The Most Unforgettable Stops Along Route 66

The Gillioz Theatre opened in Springfield, Missouri, on October 11, 1926, the same year Route 66 was established. Built by bridge contractor M. E. Gillioz, the theater used steel and concrete construction and brought movies, vaudeville, and grand entertainment to a growing Ozarks city.

Its significance reaches beyond show business. The Gillioz reflects the kind of downtown landmarks that made Route 66 towns feel alive, not just passed through. Seeing it today connects travelers to 1920s optimism, local pride, and the American belief that even a highway town deserved a little glamour.