RonnieAdventure #0723 - Route 66 - Baxter Springs to Galena, Kansas

Baxter Springs (population 3,333), Kansas, is a well-known Route 66 stop because of several attractions in and around town. 

The Kansas Route 66 Visitors Center is housed in a restored Phillips 66 gas station on Main Street. This Tudor Revival-style gas station was built in 1930 as an Independent Oil & Gas Company station, but was sold to Phillips 66 Petroleum Company the same year. Gas was sold, and vehicles were serviced at the station through the 1970s. Before the gas station was built, this was the site of the Bischosberger Livery and Feed business

Directly across the street is the Julius Bischosberger Hotel, where travelers could get a warm meal and rest while their horses were fed and cared for at the Bischosberger Livery. In 1900, the original hotel was razed, and the present brick building was constructed the same year. When it opened, the Baxter Springs Post Office was located on the first floor, and the International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge held its meetings upstairs.  

Fort Blair, also known as Fort Baxter, is the site of a 1863 Civil War battle that occurred when 400 Confederate guerrillas, led by William Quantrill, attacked the fort and a nearby wagon train of 100 men under the command of General James Blunt. The battle became known as the Baxter Springs Massacre.

Quantrill and his men approached the area wearing captured Union uniforms, which allowed them to get close to the fort and the wagon train without raising suspicion. The Union troops in the fort were able to successfully repel the attack, but the wagon train was overrun, and almost all of the Union troops were killed, even those who tried to surrender.

Fort Blair was built along the Black Dog Trail, which was the earliest improved road in southeast Kansas. The trail was named for Osage leader Black Dog, whose village in the early 1800s was located near the trail, where there were a number of springs. Parts of the trail alignment were later incorporated into Route 66. The small metal bridge crossing the creek is the last of its kind in Cherokee County, Kansas.

One of the best-known landmarks on historic Route 66 is the Brush Creek Bridge, better known as the "Rainbow Bridge," located near Riverton (population 771). The bridge was constructed in 1923 and is the only remaining Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge on historic Route 66. It was scheduled for demolition in the 1990s, but preservationists saved it. It is now one of the most photographed structures in Kansas. The bridge has been bypassed by the main highway, but travelers are still allowed to cross it via a side road. 

In 2000, musician Brad Paisley performed the song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" at the bridge for the TLC special "Route 66: Main Street America."

Located about a mile east of the bridge is the 20-foot-tall Riverton FFA Route 66 Sign/Sculpture, created by students from the Riverton FFA Chapter. The "66" is made from old, rusty car rims donated by the Kansas Department of Transportation.  

Galena (population 2,761) is named after the lead ore "Galena," which was discovered in the area in 1877. The mineral Galena is the most important ore of lead and an important source of silver. It is insoluble in water, so it is almost non-toxic. However, as lead sulfide, it can be highly toxic. As a result of mining and smelting practices used for years, 115 square miles around the area are now considered to be one of the worst Superfund Sites in the United States. 

Galena was part of the tri-state mining district, and during the mining peak, Galena consisted of two towns, Empire City (north of Sort Creek) and Galena (south of the creek), which were operated by rival mining companies. There were over thirty mining companies, and over 30,000 people lived in the two towns. 

The Galena Mining and Historical Museum is located in the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT or "Katy") Railroad Depot, which has been enlarged twice. It features mining equipment, ore displays, railroad memorabilia from the "Katy" Line, Route 66 history, vintage vehicles, and other historic items.  

A WW II German flag was on display that was flying over The Eagle's Nest in Austria when the 3rd Army captured it shortly after Hitler had escaped. The flag was removed by Sgt. Bayer of Galena, who then replaced it with an American flag, and the German flag was sent home. 

Located in Pappy Litch Park is a small Route 66-themed park in downtown Galena, on the site of Howard "Pappy" Litch's former DX Service Station and Garage. A welcome sign states: "Welcome to Galena. Cars, parks, and nature ensure you get your kicks in Galena." It then goes on to reference various activities in the area. There are also informational signs explaining how historic mining impacted the area and how Galena has grown and changed over the years. An old historic outdoor jail is on display along with a Will Rogers marker describing "The Mother Road" that passed this point.  

Gravy's Place is a popular local bar/restaurant just up the street, easily recognized by its large 8-ball, pool cue, and cube of cue chalk in front of the building. This is considered another quirky photo stop along Route 66.