#57 Boots Motel in Carthage, MO

At the Crossroads of Routes 66 and 71

This fine motor court was built in 1939 by Arthur Boots. He would be thrilled to know that it was saved from demolition a few years ago, by 2 sisters, with a passion for retro motels! 

 A Stop on Route 66

There used to be so many of these wonderful motels and courts along the Mother Road. This one first opened with 8 rooms, then added 5 more with a modern annex in 1948.   

The Office

Don and I arrived at The Boots on a chilly October afternoon.  It was the 21st night of our 22-day road trip. We were tired and our brains were nearly fried, trying to process all we'd learned in the past weeks.

Inside

But once we stepped inside the office, (which had been a gas station once) our moods were quickly lifted.  We met our host Debye, who couldn't have been more pleasant and chatty. She shared about the motel history and the Carthage area and she was also eager to ask questions about our travels.  I was pretty amused as I peeked around the office, at the red door with glass knob and the vintage TV, acting as a table for travel brochures.  A case of pop was propped up on the floor.  The funny little office made me eager to see our room.

The Kitty and Annex

Debye gave us a tour of the motel, starting with the Annex. That's where we met the wonderful cat, Clark Gable. Debye told us he had been recently adopted and was named for the actor who stayed at The Boots a couple times in the 1940's.  Gable at a motor court?  It was while he was serving in WWII.  

Even though Don and I were excited about staying in one of the original  8 rooms, we still wanted to see an annex room.  These were more spacious, with beautiful wood floors.

Room with a Carport

We were pretty giddy with the idea of our 1939 room with attached carport.  The door to our room was inside the carport, so it took about 3 steps from car to room! And that was a real treat for weary travelers on night #21!

Special Room

Our room was special, not just because it was the only original room that had been renovated. (The sisters started work with the annex first) But this very room is where Clark Gable slept years ago.  I've slept in historic hotels that brag about the famous actors and presidents who have been guests.  But never before have I stayed at a motel with this claim.  Since Mr. Boot's grandson was at the grand re-opening of this motel a few years ago, I'm pretty sure the stories have been passed down correctly.

Extra Perks!

Not only did we have a bright yellow Chenille bedspread to make things feel authentic.  But we had a cozy alcove with a built in desk, holding a retro radio, which was already playing a station with old time music!  And the bathroom just amused me with the black and white tile and a little window for letting out a little shower steam.  Black and white monogrammed towels were a treat, as well.

Thanks to Debye!

Not only did our host offer to take our picture with the neon sign, but she brought something warm and something cold to our room.  

Cold?

When called for reservations earlier, Debye had been concerned that they wouldn't have heat installed in the newly renovated room.  But she also understood my silly swooning over Clark Gable and my insistence that we have his room! 

Since temps were dropping, Debye provided us with a space heater, as well as a bucket of ice for drinks.  Our room was toasty, while we sipped a celebratory cocktail and listened to music from the '40's and '50's.  Then we had quite a Saturday night, down the road at "Sirloin Stampede" for dinner.  The place was hopping with locals for the big buffet.  We got pretty stuffed, which made us eager to turn in early that night.

What's Notable?

The wonderful Art Deco, streamlined structure was a first for us.  I loved the rounded corners and flat roof and all the white stucco with black trim!  And I think this was our first motel with a carport! 

But what I'll remember most, was the fun of staying in the room where Clark Gable slept.  And... I'll remember the cat, with all his kitty charisma.  I'm just going to go ahead and believe there's more than a name connection there!