The Coca-Cola Mural in Galena, Kansas is a new work of art based on vintage designs. The 16 by 60 foot mural was completed by Mythiq Art & Mural from Joplin, Missouri and sponsored by the soda company in 2019. It can be found on the Schwartz Building on the corner of Route 66 and Main Street. The bright green and red painting says “Refresh Yourself” and “Drink Coca-Cola – Delicious and Refreshing” and includes a black and white Route 66 shield. Ironically it was painted over an old Pepsi sign.
Across the street from the Galena Coca-Cola mural you can find a rival Pepsi mural that was painted sometime after. This mural features the soda company’s red and blue logo, a depiction of a vintage-style delivery truck, and a Kansas 66 shield.
Cars on the Route in Galena, Kansas is a fun stop on Old US Highway 66. The old Kan-O-Tex service station at the north end of Main Street in Galena, Kansas was restored by 4 women from Galena: Betty Courtney, Melba Rigg, Renee Charles and Judy Courtney. They helped lead the rebirth of Galena's stretch of Historic Route 66. The dubbed the gas station "Four Women on the Route" and operated it as as a tourist attraction for several years. .
Take advantage of a perfect Kansas photo op with a picture in front of the Greetings from Galena Mural! Designed by Chris Auckerman and Jon White, this large-scale mural depicts some of the most iconic stops along the Kansas alignment of Route 66.
While this piece of local infrastructure is typically called a Marsh Arch Bridge, it’s become more commonly known as the Rainbow Bridge. Built in 1923, this historic bridge was a part of the highway until 1960. Today, it’s the only remaining arch bridge of this kind on the Mother Road.
Tip: Travelers can still drive over this iconic bridge! However, traffic is limited to one-way westward traffic only. Don’t worry if you’re an east-bound traveler though. It’s easy to bypass the bridge and loop back around.
Built in 1925, Nelson’s Old Riverton Store is a must-stop for Route 66 travelers. This historic shop opened in the 1920s and has been in continuous operation ever since. Today, you won’t find gas here but you can pick up deli sandwiches, farm stand produce, local goods and retro candy.
Located at 520 South Main Street in Galena, Kansas in a circa-1939 Texaco service station. It offers Route 66 curios, artwork for the Gearhead and a place to gather to share stories.
Luigi's Pit Stop is located at 205 East Front Street in Galena. It is home to a number of the "Cars" movie replicas – from the tractor tippin’ to the sheriff looking over everything (see photo of the sheriff's car below). Nearby is the well-known "ghost bike memorial" and the 19-foot tall miner named Frecs who overlooks the Galena Route 66 viaduct.
In November of 2021, the Association unveiled a replica of Montgomery “Lightning” McQueen from the Pixar animated movie “Cars”. Lightning is painted a bright red, and features racing tires and similar decals as the movie character. It has the signature blue eyes in the windshield and gleaming smile on the bumper. The new addition marks the eighth character from the movie “Cars” in the city of Galena
Located at 319 W 7th in Galena is the old M-K-T Katy Railroad Depot housing the Galena Mining & Historical Museum. Phone 620.783.2192 for current opening days and hours.
At first glance, the Museum is small, occupying the railroad depot that was moved from another location on Route 66 in Galena.
But there is a much larger museum building behind the depot. Features unique to the Galena Museum are a large display of mineral specimens, mining equipment and a model of the Grand Central Mine which was located just east of Galena in Central City, Missouri.
Also featured is a collection of oil paintings titled "Abandoned Mine Scenes" by local artist Carol Bliss-Riley.
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