Route 66 Carterville
I love finding something in the area that I never knew existed.
Especially when it’s an entire town.
This past winter, my daughter had a basketball tournament in Carterville. Where in the world is Carterville? I wondered, picturing us having to stock up the van with food, drinks, and blankets, and leaving at the crack of dawn to travel hours across country roads to get to this distant town by tip-off time.
But when I googled directions to the tournament, I found out that Carterville is actually next to Webb City, which is next to Joplin – making Carterville practically a suburb of our city!
How did I not know this?
As we drove into Carterville on that frigid winter morning, we were greeted by the site of large, graceful homes, about a century old. Curious about the town’s history, I did some research.
Carterville was established in 1875 and named after one of its founders, James Carter. Its population swelled in the early 1900s, due to the success of the lead and zinc mining industry in the area. But by 1920, the mining boom was over and Carterville’s population began to dwindle.
But a little project came to town a few years later, breathing life back into Carterville. This project was the construction of Route 66, which cut through the heart of town on Main Street. Several filling stations popped up along the highway, offering travelers from all over the country a reason to stop in this tiny town.
Over time people stopped using the Mother Road in favor of the more-efficient (but definitely less interesting) interstate roads. This meant that few people had reason to venture to sleepy Carterville.
Today, even though the proud brick buildings downtown are mostly empty, there’s one business that continues to beckon Route 66 sojourners: SuperTam on 66.
This quirky attraction is part museum and part ice cream parlor, and visitors from around the world (yes, world!) stop here to see the wide collection of Superman memorabilia, and to savor a scoop of Superman ice cream (it’s an actual flavor).
Locals, like us, like to bring the whole family here for a unique experience. The girls and I went there this summer to enjoy some ice cream and to view the superhero items, from lunch boxes to record players. You can read about our experience here.
SuperTam brings business to downtown Carterville when its doors are open, from March through December. If you are traveling Route 66, be sure to stop here, stretch your legs, and order some refreshing ice cream.
If you live near Joplin, definitely check it out.
After all, it’s practically in your backyard.
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This article was commissioned by the Joplin CVB, however the opinions expressed are purely my own. The purpose of Joplin MO Life is to highlight all the best that our area has to offer, and when an article is written about a restaurant, business, attraction, or event, it is because I have had an enjoyable experience and want to share it with others.
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Living Life to The Fullest!
I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.
