Route 66 Mural Park

Located at the corner of 7th and Main Streets, on the south side of the Pearl Brothers Hardware building, Route 66 Mural Park in Joplin, Missouri, is a popular photo op and colorful tribute to Route 66 and the town’s place in its history.

The park first opened in 2013 with the unveiling of two large tiled murals, both celebrating Joplin’s connection to Route 66. Proposed by Paul Whitehill, designed by artists Chris Auckerman and Jon White, and produced by Images In Tile USA, these murals transformed a downtown wall into a tribute to America’s most iconic highway. In 2025, the site expanded with the addition of a third mural, spotlighting Route 66 landmarks across the Tri-State region of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Cruisin’ into Joplin

This original mural captures the essence of a road trip on Route 66. A classic car drives eastward from a desert scene, past a “Welcome to Joplin” sign, with the Gateway Arch of St. Louis rising in the distance, showcasing the city’s spot between the open West and the historic Midwest.

The American Ribbon

Just below, The American Ribbon stretches across the wall as a detailed map of Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. Route shields mark key stops along the way, and a full-size red 1963 Chevrolet Corvette bursts out from the wall, making this an irresistible stop for interactive photos.

Route 66 Tri-State Corridor

Unveiled in 2025 and painted by acclaimed Carthage artist Andy Thomas, Route 66 Tri-State Corridor brings together 25 historic and cultural landmarks from Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The mural highlights the area’s mining history and rich Route 66 heritage with depictions of everything from classic motels and theaters to local legends and historical events.

Landmarks featured in the mural include:

• Jasper County Courthouse
• Boots Motel
• 66 Drive-In Theatre
• Bonnie and Clyde
• Grand Falls
• Supertam on 66
• Praying Hands
• Mining Park
• Dale’s Ole 66 Barber Shop
• Fox Theater
• Newman’s Building/City Hall, Joplin Visitor’s Center
• Route 66 Mural Park
• MO/KS Yellow Bricks
• Front Street Viaduct
• Kan-O-Tex Service Station/Cars on the Route and Texaco Station/Gearhead Curios
• Old Riverton Store
• Marsh (Rainbow) Bridge
• Independent Oil and Gas Service Station/Baxter Springs Visitors Center
• Commerce Mickey Mantle Tributes
• Dairy King
• Waylan’s Hamburgers the Ku-Ku
• Coleman Theater
• Marathon Oil Service Station
• Tribute to the Native Nations
• The Grapes of Wrath

Together, these three murals tell the story of Route 66 through the lens of the Tri-State region, blending art, history, and Americana into one unforgettable stop on the road.