Kel-Lake Motel

13071 MO Hwy. 96, Carthage, MO
Phone: 417-358-9796

East < GO > West

The Kel-Lake Motel was built in 1954 with eight guest rooms where the newer Route 66 (Hwy. 96) met the 1926 Route 66 (County Road V (Java St.) and across the road from Kellogg Lake. That's a busy intersection today with the Crapduster sculpture on the NE corner, the Best Budget Inn on the SE corner, Kellogg Lake Park on the SW corner and this motel on the NW corner.

The original sign still stands out front. From the mid-50's to the mid-60s it was owned and operated by Earnest and Eula Jackson. Earnest and Juanita Forste bought the motel from Verne Monson in 1967. By 1995 the motel was owned by Wanda Jackson.

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

AAA Kel-Lake Motel
Carthage, Mo.
1/2 Mile East on U. S. 66 & 71 By-Pass
New. Refrigerated Air-conditioning, Steam Heat,
Tile Baths. Free Radios. TV.
Commercial And Family Rates

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Matchbook
Date: Unknown
(Front)
Kel-Lake Motel
Your Best Place To Sleep
Showers
Air Conditioned
Steam Heat
Radio
T.V.'s
By Beautiful Kellogg Lake
1/2 Mi. E. on 66
Carthage Mo.
Juanita Forste, owner

(Back)
Every Comfort Away From Home
Large Clean Rooms
Television
Come Visit Us!
Phone FL 8-****

NOTE: That's pretty typical advertising for a small Mom and Pop Motel postcard in the mid-1950s, A similar postcard mentioned 7' Beds. That's definitely out of the ordinary, both as advertising and as a feature for the motel.

The matchbook cover mentioned the second or third owners name and a phone number.
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Photo(s): 2012