American Way Modern Courts

In an early 1947 for sale ad ran by C. B. Black in the Springfield News-Leader newspaper, the American Way Tourist Court was described as having 11 cabins, a trailer parking, modern, filling station, living quarters and plenty of highway frontage. The ad called it a well established, good paying business and suggested contacting C. B. Black, who was apparently the owner at the time.

The trailer parking was behind the cabins. In the 1960s the property was converted to long term rentals.

The dark colored building, just off-center in this photo, is a modern structure that is standing about where the long gone gas station was.

The old road continues west beyond to where curves to become the south frontage road for I-44, turn around there and back track to the stoplight then turn north, cross the freeway and head west on the north frontage road.

According to a listing, dated 1993, in the Missouri State Parks, Route 66 PI Survey this cabin with the small gables over the doors may be the only original two unit cabin. It sits on the west side of the property near the road.

Here's another of the cabins that is still standing. This might be been two small cabins that were later connected to make more or larger units.

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

American Way Camp, St. James, Mo.
(No descriptive text on back)

(Front)
THE AMERICAN WAY MOTOR COURT
St. James, Mo. Located on the west side of town on U.S. Highway 66

(Back)

THE AMERICAN WAY MOTOR COURT
Modern, heated cottages. Cool in summer.
City water. Catering to travelers wanting clean, respectable accommodations at reasonable rates.
Open all year. Phone and mail service.
Phone 246. St. James, Mo.

We stopped here Had a nice visit.

NOTE: A hand written note on the second postcard indicates that the rate for 2 people was $2.50. I've seen cards with this image and text postmarked 1941.

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Photo(s): 2023