Route 66 Webb City

Driving into Webb City on historic Route 66, I see a red brick building wearing decades of history on its facade. I do some quick research on my smartphone (while my car is parked, of course) and discover that this building has been home to the same business since 1881.

Whoa.

The chorus from the “Circle of Life” plays in my head as I process this profound thought: My first glimpse of Webb City from Route 66 looks virtually the same as it did when the very first travelers on the Mother Road drove through this town in 1926.

That’s so cool.

What is this historic business whose presence has spanned multiple eras? It’s the Webb Corp., a company that designs and manufactures equipment for metal fabrication, and it serves as a fitting symbol of the city as a whole: its roots are based in mining, yet it has found ways to adapt and flourish for more than a century, long after the glory days of mining faded into memories.

About That Mining…

Webb City was named after John Webb, a farmer who discovered a piece of lead ore in his field while he was plowing back in 1873, a discovery which sparked the beginning of lead and zinc mining in the area. Webb City became known as one of the richest places in the world for these resources.

But, like many mining areas in southwest Missouri, these resources were eventually used up, forcing people to scatter, leaving ghost towns in their wake.

But not Webb City, whose progressive leaders understood the need for developing a Plan B, so they worked to bring diverse industries to town. They were successful; in 1920, Webb City’s businesses had increased 250%, which was more than any other city in the US.

With its current population around 12,000, Webb City has grown beyond its original downtown area all the way up to Joplin’s back door.

What’s on the Route in Webb City?

Route 66 Center (112 West Broadway)

It’s rather fitting that this renovated filling station from the height of the Mother Road era is now home to the Route 66 Visitors Center and the Webb City Chamber of Commerce – plus the fantastic Route 66 Lakeside Mural, painted by Webb City’s very own mayor, John Biggs.

This playful 8-by-16 mural depicts a Route 66 scene on a bridge just east of the city. Look closely at the female passenger in the front car. It’s Marilyn Monroe!

The staff at the Route 66 Center is helpful and guides me to some nearby attractions on the Route, so I decide to park my car and take an impromptu walking tour to see them.

Webb City Public Library (101 South Liberty Street)

Opened in 1913, this library was funded in large part by steel tycoon and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Its exterior, made from handsome Carthage stone, is reminiscent of an Ivy League building,  and I feel like my IQ increases 20 points as I cross the threshold.

Inside, sunlight shines through the beautiful stained glass window, casting rays of color across the hushed study room. Ah, this is a writer’s dream.

Webb Home (4 South Liberty Street)

After leaving the library, I see a charming Victorian home; its tower and spindles and other gingerbread features are so intricate that I feel compelled to take a photo of it.

Later on, I learn that this home has an important place in the town’s history, as it belonged to E.T. Webb, the son of the man who founded Webb City, John Webb. The father-son duo also founded the Webb City Bank in 1882, which is still in business today – another example of the town’s long-lasting success.

Beauty Shop (Broadway)

I turn east on Broadway, and spy a sign painted on the second-floor window of this building. Retro block lettering defies its proclamation that a “modern” beauty shop still operates there.

I can just imagine the interior of the shop in its heyday: ladies in high heels and fluffy skirts flipping through magazines as they sit under domed hair dryers, or gossiping while having their nails done.

Route 66 Mural (101 West Daugherty Street)

I walk past my parked car to squeeze in one more attraction on my walking tour: the Route 66 Mural, another work of Mayor John Biggs (this is one political official who is committed to beautifying his town).

The mural is located on the east side of the Bruner’s Pharmacy building.

Can you guess which home is featured in the mural? (Hint: It’s located on Liberty Street).

Off the Route, but Worth the Detour

I get back in my car to cruise through more of Webb City, and to view some sights that are off the Route but definitely worth seeing.

*If you like to cruise, the town hosts a monthly Route 66 Cruise Night on Main Street the second Saturday of the month (April-September).

Route 66 Movie Theater (24 South Main Street)

Compared to modern, cookie cutter chain theaters, retro theaters always seem fancier to me. With its glass block ticket booth and intricate chandeliers, the Route 66 Movie Theater is no exception. Originally the Newland Hotel, this building was converted into a movie theater in 1945. I enjoy bringing my kids to see movies here because I can sneak in a history lesson along with entertainment.

Praying Hands (555 South Main Street, in King Jack Park)

Yes, it is odd to see a pair of 32-foot-tall praying hands springing forth from the ground, yet this roadside curiosity, sculpted by Jack Dawson in 1974, conveys a heartfelt message:

  “Hands at Prayer – World at Peace.”

Webb City Farmers Market (555 South Main Street)

I park my car at one of my very favorite places to visit in Webb City: the Farmers Market (you can read my post about it here). I pick up some local mixed greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes for tonight’s family dinner salad, plus a milk jam brownie for dessert – this one is all mine.
After a busy day exploring Route 66 in Webb City, it’s a well-deserved treat.

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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.