The Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri, has been inducted into Historic Hotels of America®, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This recognition highlights the motel's role in preserving a critical piece of American travel history along Route 66, which is preparing for its centennial anniversary in 2026. The program celebrates hotels that maintain historic integrity, architecture, and ambiance, with Rockwood Motor Court now joining over 300 recognized properties nationwide.
Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, commended the stewardship of owners Phyllis Ferguson and Tim Phillips, noting their careful preservation work ensures future generations can experience this unique destination. The induction criteria require a hotel to be at least 50 years old and have historic significance, often through designation as a National Historic Landmark or listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Rockwood Motor Court, built in 1929, meets these standards as a surviving example of early Route 66 tourist-court architecture.
This recognition carries broader implications for cultural preservation along Route 66, famously dubbed the "Mother Road" by John Steinbeck. The highway symbolizes the rise of automobile travel and American mobility, yet many of its historic sites are being lost. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has actively worked to revitalize Route 66 through grants and advocacy, making Rockwood Motor Court's induction a strategic celebration of enduring connections to this iconic roadway. For more information on the Historic Hotels of America program, visit https://www.historichotels.org.
Architecturally, Rockwood Motor Court represents the early tourist-court style with cottages arranged around a central courtyard. Originally built in 1929, it underwent a significant exterior change in 1948 when wood siding was covered with giraffe-style masonry and sandstone, leading to its current name. A comprehensive restoration in 2019 by Ferguson and Phillips aimed to provide authentic Route 66 lodging, solidifying its status today as the oldest operating motel on the route. The property's detailed history and booking information can be found at https://www.rockwoodcourt.com.
The induction matters because it reinforces efforts to safeguard tangible pieces of America's travel narrative as Route 66 approaches its 100-year milestone. With elements of the highway disappearing annually, destinations like Rockwood Motor Court serve as vital reminders of an era when road trips dominated national consciousness. This recognition not only honors the motel's historical and architectural value but also supports broader preservation initiatives that maintain the cultural essence of Route 66 for future travelers and historians alike.
