Old Route 66 departs from the Interstate as it enters Cuba, Missouri. As you roll into town westbound, you see one of the Mother Road’s classic motels, still in operation: the Wagon Wheel Motel.
Actually, the motel would be easy to miss. The building itself is set back from the road, and looks more like a nice old home than a motor court. Also, the great old neon sign faces eastbound traffic.
As I drove by, I was surprised to find the old neon tubes lit up in the middle of the day.
Downtown Cuba plays up its Route 66 connection. There’s a flashing light at the center of town…
… and a few businesses, but nothing that lured me away from the road that awaited.
Jane Reed of Cuba, MO provided these updated pictures of attractions around Cuba:
This photo shows Connie’s Shoppe and the Motel Office.www.wagonwheel66cuba.com
The cottages are to the rear of the office.
This is the largest room although there is a room with a kitchenette. Others are smaller, and all are decorated differently.
This a restored 1931 Phillips 66 Station with murals on the garage bays. It is at the intersection of Rt. 66 and Franklin. All the murals of Cuba are visible at www.cubamomurals.com.
This the A.J. Barnett/Model T mural. It is on Buchanan and Route 66.
The rocker was erected in 2008 so earlier guidebooks may not mention it. There is also a Route 66 mural on the side of the building. The General Store has a lot of Route 66 memorabilia for sale.www.fanning66outpost.com
This is the Crawford County History Museum, located two blocks off Route 66 in Cuba. The Veterans Memorial sits in front of the museum.www.crawfordmomuseum.com
Note: This trip was first published in 2008.
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