Near Eureka in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

A "Key" from the past…

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2017

1. A "Key" from the past Marker

Inscription.
This neon sign once helped bring weary travelers in for a bite to eat and some coffee at the Keys Café, formerly located in Franklin County, MO, on Historic Route 66 by the Twin Bridges. The sign has a distinctive "key" shape, playing on the family name of Noble C. and Nellie E. Key, who owned and operated the Café. Their family and descendants donated the Keys Café sign to Route 66 State Park.

The neon restoration is courtesy of Plasti-Lite Co.

Erected by Missouri Route 66 State Park.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list.

Location. 38° 30.349′ N, 90° 35.433′ W. Marker is near Eureka, Missouri, in St. Louis County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Lewis Road and North Outer Road East. Marker is located outside Missouri's Route 66 State Park Visitor Center, near the northeast corner of the building. Access to North Outer Road and the Visitor Center is from exit 266 off Interstate 44 (US Highway 50). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 97 North Outer Road East, Eureka MO 63025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Route to the Past, a Bridge to the Future (within shouting distance of this marker); The Restoration of the Route 66 Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Meramec Greenway - Flat Creek Trail at Kircher Park (approx. 1.3 miles away); Meramec Greenway - Flat Creek Trail at Lions Park (approx. 2.2 miles away); In Honor of all Eureka Residents who Served Their Country (approx. 2.3 miles away); Historic Glencoe (approx. 3.2 miles away); In Honor of Those from this Community (approx. 4.4 miles away); This Memorial Dedicated through the generosity of Captain R. A. Gentz (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eureka.

A "Key" from the past Marker (<i>tall view; marker is mounted at eye-level on pole</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2017

2. A "Key" from the past Marker (tall view; marker is mounted at eye-level on pole)

Keys Cafe Neon Sign image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2017

3. Keys Cafe Neon Sign

The Route 66 website entry
Click for more information.

Route 66 State Park Visitor Center (<i>wide view; marker is located near east end of building</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2017

4. Route 66 State Park Visitor Center (wide view; marker is located near east end of building)

Visitor Center is located in historic building that was formerly the Steins Inn & also the Bridge Head Inn.

Steins Inn Post Card (<i>on display inside visitor center</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2017

5. Steins Inn Post Card (on display inside visitor center)

Bridge Head Inn Post Card (<i>on display inside visitor center</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2017

6. Bridge Head Inn Post Card (on display inside visitor center)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.