Route 66 has never been a road that stands still. As the Mother Road prepares to celebrate its centennial, Springfield, Missouri, is getting ready to welcome travellers with a bold new landmark — one designed to announce, loud and clear, that you’ve arrived somewhere special.

Just in time for the Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration (30 April–3 May), plans are moving ahead for Queen’s Gate 66, a striking new 20‑foot‑tall monument that will stand along historic Route 66 near the intersection of St. Louis Street and Glenstone Avenue. When completed, it will serve as a literal and symbolic gateway for visitors rolling into Springfield on the Mother Road.

Recently, Springfield City Council unanimously approved a proposal to accept $267,000 in State of Missouri funds to cover street and right‑of‑way improvements around the site. These upgrades will help prepare the area for the installation of the monument and ensure it’s properly integrated into the surrounding infrastructure for the long haul. The funds are part of a larger $1 million allocation already awarded to Visit Springfield to manage the overall project.

Designed by Kansas City‑based Farris Wheel Studios in collaboration with Amie Jacobsen, the illuminated monument features a stylised crown — a nod to Springfield’s long‑held nickname as the “Queen City of the Ozarks.” At night, it’s expected to shine as brightly as the role the city played in shaping Route 66 itself.

Location matters on Route 66, and this one was carefully chosen. The monument will sit near the legendary Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven, a place already steeped in Mother Road history. Rail Haven owner Gordon Elliott helped make the project possible by providing right‑of‑way access and additional parking on adjacent property he owns — a welcome bonus for travellers who want to pull over, snap a few photos, and soak in the moment.

According to Visit Springfield CEO Mark Hecquet, Queen’s Gate 66 is about more than just a photo opportunity.

“About a year and a half ago, we started talking about the visitor experience on Route 66 in Springfield,” Hecquet said. “What that led to is a conversation about creating a real sense of arrival into the city.”

The monument is just one piece of a broader plan to elevate Springfield’s Route 66 experience. Other projects in the works include a new “Birthplace Plaza” marking the location where the first telegram requesting Route 66 was sent, along with Route 66 shield sculptures planned throughout the city — perfect fuel for explorers chasing shields, stories, and stamps in their Route 66 passports.

A public dedication ceremony for Queen’s Gate 66 is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, 1 May, giving Route 66 fans another reason to put Springfield firmly on their centennial travel itinerary.

For those driving the Mother Road in the coming years, this new monument promises to be one of those classic Route 66 moments — the kind where you ease off the accelerator, pull over, grab the camera, and remind yourself why this road still matters nearly a century on.

  With the historic 100th-anniversary milestone of U.S. Route 66 underway, the “National Route 66 Golf Trail – Sticks on 66” has been officially designated as a Centennial-recognized project. This innovative tourism initiative pairs the timeless appeal of golf with the legendary journey of America’s Main Street, inviting travelers to tee of at distinctive, designated courses along the Mother Road corridor. “National Route 66 Golf Trail – Sticks on 66” invites communities along the eight-state Route 66 corridor to integrate golf-tourism into the Centennial celebration by: • Highlighting local golf courses, mini-courses, putting greens, and golf-related events situated near historic Route 66 alignments. 

 Encouraging themed travel packages that link Route 66 heritage stops with golf-friendly amenities, thereby boosting overnight stays, regional visitation, and economic impact. • Integrating interpretive signage, photo opportunities, and digital (mobile app) components that tie each “stick on 66” stop to the broader centennial story of the road and local heritage. “Route 66 has always been about discovery, about open horizons and community connection,” said Bill Thomas, Chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and Commissioner for the U.S. 

Route 66 Centennial Commission. “By officially designating National Route 66 Golf Trail – Sticks on 66, we’re creating a fresh-faced way to celebrate the road’s Centennial — not just by driving it, but by playing it. From tee-to-green to motels and diners, this project brings the spirit of Route 66 into new fairways and new communities.” Gary Sparks, founder of The National Route 66 Golf Trail, said, “It is an honor to be endorsed by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission as one of the projects to be celebrated on Route 66 in 2026. Playing these designated courses will create lasting memories for millions of golfers as they travel this iconic highway.” As an oFicially designated Centennial project, “National Route 66 Golf Trail – Sticks on 66” will be featured on the Centennial's oFicial digital channels, have access to the trademarked Centennial logo for promotional use, and be included in national marketing eForts for the 2026 celebration year. In addition, participating golf courses and communities along the Route 66 corridor are encouraged to coordinate with Ken Busby, the project's administrator, and local tourism oFices to amplify their linkage to the centennial moment. Interested parties can email Ken at culturalczarok@gmail.com. 

The Route 66 Neon Park, located within George M. Reed Roadside Park, is now open! Park hours are from sunrise until midnight.

The Lighting Ceremony took place on Friday, May 9, 2025, featuring the official lighting of eight signs. Storyboards will be installed in the coming weeks, and an additional sign will be added later this summer, with two more "pods" planned for future expansion.

Once left to decay in roadside fields, buried under piles of junk in dusty sheds, or at risk of being dismantled, these beautifully crafted neon signs that once attracted travelers along the Mother Road have been given a new lease on life. Each sign has been meticulously restored to its mid-century modern glory and donated to the City of Saint Robert. Now revitalized, these vintage signs are proudly displayed at George M. Reed Roadside Park, located along Historic Route 66, just west of the Route 66/Highway Z/Missouri Avenue junction.

The restored signs illuminate the evening sky above lighted pathways, allowing visitors to appreciate them up close. Lighted storyboards provide the history of each sign. Plan your visit today to experience the Route 66 Neon Park both during the day and at night—the experiences are completely different!