Rockwood Motor Court

With cozy cottages and a neon sign, Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri beckons travelers to relax, unplug, and enjoy its historic roadside hospitality. In 1926, the federal government established Route 66, a 2,448-mile highway stretching from the plains of Illinois to the beaches of California. Springfield, Missouri became a central hub on the route. Local entrepreneur Deverne Ruckman saw the opportunity to provide travelers a comfortable stop in Springfield and opened a roadside motor lodge in 1929 that she affectionately named the “Tourist Camp.” Renamed Rockwood Motor Court in 1948, the roadside respite has brought generations together through the spirit of travel and today stands as the oldest operating motor court on Route 66.

The lovingly renovated Rockwood Motor Court is a testament to those who steward the historical value of the thoroughfare once called the “Main Street of America.” Today, there are six cottages, the family home, Shell filling station, and an original garage remaining at the roadside inn. Adapting the spaces for modern travelers, Rockwood Motor Court offers seven guestrooms, two single unit cottages, and the Shell filling station which has been converted into a studio space. Styled with a celebrated collection of authentic memorabilia and vintage furnishings, Rockwood Motor Court provides a rare opportunity to rediscover the spirit of mid-century Americana.