Marshfield To Host Route 66 Open House

Visitors will have a chance to get a first look inside Marshfield's new Route 66 tour stop during a special open house on Sunday, July 5.

The event will be held at the Little Gas Station, located at 360 W Hubble Dr, Marshfield near the roundabout. While work continues on the interior, organizers say the building has reached the point where they are excited to welcome the public inside.

Lyndall Fraker, a member of the Webster County Celebrations Committee and Missouri's statewide Route 66 Centennial Commission, said the open house is another milestone in preparing for the highway's 100th anniversary.

"We're very proud of our tour stop," Fraker said. "We wanted people to have an opportunity to come in, look around, and see what's been accomplished so far."

The building has already become a popular photo stop thanks to its vintage appearance and the large interactive Route 66 sign installed outside.

The sign was made possible through grant funding tied to Missouri's Route 66 Centennial celebration. Originally, one interactive sign was provided for each Route 66 county in Missouri, giving travelers a unique place to stop and take photos as they explore the Mother Road.

Marshfield's sign proudly highlights one of the community's best-known claims to fame: being the highest elevation on Route 66 east of the Rocky Mountains.

Each community along the highway has its own custom-designed sign reflecting local history or attractions. Fraker said many travelers are making it a goal to visit each stop as they travel the route.

The open house also fits nicely into Marshfield's busy Independence Day weekend. Community events are scheduled throughout July 3, 4, and 5, giving visitors another reason to spend time exploring the city rather than simply driving past on Interstate 44.

Fraker hopes attractions like the tour stop will encourage travelers to exit the interstate, discover Marshfield's history, visit local businesses, and spend more time in the community.

"We want people to come through town," he said. "That's what this is all about."

Visitors can follow updates on the Webster County Celebrations Committee Facebook page or the statewide Celebrate Missouri Route 66 Facebook page, where information about centennial events across Missouri is regularly posted.