on your next road trip along Route 66. There is so much to see and do in Southeast Kansas that you might want to stay for a few days to enjoy everything.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the April 2023 issue of Extended Weekend Getaways and is being republished in recognition of the Route 66 Centennial celebration.
