10 Apr Rest Haven Court, Route 66, Springfield, Missouri
The Rest Haven Court opened in 1947, and was one of the first motor courts encountered by westbound travelers on Route 66. What a joy to see the huge neon sign from a few blocks away as we approached with the Ride for the Relay in 2014. We were part of a cross country road rally to raise money for cancer research, as one of just two cars following a pack of motorcycles and tricycles that had made this journey annually for years. Although the sign’s size was impressive, at that time many of the neon tubes were no longer lit, and it looked pretty sad. According to “Route 66 In The Missouri Ozarks” by Joe Sonderman, the beautiful neon sign was designed by original owner Hillary Brightwell and erected in 1953, serving as inspiration for the Munger Moss motel in Lebanon.
However in the last few years, some sign-loving angels have come along and surely spent a great big chunk of change to completely restore this beautiful sign to all it’s glory. I’ve done a fair amount of research and I cannot find out who these angels are, so if you know – please reach out and I’ll include it here. They deserve a lot of credit and appreciation.
For a bit of history, Hillary and Mary Brightwell opened the Rest Haven Motor Court with just four rock cottages that each had two guest rooms. They added ten more rooms in 1952 and again in 1955. In the early ’60s the original four cottages were connected creating three more rooms.
A Phillips 66 service station that stood out front and also served as the motel office was dismantled in 1955 and reassembled out back and used for storage. In the 1960’s, a swimming pool was added in the courtyard between the rooms. The Brightwell’s sold the motel and retired in 1979.
The motel sits on the 1936 Bypass alignment of Route 66.
Love this description from the back of a postcard from the 1950’s:
AAA Rest Haven Court AAA
1/4 Mile E. of 65-66-166
On Highway 66, Springfield, Mo.
Equipped 100% with Telephones – Refrigerated Air-Conditioning – Television – Free Radios – Beauty Rest Mattresses – Steam Heat – Tiled Showers and Combination Tubs – Carpeting – Reasonable Rates – Free Ice & Newspapers. Playground Equipment – Souvenir Shop & Service Station in Connection. 24 Hour Restaurant Adjacent
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