The Wagon Wheel’s and Route 66’s history have intersected since the 1930s. During the 75th Anniversary Celebration in August, many vintage autos came by to support the iconic motel.
Cuba, Missouri: On August 20-21, the Wagon Wheel Motel celebrated its 75th Anniversary of serving guests on Route 66. Many friends, guests, and family of Connie Echols, who bought the motel in 2009, came by to join in the Bonnie and Clyde-themed weekend. that highlighted the motel’s restoriation. The old cafe building, gas station, and cottages haven’t looked so good for a long time. Leo Friesenhan, the designer and builder, would be proud to see his work today.
The unique “guestbook” for the weekend was the wall of the outdoor pavilion. Here a couple of “gangsters” sign in.
Bonnie and Clyde dropped by for the event.
The Cuba Free Press chronicled the two-day event in an article.
The Cuba Free Press chronicled the celebration with an article.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the gathering of some of the workers from the Wagon Wheel Cafe in the 30s,40s, and 50s.
The ladies that worked at the Wagon Wheel Cafe helped create its history. Marie Davis stopped by to view her dad’s legacy of craftsmanship.
Sue Slowensky Rathgeb’s parents Joe and Clara ran the Wagon Wheel Motel and gas station in the early days.
The ladies who gathered at the celebration recalled their days at the cafe. Joe Sonderman collection
The Wagon Wheel Cafe building existed before the small garage that would come later.
The Wagon Wheel Cafe is no more. However, Connie Echols restored the motel cottages and the garage and cafe buildings from 2009-2011. The Original Wagon Wheel Motel on Route 66 is now ready for more guests and new memories as it moves into its next decade serving travelers. You can find it on Facebook and Twitter, and in the memories of some very special ladies.
Many brought their classic cars and trucks to the Wagon Wheel Motel.
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The Route 66 Association of Missouri chose one of our photos for the cover.
Wilma Jean Grayson Becker sent this note to the Wagon Wheel after the event.
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Read “Two Sisters Preserve Cuba, Missouri History”
Read a more complete history of The Wagon Wheel Motel on Route 66 by Riva Echols, available on Amazon or in Connie’s Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel Motel.
Read this previous article in the Cuba Free Press about the Wagon Wheel Cafe in the 40s and 50s and its move to the interstate in the mid 50s when it became the Wagon Wheel Restaurant.
View Route 66 editor Ron Warnick’s video of Christmas Eve at the Wagon Wheel Motel and his account of the stay.
I’ve lived in this area for some time and I have to admit that the restoration and cleanliness is a definite improvement to Cuba. Great Job Connie and all who helped it happened.
A friendly neighbor!
Cuba had a lot of improvements in the last few years. It’s an ongoing project. Thanks for reading the blog.