Murals Along Historic Route 66

Amelia Earhart mural in Cuba, Missouri

Murals painted on the walls of buildings and houses along Route 66 have become a tradition, and a draw for fans of the Mother Road.

These paintings reflect the local history of cities and towns along the route, and provide an artistic outlet for local artisans to showcase their public artwork. The surface on which they are painted provides additional texture and dimension, whether it be on stone, concrete, brick, tile or wood.

The murals are a popular art form that depicts local scenes, history, people, heroes, events, nostalgia and "getting your kicks on Route 66".

All eight states along Route 66 have murals ... shown on this page are a few highlights.

Illinois

Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum

The museum is a repository for thousands of pieces of historic memorabilia from the glory days of the Mother Road.

This is a great place to learn the history of Route 66 in Illinois, see images of the road's wonderful history, and hear a few great stories about life in America when Route 66 was the most important highway in the nation.

Located at 115 W. Howard Street in Pontiac, Illinois

Missouri

Mural City
Cuba, Missouri

Shown here is a staff photo of the Prosperity Corner mural, in Cuba, Missouri, on Historic Route 66. Cuba was designed the "Route 66 Mural City" by the Missouri Legislature in 2002.

Today, twelve officially commissioned murals have been painted around the town, the result of the Viva Cuba organization. Other murals can also be seen around town. The Cuba Chamber of Commerce offers a well done walking tour brochure.

Murals on the wall in downtown Cuba, Missouri, on Historic Route 66

Murals on the wall at The FourWay restaurant, a former Mobil gas station, on Historic Route 66
Murals on the wall in downtown Cuba, Missouri, on Historic Route 66

Route 66 Mural Park
Joplin, Missouri

Shown here is the mural in downtown Joplin, Missouri at Pearl Brothers Hardware Store. This is only one of many murals painted throughout the downtown area.

The Route 66 Mural Park in Joplin features two nostalgic murals and an oversized 45-record imprint of "Get Your Kicks on Route 66". The upper mural is called "Cruisin’ into Joplin", and showing a vintage Buick arriving in Joplin on Route 66 from the west.

Route 66 Mural Park in downtown Joplin, Missour

The mural at Pearl Brothers Hardware in downtown Joplin, Missouri
Joplin, Missouri mural at Pearl Brothers

The lower mural is called "The American Ribbon", tracing the route of the Mother Road from Chicago to Los Angeles. Jutting out in three dimensions from the mural is a mock 1964 red Chevrolet Corvette. This is a favorite stop for Rouge 66 travelers in Missouri for photo-ops! The mural is located at 619 S. Main Street in Joplin.
Joplin, Missouri, Route 66 Mural ... with the red Corvette