(StatePoint) Imagine driving down Route 66 during its heyday in the mid-20th century. In the days before online reservations and short-term vacation rentals, the promise of a good night’s sleep after a long day exploring the Mother Road came not in the form of a confirmation email, but in the warm, inviting glow of illuminated neon on the horizon. The neon signs that once lined Route 66 became a roadside attraction in their own right, an intrinsic part of the famed highway’s lore and a defining aesthetic element. And though the decommissioning of the highway led to the closure of the motels and motorcoach inns over which these signs stood, renewed interest in the Mother Road in recent years has led to a new appreciation for the glowing signs that once lit the path for cross-country travelers and new efforts to preserve them for future generations.
One of just three parks of its kind along the entire 2,448-mile stretch of Route 66 — and the only of its kind in the Show Me State — Route 66 Neon Park in Saint Robert, Missouri has entered the pantheon of Mother Road legends since opening in summer 2025. Drawing countless visitors from around the world to marvel at the spectacle of restored neon signs alight with dazzling color just as they were generations ago, this open-air museum stands as a monument to the spirit of wanderlust that has lured cross-country road trippers since Route 66 was commissioned 100 years ago.
“The Route 66 Neon Park has quickly become a point of pride for Saint Robert and a destination for travelers along the Mother Road,” said Saint Robert Mayor James Breckinridge. “We are seeing more visitors stop, spend time in our community, and support our local businesses. With continued improvements underway, we are building something that will serve Saint Robert for years to come.”
Indeed, the park has seen its fair share of improvements. Shortly after opening, storyboards were installed throughout the park, detailing the history of each sign as well as the businesses and the people behind them. In March 2026, the park added a new Route 66 shield installation — made possible by funding from the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission — next to the park’s authentic M60 tank, providing another can’t-miss photo op in a county already brimming with spectacular roadside attractions. The iconic 1923 steel truss bridge in the tiny community of Devils Elbow offers a remarkable view of the Hiawatha Bluffs and Big Piney River below. Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store channels the spirit of mid-century kitsch, serving sweet treats and some cheeky humor. Downtown Waynesville — the Birthplace of the Byway — is home to a variety of historical sites like the 1903 Courthouse Museum, the Old Stagecoach Stop, and the Trail of Tears Memorial at Laughlin Park, in addition to Insta-worthy backdrops like the 8-foot Route 66 Shield and murals by painter Ray Harvey and members of the community.
As you cruise down 33 miles of Route 66 in Pulaski County and celebrate 100 years of America’s most iconic roadway, see how history isn’t just some tall tales passed down through time, but a collection of living experiences that shine a light toward the future. Like those neon signs did generations ago, see how Pulaski County communities glow with a spirit of hospitality and serve as a beacon to discovery.
