SPRINGFIELD, MO – A significant piece of Springfield’s Route 66 heritage has officially been dismantled.

This week, demolition crews have been actively dismantling the former Rancho Court, located on E. Kearney, just west of Glenstone Ave. Designated a nuisance by the City of Springfield in September, the decision cleared the way for its removal.

Originally opened in the 1940s as the Trails End Motor Court, the site featured 12 charming cottage-style cabins equipped with kitchens. Historic postcards from that era also showcase a now-demolished gas station that once stood on the premises. This complex was a haven for travelers journeying along U.S. 66, which initially followed Kearney St. before realignment redirected it to Glenstone and the western stretch of Kearney. Additionally, U.S. 65, which once ran north and south along Glenstone, also intersected nearby.