Williams' Store
Williams' Store is a historic store located along Old U.S. Route 66 in Riverton, Kansas. Leo Williams built the store in 1925, the year before Route 66 was designated. The store had a gas station and sold a variety of goods. While it was mainly a grocery and general store, Williams and his wife Lora sold chili and barbecue beef to travelers on Route 66. The store even had a croquet court at one point, which hosted local tournaments. The court was eventually removed to add parking. Leo Williams leased the store to Lloyd Paxon in 1945; Leo died before the lease expired; his wife Lora ran the store until 1970.[2]
Williams' Store | |
Location | 7109 SE Highway 66, Riverton, Kansas |
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Coordinates | 37°4′30″N 94°42′10″W |
Area | less than one acre |
Built by | Williams, Leo |
MPS | Route 66 in Kansas MPS |
NRHP reference No. | 03000843[1] |
Added to NRHP | August 29, 2003 |
The store is now known as the Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store. It is still in operation and serves as the headquarters of the Route 66 Association of Kansas.[3] This place was the inspiration for the Route 66 songs for the Pixar movie Cars.
The store was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 29, 2003.[1]
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- Rosin, Elizabeth (December 1, 2002). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Williams' Store". National Park Service. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- "Old Riverton Store". Retrieved June 11, 2013.