Near The Missouri-Kansas Border Is A Midwestern Route 66 City With A Lively Downtown And Historic Charm

There's no clear count of how many towns sit on Route 66, but it's a lot. The celebrated road winds for more than 2,200 miles, cutting through eight states during its journey from Chicago to Santa Monica Pier in California. Missouri is one of those states, and among its many towns on the "Mother Road" is a charming little settlement known as Webb City.

This 19th-century zinc-mining boom town isn't as bustling as it once was, but who can pass up spending time in what was once dubbed the "Zinc Capital of the World"? Webb City's current estimated population — 13,459 according to the U.S. Census Bureau – is hardly more than the 12,000 that lived here in 1910, as reported by the Missouri Census Data Center. But that doesn't mean it's not still hopping, with a lively downtown whose early 20th-century history is reflected in almost every building, and a tourism scene driven by Route 66 traffic.

Webb City sits 7 miles from the underrated artsy city of Joplin, and less than 5 miles from Joplin Regional Airport (JLN), but c'mon, this is Route 66. If you head toward Webb City, it'll almost definitely be by car, while cruising the most famous highway in North America. Webb City is about 75 miles west of Springfield on Route 66 – the biggest city within a few hours — and less than 2 hours' drive from Branson in the Ozark mountains.

Two events define Webb City's history: John C. Webb's discovery of zinc on his farm in the 1870s, and the establishment of Route 66 in 1926. One started the mining industry that ignited the town, the second kept it going after that industry fizzled out. Many buildings downtown were built during "Zinc City's" high-flying days –  a history commemorated by a sign in Cardinal Park that's modeled after an early 1900s notice. In fact, all of downtown Webb City is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, making it a top stop on the must-do road trip that is Route 66.

You'll find a number of red brick buildings, the tallest topping out at three stories. Built mostly between the 1880s and the mid-1900s, they offer a glimpse of the prosperity that mining brought over a century ago. Notable properties include the Middle West Hotel, which began its life as an opera house in 1883 before being converted into a hotel. Elsewhere, you can see how turn-of-the-century's upper crust lived at two mansions, Aylor House and Webb Mansion. If you like old filling stations, Webb City has a whole mess of 'em from different eras; one was the only official post office with a gas station in the U.S. 

Another former gas station, built in the '50s, is now the Webb City Route 66 Welcome Center. Pop in for more info on Webb City and Route 66. And although it's of more recent vintage, The "Praying Hands" statue in King Jack Park, sculpted by a local artist in the early '70s, is the kind of funky photo op Route 66 is known for.

Downtown Webb City isn't just full of history. It hosts special events throughout the year, so if you time your trip right you might stumble upon something unique. The Mining Days Festival, for instance, was revived in late summer 2026 after a 20-year gap; the celebration pays tribute to the town's past with fun things to do, including a car show, dog show, and bounce houses for kids. Downtown also hosts the annual Merry Market in November during which locals sing carols and vendors sell handmade products.

One downtown event you can set your clock to is Webb City Farmers Market. It runs every Saturday of the year, and on Tuesdays from April to mid-October. As well as fresh produce, you can buy locally raised meats, honey, and homemade baked goods – road trip snacks that beat pre-packaged stuff on gas station shelves.

No location better unites the history of Webb City's downtown with its current buzz than the Route 66 Movie Theater. Built in the 1920s, the Art Deco movie house is a genuine rarity; the independently owned theater has a single screen that shows new releases and special screenings. Between its vintage neon marquee and mix of new and repertory movies, it sums up the eclectic mix of contemporary and classic that makes Webb City special.