“Get Your Kicks on Route 66”
PugsleyTonks is happy to welcome back Goosebuster for another guest post.
It was a very proud day when my son graduated from college with his Doctorate of Chiropractic. Admittedly, his mother and I were less elated when he told us that he decided to set up a practice in Cuba. Seriously son? So, you couldn’t you find some place a little closer to home? Thankfully, this “Cuba” is only a 7 hour drive from our Kentucky home. Yes, its Cuba, Missouri located on I-44 West along the Route 66 corridor, about an hour and a half past St. Louis. Now, as I reflect on the small town of Cuba on the historic Route 66 corridor, I can see no better slice of Americana for the Smalltown, USA, category of this blog. So, let’s “get your kicks on Route 66.”
Route 66 – Chicago to Los Angeles 
Americana! 
Sinclair stations are among the most classic
First, I think the younger readers need some history. Before there were major interstates like I-70 and I-75, there were the classic US Highways that wound their way from town to town across America. Route 66 (circa 1926) is the most classic of the original US Highways . This route was the major east-west passage from Chicago to Los Angeles. Few things were more Americana than Route 66 in its day. So much so, that Bobby Troup wrote the classic blues song called, “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” To this day, history abounds on this once great highway.
Refurbished Phillips 66 gas station with Cuba’s trademark outdoor murals 
The oldest motel on Route 66 still features the original neon sign, shining in Cuba since 1947 
smoked deliciousness in Cuba…
The slices of Americana along Route 66 are numerous, but my post is about the area around Cuba, Missouri. The entire town is just a little over 3 square miles with about 3,500 residents. The town was platted in 1857 and named after the island of Cuba (don’t know why). Proudly, this small town has had its share of famous visitors, notably President Harry Truman, Amelia Earhart and Bette Davis. Further, Cuba has many beautiful outdoor murals within the city. If you need a place to stay, you can stay at the Wagon Wheel Motel. This motel is the oldest, continuously operated lodging on Route 66. And, if that’s not enough to get you flocking to the area, here’s the big crowd please…
Enjoyed about 8 years as the World’s Largest Rocking Chair 
My wife and son add a little scale to the chair. If you visit today, the chair was refurbished…and its actually red now
Now, you are seeing the world’s largest rocking chair at the time of my visit. John Bland designed and Joe Medwick fabricated the chair in 2008. Remarkably, the chair stands 42’1” tall and is 20’3” wide. Furthermore, the Guinness World Records certified it as the World’s Largest Rocking Chair on September 4, 2008. But, as always, someone went bigger. The current world’s largest rocking chair is located in Casey, Illinois, completed in August 2015…jerks.
If you visit Cuba, be sure to stop by Missouri Hick BBQ for a meal. This BBQ place will not disappoint. Sorry PT, no information available on liquid refreshments. Once again, thanks to PugsleyTonks for publishing “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” and letting me share a true slice of Americana with his readers. Goosebuster
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keep up the good work on the blog. I love it. Could use some more frequent updates, but i am quite sure that you got better or other things to do like we all do. 🙂