Ruts Corner / Annex Cafe, Motel

Russell "Ruts" Brawley established Rut's Corner Tourist Camp and Cafe in 1928. After a 1936 fire, a larger tavern and restaurant were constructed. What's left of the Rut's Corner is located on Old Route 66 on the south side of Litchfield.

William Bahr owned and operated the business from 1947 to 1951. He sold it to Joseph Roseman and Estell R. Felts who remodeled it and reopened it as the Annex in 1951 with a gas station, lounge and motel across from the airport runaway. In April, 1952, Eugene A. Kozuk purchased the Felts interest in the business. In 2016 the building on the NW corner of property was signed as Shaw's Club 66 Bar & Grill.

This is a fairly large site, bordered on the east by old 66 and on the west by the newer 4-lane 66 and running from Eilerman Street on the south side of the Belvedere Motel & Cafe to a point somewhere south of the existing former motel building.

At least a few buildings have torn down over the years, most notably the gas station that stood next the cafe and above ground tanks next to the station. In 1953 Texaco station was still standing and being operated by Willis Sturgeon and Thomas Telfer.

In 2016 the Shaw's Bar sign still stood next to the building.

This was the Annex Motel that still stands across the highway from the airport. This side faces the 1926 alignment of 66,

Vintage Advertising Highlights

NOTE: The postcard above shows the motel looking the later 4 lane alignment of 66.

Photo(s): 2016