By Don Lowe
Boots Court Motel, located along renowned Route 66 in Southwest Missouri, remains a tried and true, time-honored tradition for more than eight decades.
As manager of this venerable venue, Jeremy Morris understands the significance of it and he says, “The Boots has an incredible heritage. Clark Gable famously stayed in Rooms 6 and 10 in 1942 and 1947. Other classic-era celebrities have visited or stayed here, including Gene Autry, Mickey Mantle, Guy Lombardo and Smiley Burnette.
“We’re located at one of the most important road intersections in the country, the ‘Crossroads of America.’ This is where the world-famous Route 66 meets the Jefferson Highway, one of the oldest north-south roads. Called the “Pine to Palm’ Highway, and pre-dating highway numbering systems, in 1916 this was the main artery between Winnipeg, Manitoba, and New Orleans, Louisiana.”
Morris notes, “The first general manager, J.D. Clarkson, was a Carthage native and he is buried in the local Park Cemetery. All in all, the Boots is simply an iconic piece of Americana that is continuing to grow and thrive.”
This magnificent motel seems as vibrant as it ever has been and Morris says, “All 13 rooms are fully renovated and rentable, which hasn’t happened in many years.
“The mid-century building next door, that was a former Sinclair Service Station, has also been completely remodeled to house our check-in office and gift shop, where we sell many exclusive Boots Court items. The Route 66 community loves to purchase merchandise related to each stop, so we maintain a wide selection of items in this building.”
When it comes to revitalization of such a splendid space that is so widely acclaimed and well regarded, Morris says, “This is one of the last of the ‘streamline moderne’ motels on Route 66, and one of only a handful of the classic ‘ma and pa’ motor courts that still exist on the Missouri stretch of Route 66.
“The Boots Court is not merely an important architectural and culturally important building to preserve locally, it’s truly an international site. We’re on the cover of a best-selling Route 66 book in Germany. We regularly get tour groups from Australia, France, Italy, etc., that rent the entire building as they pass through our Route 66 corridor.”
In connecting the past, present and future, Morris says, “As we approach the Centennial celebrations (2026), which is the 100th anniversary of this almost mystical and inspiring piece of pavement, all eyes are turning to Route 66.
“The labor of love that the Boots Foundation has undertaken is more than just concrete blocks and stucco. It’s a realization of an American ideal. Arthur Boots built this motor court with his brother, his grit, on the bones of his Red Horse Service Station. There is a real DIY spirit here.”
Morris says, “This is a unique vision, a one-of-a-kind antidote to cookie-cutter chains and boring corporate structures. People keep coming back to experience something they can’t find just anywhere, something that’s tied to the place it was built, and individual creativity of those who built it. We’re just the latest caretakers in this chain.”
Along with all the facility upgrades, there’s a vivid visual presentation coming to life and Morris says, “Now that a lot of the work on the buildings has been accomplished, we can get to the fun stuff.
“Our first piece is a 28-foot wide ‘advertising’ mural that depicts our iconic logo, ‘Radio in Every Room,’ a 66 shield and JH logo, Clark Gable’s smiling face, a Sinclair dinosaur logo and a vintage Coca-Cola piece of artwork. We utilized the fantastic talents of local artists Alexandra Burnside and Cheryl Church, to complete this large artwork.”
There’s more to come. Morris says, “We’re currently in the process of completing our second mural that will serve as a ‘Welcome to Carthage’- style billboard, by April Davis, the daughter of local art legend, Lowell Davis. We have many other projects in the works as well.”
The Boots Court Motel is thrilled to welcome so many sightseers along their journeys and Morris says, “Our guests are approximately 90% tourists traveling the ‘Road’ from Chicago to Santa Monica through eight states and 2,500 miles.
“About 25 percent of our guests are international. Our guest book features signatures from nearly 60 countries in just the short time I’ve been manager. Our guests are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history of Route 66, and they’re educated on the details of each attraction.”
While there’s plenty of nostalgia, it’s the people along the way who help make it special. “By the time they’re in the Ozarks, these road-trippers realize what was a trip involving neon motels, vintage diners and giant muffler men is a quest to meet unique individuals that populate and maintain Route 66 every day.”
What: One of the oldest operating motels along the iconic Route 66.
When: Arthur and Ilda Boots opened Boots Court in 1939.
Where: 107 S. Garrison Ave., Carthage, Missouri
Website: https://bootscourt66.com/
Phone Number: 417.310.2989
Email Address: bootscourt66@ gmail.com
Recognition: Recently awarded the 2023 Golden Hammer Award for commercial preservation from Carthage Historic Preservation. The main motel, built in 1939, named to the National Register of Historic Places.
Features: Especially known for the original neon and iconic signs. Building has “gas and glass” neon tubing, just like was used before the invention of LED.