Powers Museum Location at the Crossroads of America: Old Route 66 and U. S. Highway 71 in Carthage, Missouri

Powers Museum on Historic Route 66.

The Powers Museum is located at 1617 West Oak Street (Historic Route 66) on the westside of Carthage, Missouri. This section of road also was known as the Jefferson Highway (c.1915-1926). The museum's location was the site of Route 66's Taylor Tourist Park, later known as the Park Motor Court & Cafe.

Route 66 Exhibit Opportunity: The Jasper County Courthouse is the site of a local Route 66 historical display.  It is open weekdays during normal courthouse business hours.  The museum's reference library has books and videos on 66 that may be consulted during your visit. The museum's gift shop always sells 66 postcards, books and related 66 souvenirs. To learn more about U S Highway 66 through Carthage also check this portion of our website.

The museum's neighbor across the street is Municipal Park, built during the mid-1930s through various public works projects of the federal government. Among the park's facilities is a golf course, swimming pool, skating rink, picnic areas, Kiwanis Kiddieland, Carthage Saddle Club Arena and the Jasper County 4-H Fairgrounds. Carl Lewton Stadium in the park was home to the KOM Baseball League in which Mickey Mantle got his start as a player for the Independence (KS) Yankees.

Other historical points of interest on Carthage's westside include the 1906 Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Monunment in historic Park Cemetery (at Baker and Oak) and the first local memorial to the Battle of Carthage, the 1905 monument in Oak Hill Cemetery (south of Oak on Oak Hill Road). Consult Find-a-Grave.com for both Park and Oak Hill cemeteries.  Just west of the museum is the Ruby Jack Trail for hikers. Further west of the museum on old Route 66 is the 66 Drive-in. Here is a great link for a fun look at the drive-in.

To request hard copies of Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau's current visitor's guide or historical guide to Carthage (written by the Powers Museum), visit the Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Or, you can view the historical guide now online at this link.

If you would like to request a Jasper County guide to Civil War, mining or Route 66 sites, visit the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau website for their special brochure.

NOTE: Map below still features McCune-Brooks Hospital at its former site off Garrison & Centennial Avenues. McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital is now located at SW edge of town off Fir Road and is named MERCY McCune-Brooks Hospital.

Note: West Central Ave from 71 Bypass east to Garrison is now signed MO 571. The highway west of the 71 Bypass at Central is now signed MO 171 (and goes into Webb City).

Driving Directions

If driving from north (US 71) or south (US71 or MO 59), take first Carthage exit (signed for Garrison Avenue) and follow Garrison to Oak Street (Memorial Hall & Braum's Ice Cream). Turn west and follow Oak Street to Museum.

If driving from I-44 either west or east, exit at US 71 and follow directions above for approaching from southern direction on US 71.

If driving from US 71 Business from the west, exit at Oak Street and follow  Municipal Park (on your right) until you see museum on left at the easter edge of the park.

If driving from Old Route 66 (now MO 96) from the east, turn south (left) at Garrison Avenue and turn west (right) at Oak Street (between Memorial Hall & Braum's Ice Cream).

If driving west on MO 96 (from Kansas), do not exit onto US 71 Business/Mo 96 near Carthage, but follow road and it will become Oak Street. Drive pass Park, museum is on left.