Date of Visit: May 1, 2026
While we were driving around finding the Springfield 66 Statues, Dad decided to pull in to the Andy's Frozen Custard on Glenstone Avenue to try out the frozen custard. The day before we found out it was headquartered in Springfield when the parking spot we found happened to be in front of the headquarters. Thus, it seemed appropriate to try it out while in Springfield.
Date of Visit: May 4, 2026
As we have visited Lincoln Home NHS before, we just made a quick stop for their America 250 and Route 66 stamps. Of course, I had to get some Ranger Dan photos, too, because this is where I got the original Ranger Dan almost exactly ten years ago.
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| Route 66 Sign in Visitor Center |
Whether this one is the original or not, we have no idea. The original Ranger Dan lost his hat in the Mammoth Cave parking lot the day after I got him. When we got home, I bought a second one online and we glued his hat on. I also ordered a Ranger Susan, whose hat I took and glued on to the original Ranger Dan.
One of the Ranger Dans stays in my backpack and the other stays in the truck. Which is the actual original we forgot. However, we do know that the one in my backpack has its original head, while the one in the truck is the one I dropped at the FDR Memorial earlier this year and broke the hat. Because we had glued the hat on, in order to replace the hat we had to also replace the head. Thus, the truck one has a new head and hat.
Previous Visits to this National Park unit:
See full list of Ranger Dan's National Parks Visited here.
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| Carver Trail |
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| Carver Birthplace |
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| Carver Spring |
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| Boy Carver Statue |
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| Williams Pond |
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| 1881 Moses Carver House |
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| My Sketch of Moses Carver House |
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| America 250 Stamp |
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| Moses Carver Grave |
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| George Washington Carver |
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| Tree Ring History |
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| Carver's Bedroom |
Date of Visit: April 30, 2026
The World's Largest Fork by Mass is not on Route 66, but it is just a little bit of a detour for a classic roadside attraction of something giant. At one time it was the World's Largest Fork, but there are now taller ones. However, it seems that it still remains the World's Largest Fork by Mass.
Following the directions to the address and not finding a giant fork right away was confusing. Looking closer at the map, we found that the fork is on the backside of the building and can found by going around to the parking lot behind the building.
See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.
Date of Visit: April 30, 2026
The Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park is a small park on one of the Route 66 alignments through Springfield, MO. The park has a few picnic tables, a butterfly garden, and a replica of the famous Giant Hamburg sign.
The original Giant Hamburg sign was in front of Red's Giant Hamburg which was on Route 66 in Springfield, MO. It was meant to be Giant Hamburger, but it was made too tall, so the ER were cut off making it Giant Hamburg. Red's Giant Hamburg was possibly the world's first drive through restaurant.
On the other side of the street from the park is some more local history as it is where the city of Springfield started. There is also The College Street Great Mosaic Wall.
See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.
Date of Visit: April 30, 2026
While exploring Springfield, Missouri, we stopped at the Steak 'n Shake on St. Louis St. (Route 66) for an early lunch.
This location still has the old style look. It is also different from the typical Steak 'n Shake in that it has table service. They also have some carhop spots.
See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.
