Driving through Sunset Hills, I noticed the “new” old neon sign that was installed at the Holiday Inn at Watson and Lindbergh. That stretch of Watson is part of the historic Route 66. In homage to the lighting of that neon sign, let’s look at some of the history that is still visible along Route 66 in St. Louis!
Route 66 was a historic stretch of highway that ran East to West from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. Route 66 marked the beginning of America’s paved highway system. It created a link between the Midwest and the West, allowing many people to migrate west for different opportunities. It came to represent Americans’ love for their cars, and freedom of the open road. Route 66 became popular among families vacationing and travelling salesmen, creating a new route for their sales calls. Naturally, many motels popped up along Route 66 welcoming weary travelers to stay, and during their stay, bright neon signs beckoned them to play!
Once upon a time in St. Louis County, there was a “motel row” that featured motels, bowling alleys, custard stands and more! The remnants of Route 66 motel row are still here today if you know where to look. Why don’t you get the family in the car and set out to enjoy a little local flavor of Route 66?
Neon Sign at Holiday Inn – corner of Watson and Lindbergh
The neon sign that was recently erected at the Holiday Inn was originally at that physical location, but at that time it was the Park Plaza Court Motel. The St. Louis Park Plaza Court was one in a chain of motels that had a southwestern look. The idea behind the chain was that a travelling salesman could stay at a Park Plaza Court Motel each night at a different stop along his Route 66 sales route. Unfortunately, the motel was demolished. The sign was purchased by an individual but ended up in a barn in rural Missouri. The Sunset Hills Historical Society raised money to purchase and restore the neon sign which was recently reinstalled.
Motel Row
There are still 4 original motels remaining from motel row along Watson. They include the Wayside Motel (7800 Watson); Chippewa Motel (7880 Watson); Duplex Motel (7898 Watson); and La Casa Grande (8208 Watson).
The most infamous motel from motel row was the Coral Courts motel. It had a reputation as the “No Tell Motel.” The attached garages allowed for secrecy and discretion at this motel that rented rooms by the hour. Unfortunately, this famous motel was also demolished. But before demolition, a group of preservationists dismantled one unit brick by brick. The unit is rebuilt and on display at the National Museum of Transportation in Des Peres!
Crestwood Bowl
There is another beautifully restored neon sign along Watson, and that is the original sign at Crestwood Bowl (9822 Watson). The neon sign dates to around 1958 when the Crestwood Bowl opened. It was restored with help from the Route 66 Association of Missouri’s Neon Heritage Restoration Committee.
Spencer’s Grill
The Route 66 bypass took travelers along Kirkwood Rd and here you will find another neon beauty at the still operational Spencer’s Grill. Spencer’s Grill opened in 1947 and the neon sign was installed one year later. The sign has been restored as has the original analog clock.
Donut Drive In and Ted Drewes
After you have enjoyed the St. Louis County Route 66 sites, why not head a little farther into the City along Chippewa where two neon signs are still lighting up the night? Enjoy a delicious donut at the Donut Drive-In (6525 Chippewa). From there you must check out a St. Louis staple – Ted Drewes (6726 Chippewa). Both businesses have been serving delicious treats for over 70 years!
There you have it! You can check out the neon, stay in a historic motel, visit the National Museum of Transportation, bowl a round or two at Crestwood Bowl, enjoy brunch at Spencer’s Grill and top it off with a donut AND custard! Sounds like a day of family fun along historic Route 66.
Agape Construction is a residential Design Build Firm, but it is hard not to appreciate the beauty and history of the commercial architecture in and throughout St. Louis.
