Lebanon in Laclede County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Camp Joy

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 25, 2021

1. Camp Joy Marker

Inscription. Camp Joy on Route 66 was started in 1927 by Charles and Lida Spears with the help of their son Emis and his wife Lois. Leaving Nebraska in 1927 the Speares traveled Route 66 from Arizona eastward looking for a good place to establish a tourist camp. Counting out-of-state cars at various points along the way they finally chose Lebanon. Camp Joy began as a tent camp, with fees set at 50 cents per night. Tents were soon replaced by 10' x 42' frame cabins, furnished with a double bed, wall-mounted folding table, 2 straight-back chairs, kerosene cook stove, and a wood-burning pot-bellied stove for heat. These early cabins cost $1.00 to $1.50 per night. Arranged in a park-like setting, the cabins surrounded a central bathhouse, store, and service station. Over the years cabins were modernized, with parking garages adjoining some. When vehicles outgrew these garages, they too were remodeled, providing extra lodging units. After World War II, during the golden years of travel on Route 66, Camp Joy was renamed "Joy Motel." In 2019, the last existing cabin was donated by Lee Sing to the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society, which

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restored it and, with the help of the City of Lebanon, moved it to Boswell Park.

Erected 2019 by signage donated by the Fishel family.

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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 37° 40.15′ N, 92° 39.967′ W. Marker is in Lebanon, Missouri, in Laclede County. It is on West Elm Street (Business Interstate 44) west of Kent Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located at Boswell Park, near the Route 66 murals. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 679 W Elm St, Lebanon MO 65536, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Missouri. It is also 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

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 25, 2021

2. Camp Joy Marker

Marker is located at Boswell Park, near the Route 66 murals (seen in background).

South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Laclede County (within shouting distance of this marker); Nelson Family Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Lebanon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ralph E. Burley House (approx. ¾ mile away); “Stormin’ Norman Pipeline” (approx. 0.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Eleanor Briggans Ford 1920-1991 (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lebanon.

Also see . . . Lebanon/Laclede County Route 66 Society. Website for the organization; contains news, recommended historical sites, etc. Lebanon is home to the Missouri Route 66 Museum. (Submitted on April 26, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,104 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.