Location Details
Vernelle’s Motel and John’s Modern Cabins are two historic, adjacent Route 66 landmarks located in Phelps County, Missouri. The properties sit right next to each other along a dead-end, abandoned alignment of the original highway.
Specific Location Details
Postal Address: 10887 Arlington Road, Newburg, MO 65550
Actual Geography: The properties are physically situated between the small towns of Doolittle and Arlington, roughly 8 miles west of Rolla, Missouri.
Coordinates:
- Vernelle's Motel: 37.939082, -91.942753
- John's Modern Cabins Ruins: 37.937529, -91.943036
How to Find Them (Access Instructions)
The sites are located directly south of Interstate 44 and just southwest of Exit 176 (Sugar Tree Road).
Because Interstate 44 was rerouted in 2006, the properties were completely cut off from the main flow of traffic. To reach them, you must look for a road marked with a "No Outlet" sign just off the highway. A lightly traveled service road/gravel path (Arlington Outer Road) leads you past the iconic, vintage Vernelle's Motel sign and right down to the remaining cabin ruins a few hundred feet away.
Breathing New Life into the Mother Road: The Revival of Vernelle's Motel and John’s Modern Cabins
For decades, the stretch of Historic Route 66 near Newburg and Arlington, Missouri, has offered a poignant look at the changing tides of the Mother Road. Side-by-side sit two iconic properties: the ghostly, beloved ruins of John’s Modern Cabins and the quietly enduring Vernelle’s Motel.
For a long time, it seemed these properties were destined to fade slowly into the Missouri landscape. But today, a new chapter is unfolding. For Route 66 travelers and historians alike, the historic sites are being revitalized to welcome modern road-trippers once again.
The Legend of John’s Modern Cabins
Before it became a favorite stop for ruins photographers, this site opened in 1931 as "Bill and Bess’s Place." Founded by Bill and Beatrice Bayliss, it was a rustic tourist court featuring a lively dance hall and six log cabins resting on dirt blocks.
In 1951, the property was purchased by John and Lillian Dausch, who gave it the name "John’s Modern Cabins" and erected its famous neon sign. John became affectionately known as "Sunday John" due to his brazen habit of selling beer on Sundays in defiance of local liquor laws.
Sadly, progress took its toll. Route 66 was widened in 1957, forcing the business to move back from the road. By 1965, Interstate 44 bypassed the property completely. Following Lillian's death in the late 1960s and John's passing in 1971, the cabins were abandoned. Over the next half-century, the ironically named "modern" cabins slowly surrendered to the elements, becoming one of the most photographed ghost towns on the route.
The Quiet Charm of Vernelle’s Motel
Just a few hundred feet down the road sits Vernelle’s Motel. Originally built in 1938 as Gasser’s Tourist Court, it was purchased in 1952 by Fred and Vernelle Gasser. They expanded the site into a thriving roadside oasis with 12 units, a comfort-food restaurant, a filling station, and even a petting zoo.
Like John's, Vernelle's was heavily impacted by the 1957 highway widening, which forced the demolition of its restaurant and gas station. The motel was later acquired by the Goodridge family. Under the stewardship of Ed Goodridge, it transitioned into a quiet, retro retreat—proudly advertising itself as an escape free from modern distractions like cell service or remote controls—before eventually closing to overnight guests in 2012.
A New Chapter: The RV Park and Ongoing Restoration
In early 2024, Dwayne Goodridge (son of Ed) and his wife Shona took ownership of both Vernelle's Motel and the John's Modern Cabins tract. Their mission? To preserve the history of this Missouri stretch while adapting it for today's traveler.
The biggest news for road-trippers is the launch of Vernelle’s Route 66 RV Park. Built directly along the original Route 66 alignment, the park is actively welcoming guests as they complete their multi-phase opening.
While full amenities like sewer, laundry facilities, and bathhouses are currently under construction, the park is already hosting travelers. They currently offer:
Active Hookups: 50/30/20 electric pedestals and frost-free water hydrants are up and running at their initial sites.
Premium Layout: The park features 12 laser-leveled sites, split between expansive 45′ x 80′ pull-throughs and 45′ x 60′ back-ins.
Dry Camping: Members of the Harvest Hosts program can currently take advantage of dry camping spots. Early reviews from RVers highlight the incredible, peaceful experience of parking directly on the old Route 66 roadbed beneath the Missouri stars.
Looking Ahead
The RV park is just the beginning. The Goodridges have ambitious plans to bring the site back to its former glory. Future phases include fully restoring the original Vernelle’s Motel building to welcome overnight guests once more, repainting the classic Vernelle's sign, and illuminating the neon sign for John’s Modern Cabins.
Perhaps most importantly for history buffs, plans are in place to build a protective structure over the last surviving, original log cabin of John's Modern Cabins, preserving a vital piece of 1930s Mother Road history for generations to come.
Whether you are traveling in a 60-foot Class A motorhome or just pulling over to take in the history, the Newburg/Arlington stretch of Route 66 is officially back on the map.
(For the latest booking information and progress updates, travelers can visit the owners' official site at vernellesroute66.com.)
Sources:
Vernelle's Route 66 RV Park (Official Website): https://vernellesroute66.com/
Route 66 News: Route 66 News - Newburg Archives
Route 66 Times: https://route66times.com/l/mo/doolittle-johns-modern-cabins.htm
Route 66 Motels Directory: http://www.route66motels.com/vernelles/vernelleshistory.html