Boots Court Motel

Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri first opened its doors in 1939, and it’s still welcoming travelers today, making it one of the oldest operating motels on Route 66.

Conceived by Arthur Boots, the motel was built in the sleek Streamline Moderne style—a variant of Art Deco that took inspiration from the aerodynamic designs of the time. Its curving lines and long, horizontal shapes are accented by striking black Carrara glass and green neon, making it an eye-catching piece of architecture right on the Mother Road.

Arthur, along with his wife Ilda, opened Boots Court after being inspired by his brother’s success with Boots Cottage Court in Eldon. The original setup offered four rooms (eventually expanded to eight) and a service station-turned-office. Each room came with its own carport, and the motel boasted a “Radio in Every Room,” all for a pretty premium price of $2.50 a night!

Boots Court wasn’t just for everyday travelers—celebrities like Clark Gable, Mickey Mantle, and Gene Autry stayed here during its heyday, giving it that extra dash of glamour.

As the years went by, ownership of the motel changed hands multiple times, and while the property expanded, parts of it fell into decline. By the early 2000s, only a few rooms were available, and it even operated as low-income housing for a while. In 2011, the Boots Court Motel landed on the Society for Commercial Archaeology’s list of the ten most endangered roadside attractions in America and was also recognized as one of Missouri’s most endangered buildings.

Thankfully, the Boots Court Foundation was formed and stepped in to rescue it in 2021 when the property went up for sale again. Their efforts restored this historic gem and by 2022, Boots Court was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now, Route 66 travelers can once again enjoy a night in one of its 13 fully restored rooms.

Each room has been meticulously furnished to match the 1930s and 40s era when the motel first opened. Expect vintage touches like art deco headboards and chenille bedspreads. While you won’t find a TV (they didn’t hit motels until the mid-1950s), you’ll still have WiFi to keep you connected. And yes, there’s still a “radio in every room,” keeping that original charm alive.