New Sculpture to Honor Springfield's Historic Colonial Hotel, Birthplace of Route 66

The 'Ghost of the Colonial Hotel' sculpture will be installed at the former site of the iconic building.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A new sculpture called 'Ghost of the Colonial Hotel' is planned for the site of the former Colonial Hotel in Springfield, Missouri, the building where three men met and sent the telegram that established Springfield as the Birthplace of Route 66. The six-story Colonial Hotel opened in 1907 and served as a gathering place for the community before declining after the arrival of the interstate highway system.

Why it matters

The Colonial Hotel was a landmark in Springfield's history, playing a key role in the founding of the iconic Route 66 highway. The new sculpture will help preserve the memory of this historic building and its significance to the local community and the development of one of America's most famous roads.

The details

The 'Ghost of the Colonial Hotel' sculpture will be installed at the corner of St. Louis and Jefferson, the location where the original Colonial Hotel stood before it was demolished nearly 30 years ago. The hotel opened in 1907 and served as a hub for business meetings, proms, and other community events over the decades. However, the hotel's decline mirrored the pattern seen across Route 66 communities after the interstate system was built, as it drew away tourist traffic and revenue.

  • The Colonial Hotel opened in 1907.
  • The Colonial Hotel was demolished nearly 30 years ago.

The players

Haley Frizzle-Green

Representative of the State Historical Society of Missouri.

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What they’re saying

“It seems like it takes away a lot of that tourist income and notoriety. And that happened a lot along Route 66, not just in Springfield, but just having a lack of revenue and guests staying at the hotel. And I think, you know, it's changing hands also, different management, different owners.”

— Haley Frizzle-Green, Representative of the State Historical Society of Missouri (ky3.com)

The takeaway

The new 'Ghost of the Colonial Hotel' sculpture will serve as a poignant reminder of Springfield's historic role in the founding of Route 66 and the challenges faced by communities along the iconic highway as the interstate system transformed travel patterns across the country.