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BAXTER SPRINGS
Following a restful night at the Baxter Inn 4 Less, 2451 Military Avenue, 316-856-2106, the only motel on Route 66 in Kansas, we met Dean Walker, Kansas Association president Scott Nelson, and Darrel Ray for breakfast. Though it is not one of the old-timey motels that many roadies prefer, it is a nice, clean, comfortable, modern, two-story structure. (One of the best things is that the windows have both shades and curtains, keeping out most of the outside light. I have stayed in rooms with poor-fitting window covers where you really cannot tell the difference when you turn off the lights.
We met at Miranda's, 1101 Military Avenue. The guys hoped that we could help to clear up a misconception. Some of the Route 66 books say that Murphey's Restaurant is located in the former bank building which was robbed by Jesse James' gang. At the time books were written, that was true. That establishment has since moved cater-cornered northeast to 1046 Military, and Miranda's is located at the bank heist site. To make matters more confusing, the building Murphey's now occupies was also a bank. The ladies room is in the vault. Many bus tours are stopping at Murphey's, when they would probably go to Miranda's if they knew about the move.
Not that there's anything wrong with going to Murphey's. It's been in business since 1941, and the Civil War era checks laminated into the tables are worth a look. Miranda's is also interesting, with a copper-colored tin ceiling, Victorian furnishings, and a fireplace. The food was served quickly, in large portions, and was reasonably priced; a good way to start the day.
We were informed of a new highway being built to connect Wichita and Joplin. It will eliminate 1400 feet of Route 66. The Kansas Association is upset about losing more than 1/4 mile of 66, considering they only had 13.2 miles to begin with. Scott told us that the highway has been met with plenty of opposition all along its path, and that it takes a meandering route to avoid environmental concerns. Baxter Springs is only 12 miles from downtown Joplin, but travelers taking the new road will drive twenty-one miles. The locals view the highway as a "faster way for the people of Wichita to spend their money in Branson".
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