Some Favorite Missouri Route 66 Linen Postcards

This Diamonds postcard is Skinner & Kennedy A-2301 printed by MWM. The Diamonds opened in 1927 just after the commissioning of US 66 itself. Called "The Diamonds" because it was built in a diamond-like shape on a triangular lot, the business promoted itself as "The World's Largest Roadside Restaurant" that was "Known from Coast to Coast."

This Trav-O-Tel Auto Court postcard is MWM A-2224. The Trav-O-Tel Auto Court looks to be a nice auto court from the pre-War period. The postcard claims that each unit had "closed locked garages" although I don't really see them in the postcard image. Membership in both AAA and the United Motor Courts suggests nice accomodations for the period.

This Coral Court postcard is Tichnor 77531. One of the most famous motels along Route 66, the Coral Court was known for its modern, streamlined architecture and its pinkish walls. Enclosed garages for every unit gave it a no-tell motel reputation in the local community. It opened in 1941 with 10 duplexed-bungalows, was expanded at least twice after the War and closed in 1993. It was razed in 1995 and the site is now a housing development.

This Smith Brothers Motel postcard is Tichnor 74555. Bird's eye view postcards are an interesting variant on the more typical ground view. The Smith Brothers motel became the King Brothers motel around World War II I believe. The motel office and restaurant were located in the colonial-style two-story building visible in the upper left of the postcard image while paired cabins covered the grounds to the side. The motel was razed and was replaced by a modern hotel.