The Birthplace of Route 66—Springfield, MO
Most riders would say Route 66 begins in Chicago (or Los Angeles, depending on your perspective). But although the Windy City is the road’s starting point, that’s not where it begins.
To find the birthplace of Route 66, you’ll have to point your front wheel to Springfield, MO.
The city is also nicknamed the Queen City of the Ozarks, but where its actual name came from is a point of contention. According to different sources, Springfield is named after either Springfield, MA, or Springfield, TN.
That said, when John Polk Campbell, the first European settler, arrived in the area, he chose to settle down here because he discovered a small natural well in a grassy clearing. It was almost like… A spring in a field.
We do know, however, that when the city’s name was decided, one James Wilson handed out free whiskey to anyone voting for “Springfield.” He must’ve liked the name.
There are also more unfortunate circumstances that surround Springfield’s origin. Shortly after its founding, thousands upon thousands of Cherokee people were banished from the area. The Trail of Tears Memorial in Springfield commemorates their struggles today.
But what about Route 66? Well, one of the two entrepreneurs who successfully lobbied for the creation of the Mother Road was Springfield resident John Woodruff.
Additionally, the numerical designation of 66 was handed to the new Chicago-Los Angeles route in Springfield on April 30, 1926. The city also served as a major stop along the highway.
And that’s why Springfield is known as the Birthplace of Route 66.
Route 66 and Wild West
If you motor into town, do it during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival. This public event, organized annually since 2010, celebrates the famous road’s history.
Activities during the festival include motorcycle and car rides and shows, Route 66 exhibits, and live music. The culmination of the event is the parade through Springfield, following parts of the original R66 route.
The Route 66 Car Museum is also worth seeing for anyone interested in the road’s two- or four-wheeled history.
On that topic, history buffs are well catered to in Springfield, with plenty of places and buildings to see. The nearby Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield was the site of the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi on August 10, 1861.
Springfield’s Commercial Street Historic District features 57 buildings dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries that are still in use. Another fascinating house is the Gray/Campbell Farmstead, which features the oldest surviving house in the city from 1856.
Wild West fans will want to see the Park Central Square, the site of the Hickok-Tutt shootout. This rare example of a real-life revolver duel over gambling debts was what turned Wild Bill Hickok into a frontier celebrity.
The Johnny Morris Wonders of Wildlife Museum is a conservation-themed museum showcasing animals and their habitats from Missouri to the Amazon. As it’s named after the founder of Bass Pro Shops (with the company’s headquarters next door), it’s only fitting that the place also has a giant 1.5-million-gallon aquarium.
If you enjoy the fine art of classic theater, pay a visit to Springfield Little Theater. Housed in the 1909 Landers Theater building, you can catch a play in a historical setting.
Riders who prefer outdoor activities can visit the nearby Fantastic Caverns, which offers a ride-through experience (not in your motorcycle, though) of the gorgeous cave system. Table Rock Lake, some 30 miles south of Springfield, also offers everything from swimming and hiking to fishing and boating.
Visiting Springfield is something any rider having a love affair with Route 66 should do. Yet, you’ll find much more here than just the Mother Road.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- Route 66 Visitor Center and Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
- Commercial Street Historic District
- Johnny Morris Wonders of Wildlife Museum
- Fantastic Caverns
- Table Rock Lake
Nearby Roads
The most significant motorcycling road you can access from Springfield is, naturally, Route 66. There’s one surviving original stretch of the Mother Road through the city, along Glenstone Ave and Kearney St.
But Route 66 isn’t the only excellent opportunity for motorcycling around Springfield. After all, this is the Queen City of the Ozarks.
To the southeast, you’ll find SR 125. It’s a wonderfully curvy 60-mile ride that takes you to the forested and farm-covered hills of the Ozarks. The Missouri SR 86 and Arkansas SR 23 combo to the southwest offers more Ozarks beauty with some waterscapes sprinkled in.
If you don’t mind a longer ride, you could also head east to SR 19. The stretch between Winona and Hermann offers stunning scenic views and curves that are sure to put a smile on your face.
Recommended Lodging
The Mansion at Elfindale
The Mansion at Elfindale is a delightful bed-and-breakfast that takes you back to Springfield’s past beyond Route 66. The 13 large rooms are decorated in a Victorian fashion, fitting for the fin-de-siècle building.
The Mansion has its own private parking lot, allowing you to leave your bike nearby. You can take a stroll through the gorgeous garden to stretch your legs after the ride.
You’ll certainly start your riding day with a full stomach, thanks to the excellent breakfast served at the Mansion. For dinner, there are several eateries within walking distance.
Food & Dining
Should you find yourself rolling into Springfield, you must visit Red’s Giant Hamburg. This local hamburger joint, once a staple stop among Route 66, is the world’s first drive-through restaurant.
Sheldon “Red” Chaney opened the Red’s in 1947, and it quickly became a popular among passing motorists. Sadly, the original establishment shut its doors in 1984 and was demolished in 1997.
Red’s wasn’t forgotten, however. Its large cross-shaped sign was rebuilt and erected in 2015, and the restaurant itself made a comeback four years later.
Today, Red’s is back in business, although not at its original location. Still, if you step inside, you’ll find an accurate recreation of what Red’s looked like back in Route 66’s heyday—and of course, you’ll get to sample the delicious burgers.
Find it at 2301 W Sunshine St, Springfield, MO.
Best Time to Travel
You should do your Springfield trip in the fall. Not only will you get to enjoy the gorgeous autumn colors in the Ozarks, but early fall is also when the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival and other fun local events take place.
If you can’t ride the Mother Road in the fall, spring is also a good time, although you’ll miss the events. Summers in Missouri can get extremely humid, but you can certainly visit in the summer months as well, as long as you don’t mind sweating.
Whenever you come to Springfield, though, you should be aware that it has a reputation for having the most varied weather out of any city in the U.S. Just so you’re prepared.