Route 66 Galena

Cornwall. Short Creek. Bonanza.

At one point, each of these was the name for the area now known as Galena, Kansas.

While the town’s current name is a tribute to the type of lead that was discovered here in 1876, Bonanza seems (to me) to be the most fitting name for this mining town that looks like an old Western movie set.

Travelers of historic Route 66 get a close-up look at this colorful old mining town, as it passes through the heart of its downtown on Main Street. I’ve put together a list of attractions on Galena’s stretch of Route 66 below, but first here’s a look at its history.

The Wild History of Bonanza

With 250 mines and a population of around 30,000 people, Galena was bustling at the beginning of the 20th century. Yet it was a rowdy town, where prostitution and gambling ran rampant, especially on “Red Hot Street” (what a subtle name).

In 1926, Route 66 came to Galena, entering the town from the northeast near the Eagle-Picher Smelter, where the area lead ore was processed. In 1935, the stretch of the highway located in front of Eagle-Picher was blocked by United Mine workers who were on strike. The National Guard was called in to patrol this section of the Mother Road, and traffic was temporarily rerouted.

Galena’s ore supply gradually dwindled, as did its population. When Route 66 was later realigned to the south, bypassing the historically-rich downtown, the number of tourists dwindled as well.

Galena was like a ghost town.

But then a team from Disney’s Pixar company came through town and stumbled upon a 1951 International Harvester boom truck whose crane had been used to lift gear from nearby mine shafts. This truck became the inspiration for the character Tow Mater in the 2006 animated movie “Cars.”

The popularity of the movie brought people back to this quiet town in search of the original Tow Mater, whose named was changed to Tow Tater to prevent lawsuits from Disney.

Tourism has helped revive this town; new restaurants and businesses have opened, bringing more jobs and growing the population to over 3,000 residents.    

I, myself, discovered Galena just this year, which I sheepishly admit since this town is only a 10-minute drive from my house. It is now one of my favorite places to visit, and even my kindergartner often asks to visit the “old town.”

Route 66 Attractions in Galena

Front Street Viaduct

Heading west from Missouri, historic Route 66 winds its way past the Eagle-Picher Smelter site (which operated for more than a century) and over a 216-foot viaduct that was built in 1923 to serve the area mining industry. This is the Front Street Viaduct and it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Galena’s Murder Bordello (206 North Main Street)

An ominous site awaits on the other side of the viaduct: a flock of ravens carved into a wooden tree trunk standing guard in front of a stark gray and black building. This is Galena’s Murder Bordello, where the town’s infamous madam (and her darling sons) allegedly killed numerous patrons, burying their bodies in the nearby mine shafts.

Cars on the Route (119 North Main Street)

Just south of the bordello is a restored Kan-O-Tex service station that was built in 1934.

It’s best known for being the home of Tow Tater, who is stationed out front next to a couple of his goofy-looking friends.

It now houses a small diner and a Route 66 gift shop called Cars on the Route. 

Also inside is Melba “the Mouth” Riggs, one of the owners of Cars on the Route and a passionate advocate for tourism in her town. She really does talk a mile a minute, but she’s a wealth of information for anyone traveling the Route.

Historic Buildings on Main Street

From Front Street, Route 66 turns south through Galena on Main Street. Walking around downtown is like walking through a Western-themed amusement park, complete with fiddle music playing over speakers on the street.

Pappy Litch Park (5th and Main Streets)

Named after the owner of a service station that once stood on this site, this park offer a nice place to rest while you’re exploring downtown.

I like to point out one particular sight to my kids when we pass the park…

They always get very quiet after I do so.

Route 66 Mural (Main and 7th Streets)

Installed in 2013, this postcard mural makes a great photo backdrop for Route 66 travelers.

It is composed of porcelain tiles and was designed by Chris Auckerman and Jon White of Images in Tile.

Galena Mining and Mineral Museum (319 West 7th Street)

This museum houses mineral specimens and mining equipment inside an old Missouri-Texas-Kansas Railroad Depot, and provides a closer look at the industry that built the town of Galena. Click here for information on visiting hours.

From the mining museum, Route 66 continues west to Riverton, Kansas. 

Goodbye for now, Galena.

Or should I say…Bonanza?

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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. Click here to visit the Joplin CVB’s Facebook page.

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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.