CRAWFORD COUNTY CRAWFORD COUNTY was founded in 1829 and named after US Senator William H. Crawford of Georgia. The county, which is located in the east-central portion of the state, is comprised of several quaint, but memorable towns and communities.
Route 66 winds through St. Cloud, Bourbon, Cuba, and Fanning. Crawford County is famous for the Viva Cuba’s Mural Project, and Cuba was dubbed the “Route 66 Mural City” by Missouri legislature in 2002. The forty-two-foot tall Route 66 Rocker in Fanning, the Crawford County Historical Society & Museum, the incredible 1930s Wagon Wheel Motel, the tasty Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q restaurant, and Weir on 66 in Cuba are just some of the mustsee sights.
McGinnis Mural, Cuba
Wagon Wheel Motel
14 | Guide to Missouri’s Route 66
Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg
The Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba
Dave Thomas
The Wagon Wheel Cabins, Cafe, and Station was established in the early 1900s after Robert W. and Margaret Martin purchased the land in 1934. After World War II, John and Winifred Mathis purchased the cabins. The iconic Wagon Wheel neon sign was created by John at his kitchen table. Today the Wagon Wheel is owned and operated by Connie Echols and is the oldest continuously operated motel on Route 66.
