Part of a 2010 series of Cuba, MO attractions to see in conjunction with the murals...Connie's Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel Motel also serves as the motel office.

Connie’s Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel Motel also serves as the motel office.

At one time, the roadside mom and pop motels along Route 66 were the place to stay while traveling from Chicago to California. Today, many of them have closed and been torn down.

The Wagon Wheel Cafe and Motel have seen a lot of history pass by on Route 66. Today, Connie's Shoppe occupies the Cafe building.

The Wagon Wheel Cafe and Motel have seen a lot of history pass by on Route 66. Today, Connie's Shoppe occupies the Cafe building.

However, the story for Cuba, MO’s Wagon Wheel Motel, is different. The 1930s Wagon Wheel Cabins, built by Robert Martin, has been continuously operating through a variety of owners.

The motel buildings look much the same on the outside, but there are some significant updates inside.

The motel buildings look much the same on the outside, but there are some significant updates inside.

In the 1940s, owners John and Winifred Mathis purchased the Cabins and renamed the motel the Wagon Wheel Motel. Mathis also sketched out the famous Wagon Wheel neon sign in 1947 when it was added to attract the east bound traffic.

The Wagon Wheel Motel sign still lights the night.

The Wagon Wheel Motel sign, erected in 1947, still lights the night.

Pauline and Wayne Roberts bought the motel in 1963. Later, when Wayne died of cancer in 1980, Pauline ran it by herself until she married Harold Armstrong in 1988. In 2003, the motel was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

For years Pauline and Harold Armstrong, aided by employee Roy Mudd, operated the motel. Later, the Armstrongs died and the family put the motel up for sale.

In the fall of 2009, present proprietor Connie Echols purchased the motel, which was due for a facelift and update.  First, she restored the Wagon Wheel Cafe building  and gas station to their original foot print. She made the Cafe building Connie’s Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel. She also uses the building as the motel office.

The cafe building is now the Wagon Wheel office and Connie's Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel.

The cafe building is now the Wagon Wheel office and Connie's Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel.

Then she commenced a restoration of the old motel units, which definitely needed a facelift. In mid-June Echols will be debuting some of her new rooms. The info below comes from a Wagon Wheel news release.

Beginning mid-June, Connie Echols, the owner of the iconic Wagon Wheel Motel, writes a new chapter in Route 66 history with the debut of 12 restored rooms in the 1930s Historic Landmark motel.

When Echols purchased the Wagon Wheel in the fall of 2009, the motel was in need of a facelift. This winter and spring, construction crews tore down, built up, and made the old new again.

The Ozark sandstone Tudor-style rooms have been gutted, updated, and restored until they are better than ever. New plumbing, heating and cooling systems, bathrooms, and bedding are just some of the upgrades in the historic motel. Flat screen TVs have been added to the rooms, and WiFi is free throughout the property.

Before starting on the motel, Echols, restored the original Wagon Wheel Café building in the front of the motel as the motel office and Connie’s Shoppe, which houses purses and jewelry, Wagon Wheel memorabilia, and much more. The small station building is next door.

Echols added a deck behind Connie’s Shoppe and the old station building for guests to use while they are staying at the Wagon Wheel.

Echols hopes that people in Cuba and the local area will think of the Wagon Wheel when they host reunions, weddings, and other family events in Cuba that require guests to stay in local motels.  “I would like to see our local people utilize the Historic Wagon Wheel Motel as well as travelers,” remarked Echols.

“I would also like the new Wagon Wheel to be a destination for car clubs and other groups that are looking for an authentic Route 66 experience. It is part of our country’s history that people traveled Route 66 to the small mom and pop motels along the road. I hope they can find that experience but in a more comfortable, updated way at the Wagon Wheel,” stated Echols.

Another of the updates includes the Jacuzzi room with both a Jacuzzi tub and a shower. Another unit is a suite with a kitchenette and two Queen beds. The motel will also rent single and double rooms. Rates will run from $50-$100, depending on room size and amenities.

“We have worked with the unique historic architecture, used modern upgrades, thrown in a little eclectic decorating, and have created a new Route 66 experience that tips its hat to history,” Echols commented.

The Wagon Wheel is located at 901 E. Washington (Old Route 66) in Cuba, MO. Call for details and reservations at 573-885-3411. Visit them on Facebook at the Historic Wagon Wheel Motel Featuring Connie’s Shoppe.

The deck on at the back of the old gas station and Connie's Shoppe provides a place for Wagon Wheel guests to relax.

The deck on at the back of the old gas station and Connie's Shoppe provides a place for Wagon Wheel guests to relax.

One of the updated Wagon Wheel rooms features a Jacuzzi tub.

One of the updated Wagon Wheel rooms features a Jacuzzi tub.

When visiting Cuba, MO Route 66 Mural City’s 12 outdoor murals, the World’s Greatest Rocking Chair, and other area attractions, see Cuba’s piece of Route 66 history in the form of Connie’s Shoppe and the Wagon Wheel Motel.

As with any attraction, Viva Cuba suggests that you call the attraction to make sure that it fits your schedule and needs.

See “Route 66 World’s Largest Rocking Chair celebrates second birthday…