Keeping the Lights on at the Boots Court Motel

The Streamline Moderne, neon green-accented glow of Carthage’s Boots Court Motel (107 S. Garrison Ave., Carthage, MO) might have gone out for good if not for a determined group of local citizens. When the motel went up for sale in 2021—just one of its numerous changes in ownership—the newly formed nonprofit Boots Court Foundation stepped in to preserve the landmark and restore its 1939 charm. Previously owned by Route 66 enthusiasts and now stewarded by a seven-member board, the foundation successfully turned back the clock on this beloved Carthage motor court.

Motel and visitor center general manager Janna Conklin oversees day-to-day operations and supervises staff, while the foundation board handles big-picture strategy and community collaboration. One of its first orders of business was getting the motel listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation Conklin says reflects its significance not just to Carthage, but to the country. “We are thrilled that the Boots and its rich history are now nationally recognized, documented and included on the official list of the nation’s historic places deemed worthy of preservation,” Conklin says.

Today, all 13 rooms are fully restored, but as recently as late 2022, only five were finished and open, a testament to how hard the foundation has worked. Each room comes with an in-room radio but no TV, just as it was when movie star Clark Gable stayed at the Boots during his travels. The vibe is distinctly nostalgic, which is exactly what keeps people coming back. “Our guests say they love stepping back in time when they stay here,” shares Conklin. “They love slowing down and just being together, and we love that as well.” You will find a touch of modernity, however: Wi-Fi.

Visitors pin their hometowns on a new (as of January 2025) world map in the Boots Court Visitor Center, and so far they’ve seen dots spanning from Venezuela to Japan to the Netherlands. In 2026, the motel plans to host its first-ever Route 66 festival, another opportunity to bring the community together and honor the past while embracing the future.