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Shamrock Court
Sullivan, MO |
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The Shamrock Court features hand-cut, indigenous stone-faced cabins. The rooms appear to be private apartments now. This motor court and the Wagon Wheel Motel below are hold-outs on Route 66. For more, see this website.
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Wagon Wheel Motel
Cuba, MO |
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The Wagon Wheel Motel opened in 1934 as the Wagon Wheel Cabins. It still features nicely-maintained, stone-faced cabins. In 1946, it expanded from 9 to 14 units. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
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Rock Village Court
Springfield, MO |
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The Rock Village Court, now the Springfield Inn, was built in 1947. It is one of several nicely preserved stone-faced motor courts left in Springfield. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
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Melinda Court
Springfield, MO |
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Melinda Court, built in 1947, is another stone-faced beauty. It was orginally known as the Rock Fountain Tourist Court. It was named after the stone fountain that was once at the middle of the complex. It was renamed Melinda Court in 1961. The complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see this website.
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Coral Court [gone]
St. Louis, MO |
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The Coral Court Motel was situated on old Route 66 just outside St. Louis It was an Art Deco (Streamline Moderne) classic with 8 1/2 acres of bungalows. In 1941, the ten original glazed-brick, two-room cabins were built. Five years later, 23 more bungalows were built (adding 46 more rooms). The buildings had round bays and large glass block windows. Private garages for each room kept the identities of its guests private (the place had a steamy reputation in its later years and the "hot-sheetery" was also known as the "No Tell Motel").
In 1975, Interstate 44 was built, greatly hurting local tourism. By the 1980s, the Court's owners were considering selling. Despite the efforts of the Coral Court Preservation Society and the motel being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the motel was sold in 1995 and demolished. Oak Knoll Manor, a subdivision of houses, now occupies the site.
Volunteers did manage to save one of the bungalows and part of the motel's entrance. Part of the bungalow is now on display at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis. Fund-raising efforts are underway to build a permanent display of the entire bungalow unit outside the Museum. For more about the Coral Court, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. Also, check out Shellee Graham's book "Tales Tales from the Coral Court". She is currently working on a documentary about the place.
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Alpine Haus Motel
St. Robert, MO |
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The Alpine Haus Motel has an interesting vertical structure.
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