The Crossroads Centennial Celebration
September 19-22, 2026
Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary by exploring early Jefferson Highway road history along with other auto trails and early U.S. numbered highways especially U.S. 66 that used much of the former JH roadway when it was first designated.
Updated (8-01) Schedule for all JHA-sponsored events presented below is subject to change and substitutions. Information on changes/updates will be posted to the JHA Facebook page and the Jefferson Highway Discussion Group Facebook page. Any general questions should be emailed to info@jeffersonhighway.org. You may also ask for registration assistance by the Conference Registrar by emailing hansfordnewton@gmail.com.
Please read through all schedule text here before attempting to register. All payments must be made by September 08, 2026. No full conference registrations will be accepted after that date. (If you are mailing check close to Sept. 8, please alert us!) DAY TICKET registrations and reservations for Wilder's dinner tickets must be made and paid by September 08, 2026, as well. (Update 8-01 - Registration extended to after Labor Day weekend, September 08.)
Jefferson Highway Conference Schedule
As you will see, not only are we trying something different by participating with the Route 66 Association of Missouri's Fall Motor Tour, but we also are approaching the conference on a modified a la carte-basis hoping to provide options that meet your budget and travel schedule. This will provide more free time to explore Joplin and the region's other attractions. We have many tri-state members, and this option may make it easier for them to participate in selected portions of the conference to fit their schedules.
Saturday September 19 (starting at approx. 10:00 am)
Welcome Event & Meet UP for MO 66 Motor Tour, JH Caravans and all other conference participants at Schifferdecker Park (JH Tourist Park) including the Joplin Mineral and History Museum and the outdoor 2025 Chalk Art Gallery featuring 66 theme 3-D art).
Among the numerous activities from 10 am to 4 pm will be a car camping display, vintage car display, Joplin Mineral & History Museum admission with their special Rt. 66 & early auto trail exhibit in the tri-state area, Route 66 Association of Missouri special traveling exhibit created by Katrina Parks and co-sponsored by the Missouri Humanities Council and Missouri 66 Centennial Commission, musical concert by Cece Otto, 66/JH Trivia Contest, JH media presentation by Roger Bell, and other media presentations on demand at the museum plus special treats and more!
Access to the outdoor 2026 Chalk Art Gallery with more 3-D art work, again many with 66 themes, is also located within a mile from Schifferdecker Park for visitation.
Evening Diner Options:
1. Limited Seating (60 seats only) for buffet dinner at Wilder's in downtown Joplin. Advance reservation ticket required. Open to JHA members (full conference registrations) and MO 66 Motor Tour participants until capacity is filled. Cash bar. (There may be possibility of a second seating if demand warrants.)
2. Dinner & exploring on your own in Joplin.
3. Dinner in Webb City & movie at Route 66 Theatre, 24 S. Main, Webb City (Self-pay).
4. Dinner in Carthage & double feature at 66 Drive-in, 17231 Old 66 Boulevard, Carthage (Self-pay).
Other Carthage attractions open:
Boots Visitor Center, 107 S. Garrison will be open until 8:00 pm.
Red Oak II, 10917 County Loop 122, Carthage; for strolling and/or drive-through visitation. Saturday evening music in the Salem Church open to visitors.
An evening after-dinner activity for JHA conference participants being sponsored by the Route 66 Motor Tour will be held in Carterville MO that will feature an outdoor concert, food trucks and the evening opening of Supertam 66 Ice Cream. More details soon.
Sunday September 20 (morning through late afternoon)
Final leg of MO 66 Motor Tour from Joplin to Vinita OK. See new attractions opened or updated since last year's JH pre-conference caravan. Drive both US 66 and JH routes. Some stops will be scheduled, and others will be open visitation times. Participants will be driving their own cars or ride with friends. More information will be announced on group stops and other suggested attractions. (There is no JHA bus tour this year.) Suggested stops include Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs KS attractions as well as Commerce, Miami, and Vinita OK attractions. More information and special Sunday openings at some museums and cultural centers will be announced closer to date and printed info will be provided.
Lunch will be at Hi-Way Cafe at 1:00 pm in Vinita OK unless you choose to try something else sooner or later at a self-selected site.
Should you not desire to do this leg of the MO 66 Motor Tour, and you are a JH member, you will have the opportunity to visit the new Joplin Historic Neighborhoods Museum/Schifferdecker and Zelleken Homes. Tour is by advance appointment for timed entry due to the nature of the interpretive tour and media presentations. Availability will be for afternoon times and reservations must be made in advance and will be coordinated with the Conference Registrar.
If you prefer, you will have part or all of the afternoon to explore other area attractions on your own -- Grand Falls/Redding Mills Bridge just south of Joplin, George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond (who this year have a special Route 66 NPS stamp for those of you with NPS passports), Red Oak II in Carthage, Truman Birthplace State Historic Site in Lamar, or other selections per Visit Joplin guidebook.
A group dinner location will be announced in registration packets (self-pay).
Evening Activity at Holiday Inn Conference Room after dinner -- TBA. Previous Trivia Contest has been moved to Saturday afternoon. (Update - 8-01)
Monday September 21
Conference Seminars at the Roxy Event Center, 9:00 am, 201 S. Joplin Ave., featuring:
Cheryl Eichar Jett (Edwardsville, Illinois) – Author of Women of Early Highways. Following her talk she will hold a book signing for her new book, Aprons Away, published by Reedy Press and released in 2026.
Daniel Hershberger (Plymouth, Michigan) – Author of Stopping for the Night – The Development of Roadside Lodging from Motor Camping to Motel Chains.
Anthony Arno (Flemington, New Jersey) – Author of 100 years of Route 66 at the Crossroads of America.
Other speakers to be announced and displays will be on-site. JH merchandise will also be available for sale (cash or check preferred).
Lunch will be on your own after the seminars conclude. If you have not tried some of the unique downtown eateries yet, this will be your last chance.
Afternoon activities will begin approximately at 2:00 pm in the Murphysburg National Register District adjacent to downtown. Short walking tours, JH sign dedications and additional reserved tours of the Schifferdecker/Zelleken Homes. (Charles Schifferdecker was one of Joplin/Jasper County's earliest "Good Roads" supporters and donor of Schifferdecker Park, site of Saturday afternoon's activities.)
Evening meal will be at Flat Creek Restaurant in Webb City, 215 S. E Street, but it will be self-pay (bar available). Surprise entertainment after eating. Flat Creek has a great sign collection for perusing, too!
Tuesday September 22
Several Morning Activities planned in downtown and perhaps elsewhere --exact time and locations still being discussed. Watch for UPDATES!
Send off lunch at Gryphon Building, 1027 S. Main St., home to Local Color Art Gallery, Chandelier Boutique & Eats, Social BTB restaurant. Historic building was built in 1915. Public areas decorated with photographs of Inter-State Grocer business.
Finally, there will be lots of surprises throughout the conference and plenty of free swag!
*****************
Cancellation Policy: Full Conference Registration cancellations made before September 01 will be refunded by check only from JHA Treasurer shortly after notification of emergency need to cancel. Refunds for cancellations on or after September 01, due to emergencies, will be made after the conference within two weeks (minus $50.00 fee for full registration; $10.00 fee for DAY TICKETS, and there are no refunds for Wilder's Dinner Tickets).
Please remember all those attending the JHA Annual Conference must be current in their personal, business/organizational/governmental membership. If you have a question about your membership status, email Conference Registrar hansfordnewton@gmail.com. Member businesses and Organizational/Governmental organizations are permitted to send more than one person at the member rate. (See note in Other Information section below.)
Liability Waivers must be signed by all members attending.
All activities subject to change and/or alteration up to start date and during conference. Please watch Jefferson Highway Association website and Facebook pages.
OTHER INFORMATION THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ
if you are a Route 66 Association of Missouri (MO 66) member and you plan to participate in the entire Fall Motor Tour sponsored by MO 66 and want to participate in the Saturday (limited seating) Dinner at Wilder's being arranged by the JHA and/or attend Monday/Tuesday JHA events, you need to register for Wilder's dinner ticket or DAY TICKETS on this registration portal at the DAY TICKET link. You do not need to register for Sat. or Sunday Day Tickets as those activities are covered in your MO 66 Motor Tour Registration (but NOT Wilder's evening dinner). We hope you will consider joining us for an extra day or two if your schedule permits!
REMEMBER JHA Organizational/Business Members can send as many representatives of their organizations to the JH Conference but each person attending must register individually and pay for full registration or day tickets.
Link to register for full registration for JH conference/celebration (for members and non-members)
Link to register for Wilder's Sat. dinner and/or DAY Tickets for members or non-members
For assistance with registration, email hansfordnewton@gmail.com.
General questions on conference can be sent to info@jeffersonhighway.org.
Conference Lodging
Holiday Inn Joplin
3402 Arizona Avenue
417-621-9317
Holiday Inn Joplin info & registration link
