Downtown Springfield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

John T. Woodruff

First President of the U.S./66 Highway Association

— November 11, 1926 —

John T. Woodruff Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 5, 2021

1. John T. Woodruff Marker

Inscription. On April 30, 1926, a group of businessmen led by Cy Avery of Tulsa and John T. Woodruff of Springfield, sent a telegram from Springfield to the Bureau of Public Roads in Washington, D.C. with the suggestion of "66" as a number for the new Chicago-Los Angeles road. On November 11, 1926, a return telegram confirmed the name. Thus Springfield, Missouri became the official "Birthplace of Route 66."

John T. Woodruff was elected the first president of the U.S. Highway 66 Association. His office was on the 7th floor of this building that he built in 1911.

Erected 2001 by Warren B. Davis and the History Museum of Springfield - Greene County.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 30, 1926.

Location. 37° 12.542′ N, 93° 17.402′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Missouri, in Greene County. It is in Downtown Springfield. It is at the intersection of Park Central East and Jefferson Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Park Central East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 331 Park Central E, Springfield MO 65806, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Colonial Hotel (a few steps from this marker);

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Gillioz Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Netter-Ullman Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Jewell Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); First Store in Greene County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lynching in America / The Lynchings of Horace B. Duncan, Fred Coker and William Allen (about 600 feet away); Battle of Springfield (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Springfield (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Regarding John T. Woodruff. The Woodruff Building was the first "skyscraper" in Springfield, which was ten stories tall. In 2015, that building was remodeled into student housing and was renamed Sky Eleven.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 5, 2021

2. John T. Woodruff Marker

Marker is mounted on the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 854 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.