CARTHAGE, Mo. (August 19, 2026) – Historic Route 66 in Carthage is becoming even more colorful as fire hydrants are transformed into vibrant works of art celebrating America's most iconic highway.
The Route 66 Hydrant Revamp Project is a collaborative effort between Carthage Water & Electric Plant (CWEP), Art Central, Vision Carthage, the Boylan Foundation, and talented local artists. Each hydrant features a unique design inspired by the history, landmarks and spirit of Route 66, creating a series of public art installations for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Director of Art Central, Cheryl Church, coordinated the artistic vision for the project, developing cohesive yet distinctive designs for each hydrant and recruiting a talented group of local artists to bring the designs to life. Through their creativity, time and talent, the participating artists are transforming the hydrants into unique works of public art that celebrate the history and spirit of Route 66.
The first completed hydrant, painted by Michelle Logon, located at the corner of Baker Boulevard and Oak Street (Historic Route 66), celebrates the iconic WigWam Motel located in Holbrook, AZ, with a patriotic red, white and blue design. Additional hydrants will continue to appear along the corridor in the coming weeks.
The project begins near Boots Court Motel and extends west along Oak Street (Historic Route 66) to Municipal Park. Future plans include expanding the artwork east from Boots Court Motel to Kellogg Lake, creating an even larger outdoor gallery celebrating Carthage's rich Route 66 heritage.
“We’re proud to be part of a project that celebrates Carthage’s Route 66 heritage while adding something unique and meaningful to our community,” said Cassandra Ludwig, CWEP Customer Relations Director and General Counsel. “These hydrants will give residents and visitors another fun way to experience Historic Route 66 and the creativity of our local artists.”
“Art does make a difference,” said Cheryl Church, Director of Art Central. “Unlike many events that last a day, public art remains for years, continuing to inspire and benefit the community long after the paint dries.”
As additional hydrants are completed, the community is encouraged to visit Historic Route 66 and experience the growing collection of one-of-a-kind public art installations throughout Carthage.
