Clark Gable's room is still available
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Friday 🗺️ July 10, 2026 🗺️ Heading into Missouri on Route 66 Happy Friday, Reader! This week’s home base? Quapaw Casino! Ten bucks a night gets us water and electricity, so I’m already feeling like a jackpot winner without even trying my luck inside. The real gamble is with the weather, though. The heat and humidity are calling the shots, my hair has totally surrendered, and we’re only venturing out when the sun decides to chill out a bit. Last week, we rolled farther north to tackle the Missouri stretch of Route 66. I thought Carthage would be a quick pit stop for just one historic attraction, but it totally sucked us in, and we ended up hanging around most of the evening. That’s the magic of the road, always full of surprises! The green neon on the roof flickered on just as the sky turned that perfect ember glow behind the building. I was there earlier in the day and could tell this place would be magic at dusk. The neon really pops once it gets dark. A few guests were lounging outside in those classic red metal chairs, winding down after a day of cruising vintage cars on Route 66. They shared a some stories and passed on a t-shirt won at a raffle. Seems like friendliness is just how things roll at Boots. The motel opened back in 1939 with eight rooms, then added five more later. Rooms used to be $2.50 a night. These days, you'll pay at least $125. Clark Gable stayed here twice, once in room 6 in 1942 and again in room 10 in 1947. Gene Autry and Mickey Mantle also signed the guest register. Usually, you find that kind of history on a plaque, but here, you get a room and a history lesson! That neon glow really does make you feel like you've time-traveled. Green lights outline the roof, and red letters shout out 'Cabins' and 'No Vacancy' above the door. If you're road-tripping Route 66 in Missouri, try to hit Carthage at dusk. Boots is totally worth the detour. Friday Five from Carthage, MissouriWe pulled over at the shield sign as soon as we rolled into town. I loved catching the city scene peeking out behind it. The Jasper County Courthouse has been standing since 1894, and honestly, it looks like a medieval castle plopped right in the middle of small-town Missouri. Supposedly, it's the second most photographed building in the whole state. I know I added a few to the tally! Okay, who knew Marlin Perkins grew up here?? I stopped by to check out the statue of the Wild Kingdom host I used to watch on Sunday nights as a kid, but the vibrant maple leaf art was a nice bonus! Red Oak II is a recreated ghost town just outside Carthage. Most of the old cars there are a bit past their prime, so this shiny red Chevy totally stole the show. The old Trolley Car diner hasn't served up breakfast in years, but it's still hanging out in Red Oak II, proudly reminding you where you are.
One Thing to Know - Finding AttractionsAs we roll into a new town, I like to check my Roadside America app. It is packed with all sorts of quirky and offbeat roadside attractions, and honestly, that's how I find a lot of the fun stops I share here. Carthage is a perfect example. Boots Court was the main goal, but I stumbled onto the Perkins statue thanks to a quick search. They just launched a Route 66 app for the centennial called Roadside 66, and it's been super handy for finding obscure sites on Rt. 66 this year!
Next week, we're heading north to Springfield, the spot where Route 66 was born. Can't wait to see what we find!
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