Rail Haven Route 66 Motel

We found an interesting place to stay overnight on our trip home in Springfield, Missouri. 

The Rail Haven Route 66 Motel, now a Best Western, is a little off the beaten path of the interstate, but once was located on a very busy road, Route 66.

The Motel was built in 1937, and much of it still looks the same.  The rooms are all located in the traditional “longhouse” style of older motels.  Inside, the rooms are small, the beds are full size instead of queen or king, and the bathroom fixtures are older, but all is very clean and well kept.

This photo collage was hanging in our room, showing how the facility and grounds looked in 1937 and after an update in 1950.

Elvis stayed here in 1956, according to the marquee.

Vintage autos are parked out front, and the original gas pumps still stand by the front door.

 

If you’re curious about the black can holder showing in most of the above photos, our nephew owns Red Oak Designs in Lexington, KY and features photos of the can holders in various locations on the company Facebook page, and we thought this was the ideal place for some photos for him.