Hotelier Elliott awarded for Route 66 contributions

Springfield businessman and hotelier Gordon Elliott was named the 2014 recipient of the John T. Woodruff Award for his support of the Route 66 revitalization effort.

Since 1993, Elliott has owned the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven motel, 203 S. Glenstone Ave., which traces its roots back to 1938. The 92-room property - which is themed in tribute to the Mother Road - has been profitable every year since the businessman purchased it, and provides more than 17,000 room-nights annually, about half of which are Route 66 travelers, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Elliott received the award during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, held downtown Aug. 9. The award is named after Springfield businessman Woodruff, who built the Colonial Hotel, Kentwood Arms Motor Hotel, Samsone Hotel and the Frisco Building, according to a news release.

“Everyone knows Elliott as the chamber of commerce 2013 Springfieldian. He has received numerous other awards for his enthusiastic involvement in promoting the city,” Birthplace of Route 66 Festival organizer Dave Eslick said in the release. “We want to recognize him today as the owner, since 1993, of the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven Motel at Glenstone and St. Louis Street, the original Route 66 through the city.”

A sponsor of the festival since it began in 2010 and title sponsor in 2013 and 2014, Elliott announced at this year's event he purchased historic Rock Fountain Court, 2400 W. College St., and will restore it for Route 66 travelers. He also was a contributor to the reconstruction and dedication of the Red’s Giant Hamburg sign in the future Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park, according to the release.

During the festival, some 415 people were present for the dedication of the Red's sign, an estimated 300 cars were shown to some 4,000 spectators during Saturday's car show and the event concluded with a sold-out Ozark Mountain Daredevils concert at the Gillioz Theatre.