Traveling the Mother Road? Book a stay at the oldest operating motor court on Route 66: Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri.
Built in 1929, this roadside motel has hosted Route 66 travelers for nearly 100 years. Deverne Ruckman operated this popular tourist camp from the start. It originally featured ten guest units, split between single accommodations and duplex cabins and also had a cafe and Shell Oil Filling (Gas) Station.
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Throughout the Great Depression and beyond the motel changed hands, and names, multiple times. It ran as Rockwood Court and Cafe, the Rockwood Tourist Court, Ginny Lee’s Restaurant, Motel & Pub, and Tubby’s Diner over the years. In 1948 it was christened Rockwood Motor Court, a name that has stuck ever since.
The motel was renovated in 2019, keeping its original charm while updating amenities, including WiFi, televisions, and minifridges in the rooms.
The property features original cabins and other structures made from Ozark sandstone and red brick. The sandstone mimics the look of wood grain and it’s said that its distinctive pattern inspired the motel’s name Rockwood.
Each of the cabins has a unique theme that is reminiscent of The Mother Road and local area. Each is decorated with distinctive furnishings, including vintage decor, artwork, linens, and memorabilia. Here are some of the fun theme rooms at Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri:
- Casablanca Cottage features Moroccan decor reminiscent of the 1942 film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
- Fill Er’ Up studio is a converted 1929 Shell Filling Station that is decorated with gas station memorabilia.
- Gettin’ Our Kicks on Route 66 and Gettin’ Your Kicks on Route 66 feature vintage Mother Road memorabilia and decor.
- It’s All in the Movies queen suite pays tribute to the classic films of the 1940s and 50s.
- King of the Road is a groovy 1960s throwback.
- Rockwood Cottage pays homage to the family vacations of the 1940s and 50s.
- The Classic features a classic car theme.
- Camp Rockwood celebrates the motel’s own history.
- White Cliffs of Dover is decorated with military memorabilia as a tribute to the World War II era.
This Route 66 motel also has several outdoor spaces to hang out and meet fellow travelers at, including door-side chairs and tables, a covered patio, and a yard by the old garage. A barbecue grill, fire pit, and lawn chairs are all available for guests to use. Don’t forget to look for the fun license plate mural!
As with any good Route 66 motor court, you can park right outside your door. Pass the original gas station, make a turn at the neon sign, drive over the giant Route 66 shield painted on the asphalt, and park right in front of your room.
If you’re traveling Route 66 in Missouri, look for some other fun nearby roadside attractions, like the Hubcaps on Route 66 Sculpture and Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park. And make room in your road trip itinerary for breakfast or lunch at College Street Cafe, just down the road!
Photos of Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri
