A Store Older Than the Road Itself — Route 66 Finds Its Soul in Riverton, Kansas
Riverton, Kansas does not shout for attention the way some Route 66 towns do. There is no movie-famous tow truck parked out front, no Civil War massacre site, no neon-blazing downtown strip. What Riverton offers instead is something rarer and more lasting: authenticity. A century-old general store still slicing hand-crafted deli sandwiches behind its original pressed-tin ceiling. The only surviving Marsh Arch bridge on all 2,448 miles of Route 66, its graceful concrete arc reflected in Brush Creek below. A 20-foot steel sculpture welded together by high school students from salvaged wheel rims, a declaration by the next generation that this small community intends to keep its Mother Road heritage alive.
Positioned squarely between Galena to the east and Baxter Springs to the west, Riverton is the geographic and spiritual midpoint of Kansas’s legendary 13.2-mile Route 66 run — the shortest state stretch on the entire Mother Road, yet one of the most densely packed with history, character, and genuine roadside charm. Travelers who slow down here, who pull into the gravel lot of the Old Riverton Store and step inside, invariably leave with something they did not expect to find: a sense of what Route 66 actually felt like when it was America’s Main Street and not yet a museum.
The store opened in 1925 — a full year before Route 66 was officially commissioned — and has never closed. That single fact says more about Riverton than any guidebook paragraph could.
States: Illinois • Missouri • Kansas • Oklahoma • Texas • New Mexico • Arizona • California
Where Is Riverton on Route 66?
Riverton is located in Cherokee County in the far southeastern corner of Kansas, along the Spring River valley, at approximately 37°05’N, 94°42’W. It is the smallest of the three communities Route 66 passes through in Kansas — Galena lies roughly 4 miles to the east, and Baxter Springs sits approximately 5 miles to the southwest.
The Route 66 alignment runs east to west through Riverton along SE Highway 66, passing the Empire District Electric Company power plant on the south, the Old Riverton Store on the north side, and then continuing west to a roundabout at the US-400 intersection — where the famous FFA Route 66 sculpture stands — before heading toward the Rainbow Bridge and Baxter Springs.
The town sits along Spring River, a clear-running stream that gives the landscape of southeastern Cherokee County its distinctive green, rolling character — a marked contrast to the treeless plains most travelers associate with Kansas. For Route 66 travelers, Riverton is best approached from Galena to the east, following the historic alignment west through the original 1926 corridor rather than using the modern highway bypass.
Riverton’s History: Settlement, Mining, and the Mother Road
Early Settlement and the Cherokee Neutral Lands
The land that became Riverton was once part of the Cherokee Neutral Lands — territory set apart by treaty for the Cherokee Nation and officially closed to white settlement. But the rich farmland and wooded river valleys of southeastern Kansas proved irresistible to settlers moving west after the Civil War. Just south of Riverton, at the confluence of Spring River and Shoal Creek, the early settlement of Lowell took shape in the 1860s, growing into a small community with flour mills, lime kilns, and a school.
The area’s deeper human history stretches back much further. Paleo-Indians inhabited this stretch of the Spring River valley for more than 10,000 years. Spanish explorer Francisco de Coronado passed through the broader region in 1541 in his search for the legendary city of Quivira. French explorers later claimed the territory as part of Louisiana, before it passed to the United States through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.
The Mining Era and the Rise of Riverton
Like its neighbors Galena and Baxter Springs, Riverton’s growth was tied to the extraordinary mineral wealth of southeastern Cherokee County. Lead and zinc deposits discovered in the late 19th century transformed the entire tri-state region — encompassing southeastern Kansas, southwestern Missouri, and northeastern Oklahoma — into one of the most productive mining districts in North America. The chat piles, crushers, and smelters that dominated the landscape shaped the character of these communities for generations.
The Empire District Electric Company established a major facility in Riverton during this era, building a hydroelectric dam on Spring River to power the growing industrial operations in the area. That power plant — built between 1890 and 1910 — still stands across from the Old Riverton Store, making it one of the oldest continuously operating electrical facilities in the United States. It has since converted from hydroelectric to natural gas generation.
Route 66 Arrives: 1926
When Route 66 was officially commissioned on November 11, 1926, it followed the alignment of the old Jefferson Highway through Riverton — a road already paved with concrete, giving the Kansas stretch a head start on much of the rest of the new national highway. The designation placed Riverton squarely on what would become the busiest cross-country travel corridor in American history, transforming the small community’s modest general store into a recognized stop on the Mother Road.
The 1930s brought a surge of westbound travelers through Riverton — many of them Dust Bowl migrants from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, heading for California in search of work and a new life. The Williams’ Store, already well-established by this point, was featured as an official stop on Route 66 map series during the 1930s and 1940s, cementing its reputation as a reliable, welcoming waypoint on the long road west.
The Old Riverton Store: A Century of Continuous Operation
Origins: Leo and Lora Williams, 1925
The Old Riverton Store — variously known over its 100-year history as Williams’ Store, Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, and Nelson’s Old Riverton Store — is the oldest continuously operating store on the entire Route 66 alignment. It opened on March 20, 1925, more than a year before Route 66 was even designated, when Leo Williams and his wife Lora built the current one-story red-brick building on the eastern edge of Riverton following the destruction of their original structure in a 1923 tornado.
Leo had returned from service in World War I and, while working at the Empire District Electric Plant across the street, built the new store with a small apartment in the west half for his family. Lora managed the shop, serving lunches, selling groceries, and — as the Route 66 era began — welcoming the stream of travelers heading west on the Mother Road.
Business prospered after the store was featured on official Route 66 map series in the 1930s and 1940s. Travelers would stop for a cold slice of watermelon, a famous barbecue sandwich, directions, or simply to use the facilities. The store also built a regulation croquet court on the adjacent lot — lit for night games and a focal point of local entertainment — before parking demand eventually claimed the space.
The Eisler Era and the Cars Connection
After Leo Williams died in 1948, his wife Lora continued running the store until the early 1970s. In 1973, Joe and Isabell Eisler of Texas purchased the business. The Eislers renamed it the “Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store” — a name that stuck — and changed almost nothing else about its character or appearance. Their nephew, Scott Nelson, managed the store from the beginning and eventually purchased it outright in 2011, continuing to operate it as a market, deli, and Route 66 souvenir shop.
One of the store’s most remarkable chapters involves Pixar’s animated film Cars. When the studio sent scouts along Route 66 to research characters and settings, they stopped at the Old Riverton Store for a sandwich. There they met Dean Walker, a Riverton local renowned in the community for his extraordinary ability to twist his feet completely backward. Walker’s talent directly inspired Tow Mater’s uncanny ability to drive in reverse — one of the film’s most beloved character traits. The store is also cited in the film’s credits with a special thanks: “Scott Nelson, Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, ‘Home of the Hand-Crafted Sandwiches,’ Riverton, KS.”
The Store Today: What to Expect
The one-story red brick building has changed remarkably little over its century of operation. The glass-enclosed porch, the wooden shelves stacked with goods, the rear deli counter, and the interior pressed-tin ceiling all survive intact — creating an atmosphere that feels genuinely, not artificially, historic. Visitors from across the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, and dozens of other countries pass through each year, drawn by the store’s reputation as one of the most authentic surviving stops on the Mother Road.
The deli counter is the heart of the experience. Hand-crafted sandwiches are made to order from an extensive selection of meats — including bologna, roast beef, turkey, smoked salami, baked ham, and chopped ham — and cheeses including cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss, provolone, and smoked sharp cheddar. The daily deli sandwich special is a must-order. Coke in glass bottles adds to the authentic atmosphere.
The gift and souvenir section carries Route 66 memorabilia, books, postcards, Kansas handicrafts, and a carefully curated selection of gifts — many of them locally made. The general store side offers groceries, produce, and everyday supplies, making the Old Riverton Store genuinely useful to travelers and locals alike.
The store serves as the headquarters of the Route 66 Association of Kansas, with Scott Nelson serving as the association’s president — a fitting arrangement for a building that has embodied the spirit of Kansas Route 66 for a full century.
Visitor essentials: 7109 SE Highway 66, Riverton, KS 66770. Phone: 620-848-3330. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2003. March 20, 2025 marked the store’s 100th anniversary, celebrated with a centennial party featuring live music and a classic car show.
The Rainbow Bridge: The Only Surviving Marsh Arch Bridge on Route 66
Approximately 2.5 miles west of the Old Riverton Store, the Rainbow Bridge — officially the Brush Creek Bridge — spans Brush Creek in one of the most photographed scenes on the entire Kansas Route 66 alignment. This graceful concrete arch structure is the last remaining Marsh Arch bridge on all 2,448 miles of Route 66, making it one of the most significant engineering landmarks on the Mother Road.
History and Construction
The bridge was designed by engineer James B. Marsh, a pioneer of steel and concrete bridge construction whose company held at least two patents for the distinctive arch style. In March 1923, the Maxwell Construction Company won the contract to build the bridge with a bid of $15,937. The Kansas Highway Commission approved the contracts in April 1923, excavation began on April 12, and the bridge was substantially complete by November 27, 1923 — though winter weather halted work before the handrails and approaches were finished. The final concrete slab was laid on May 22, 1924, and the bridge opened to traffic shortly afterward.
When Route 66 was commissioned in 1926, the Rainbow Bridge became part of the official alignment, carrying Mother Road traffic over Brush Creek for nearly four decades. It was bypassed by the modern highway in the 1960s but remained standing — a survivor in a landscape where dozens of similar Marsh Arch bridges across the country were demolished as traffic patterns changed.
Recognition and Restoration
In 1983, the Rainbow Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places — a recognition of its architectural significance and its role in Route 66 history. A restoration project begun in 2005 returned the bridge to its original appearance. Today it remains open to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, allowing visitors to drive or walk across the same concrete span that carried Dust Bowl migrants and mid-century road trippers westward toward their futures.
Photography note: The Rainbow Bridge is one of the most visually striking landmarks on the Kansas Route 66 alignment. The white concrete arches viewed from the creek bank below, or the span reflected in the calm water of Brush Creek, create compositions that reward photographers at any time of day. Early morning and late afternoon light are particularly dramatic. For the complete history and visitor guide, see The Rainbow Bridge on Route 66.
The FFA Route 66 Shield Sculpture: Next-Generation Mother Road Pride
On the west side of Riverton, where Route 66 meets US-400 at a roundabout, stands one of the most distinctive and heartwarming roadside attractions on the Kansas Mother Road: a 20-foot-tall steel Route 66 shield sculpture created entirely by students from Riverton High School’s FFA chapter.
The idea originated with FFA officers who wanted to create something tangible to promote local tourism and community pride. Under the guidance of FFA adviser Jacob Larison, 16 students spent approximately two years planning and constructing the sculpture, completing it in spring 2018. The entire project cost roughly $700 in materials — Cherokee County contributed $300, and the Kansas Department of Transportation donated scrap metal and old hubcaps that became the raw material for the structure.
The result is immediately recognizable: the classic Route 66 shield shape, with “KANSAS” across the top and a giant “66” formed from rust-colored wheel rims and hubcaps welded together into numerals. The sculpture stands near an informational Route 66 kiosk where visitors can learn about the Mother Road, the Boom Towns of Cherokee County, the Baxter Springs Massacre, and Fort Blair before walking through the grass to photograph the sculpture up close.
Location: 6494 US Route 66, Riverton, KS 66770, on the south side of Route 66 just west of the US-400 roundabout. A small parking area is available just behind the sculpture. Free, open at all times. The sculpture is decorated for major holidays.
More Riverton Route 66 Highlights
The 1905 Riverton Dam and Spring River
The Riverton Dam, built in 1905 by the Empire District Electric Company, harnessed the flow of Spring River to generate power for the booming mining operations of southeastern Cherokee County. The dam created Lake Lowell — a 440-acre reservoir protected by a state park that today offers RV campsites, hookups, and recreational opportunities including fishing and hiking. Water spilling over the dam’s concrete spillways creates a picturesque scene just south of the Route 66 alignment, a short detour from the Old Riverton Store.
The Empire District Electric Company plant across the highway from the store — built between 1890 and 1910 — is one of the oldest continuously operating electrical generation facilities in the United States. It has transitioned from its original hydroelectric operation to natural gas, but remains an active facility, a quiet industrial landmark that has literally powered the surrounding community for more than a century.
The Varck Post Office Building (1898)
About 0.4 miles south of Route 66 on SE 70th Street, a two-story building dating to 1898 once served as the Osborn family home, post office, grocery, general mercantile, and animal feed store for the tiny settlement of Varck. In the era before Route 66, this was a critical community hub — the train dropped mail without even stopping. The building was damaged in the Great Flood of 1993 and a new post office was built further north. Since 2018, the restored 1898 building has operated as the Old Riverton Post Bed & Breakfast — a charming accommodation option for travelers who want to sleep literally steps from the Route 66 alignment in a building that predates the Mother Road by nearly three decades.
The Route 66 Alignment Through Riverton: At a Glance
Entering from the East (from Galena): Follow SE Highway 66 west from Galena. Cross Spring River into Riverton. The Empire District Electric Company plant appears on the south side of the road.
The Old Riverton Store: On the north side of SE Highway 66 at approximately the 0.2-mile mark from the eastern edge of Riverton proper. Pull into the gravel parking area. Plan 30–45 minutes minimum.
FFA Sculpture and Kiosk: Continue west on Route 66 to the US-400 roundabout. The sculpture stands on the south side just west of the intersection. Small parking area available.
Rainbow Bridge Turnoff: Continue west from the roundabout approximately 2 miles. The turnoff to the Rainbow Bridge is well-signed on the right (north) side of the road. The bridge is approximately 0.3 miles down the country road.
Continuing to Baxter Springs: From the Rainbow Bridge turnoff, Route 66 curves south toward Baxter Springs, approximately 3 miles ahead.
Practical Information for Your Riverton Route 66 Visit
Getting to Riverton
From Joplin, Missouri (east): Take US-66 southwest approximately 14 miles through Galena to reach Riverton. This is the recommended approach for travelers driving the complete Kansas Mother Road stretch from east to west.
From Baxter Springs (west): Riverton is approximately 5 miles northeast of Baxter Springs along Route 66 — a direct and scenic drive through the Cherokee County countryside.
From Tulsa, Oklahoma (southwest): Take US-169 north through Miami and Commerce, Oklahoma, then follow Route 66 northeast through Baxter Springs to Riverton — approximately 65 miles.
How Long to Spend
A complete Riverton Route 66 visit — Old Riverton Store deli lunch and browse, FFA sculpture photos and kiosk reading, Rainbow Bridge walk, and a detour to the Riverton Dam viewpoint — takes approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Riverton is best experienced as part of the full Kansas Route 66 day, combining it with Galena to the east and Baxter Springs to the west for a complete 13.2-mile Mother Road experience that rewards a full day’s exploration.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Riverton sits in the humid subtropical transition zone of southeastern Cherokee County. Summers (June–August) are warm and humid, with temperatures typically in the 85–95°F range — comfortable for outdoor exploration in the morning hours. Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer the most pleasant conditions and the best light for photography at the Rainbow Bridge. Wildflowers along the Spring River corridor peak in late April and May. Winters are mild by Kansas standards, with occasional light snow and temperatures rarely dropping below the 20s°F. Severe weather risk — thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes — peaks in April and May.
Where to Stay
Riverton’s most atmospheric lodging option is the Old Riverton Post Bed & Breakfast in the restored 1898 Varck post office building — an ideal choice for travelers who want an authentic Route 66 immersion experience. The Mollie Retreat on Route 66 in Galena offers another boutique B&B option just a few miles to the east. For those preferring standard hotel accommodation, Joplin, Missouri — approximately 14 miles northeast — provides a full range of chain hotels at all price points.
Where to Eat in Riverton
The Old Riverton Store deli is the obvious and correct answer. The hand-crafted sandwiches made behind the original deli counter — served in the same pressed-tin-ceilinged space where Leo and Lora Williams fed Route 66 travelers in the 1930s — are among the most authentically “on the road” meals available anywhere on the Mother Road. The daily deli special and a Coke in a glass bottle is the recommended order. For additional dining options, Galena (4 miles east) has Cars on the Route’s café in the restored Kan-O-Tex station, and Baxter Springs (5 miles west) offers several local dining choices along Military Avenue.
Route 66 Centennial 2026: 100 Years of the Mother Road
November 11, 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66. For the Old Riverton Store, the Centennial carries a special resonance: the store will be 101 years old by then, having outlasted the Mother Road’s official designation by more than a decade and now preparing to celebrate the highway’s centennial as one of its longest-surviving institutions. The Route 66 Centennial is drawing travelers from around the world to experience the highway in its anniversary year, making 2026 an especially meaningful time to drive through Riverton and all of Route 66 in Kansas.
Nearby Route 66 Highlights: The Complete Kansas Stretch
Route 66 in Kansas — Complete Guide — The full overview of Kansas’s 13.2-mile Mother Road stretch — from Galena through Riverton to Baxter Springs — the shortest but most concentrated state section on all of Route 66.
The Rainbow Bridge on Route 66 — The complete history, construction story, and visitor guide to the only surviving Marsh Arch bridge on Route 66, located just 2.5 miles west of the Old Riverton Store.
Route 66 in Missouri — Missouri feeds directly into Kansas Route 66 — the Show-Me State’s stretch runs through St. Louis, Springfield, Carthage, and Joplin before crossing into Galena.
Route 66 in Oklahoma — After Baxter Springs, Route 66 enters Oklahoma at Commerce and Miami — continuing southwest through Claremore and Tulsa on its way to the Texas Panhandle.
Route 66 — Complete Guide — The definitive guide to all 2,448 miles of America’s Main Street, from the Begin sign at Adams and Michigan in Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in California.
Route 66 Centennial 2026 — November 11, 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Find the complete calendar of Centennial events and celebrations along the entire Mother Road.
Route 66 Travel Guide — State-by-state travel guides to all eight Route 66 states — plan your complete Mother Road road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica with comprehensive stop-by-stop coverage.
Route 66 State Associations — Connect with the Route 66 Association of Kansas — headquartered at the Old Riverton Store — and the preservation associations of all eight Route 66 states.
