| Williams' Store | |
| Location: | 7109 SE Highway 66, Riverton, Kansas |
| Coordinates: | 37.075°N -94.7028°W |
| Builder: | Williams, Leo |
| Added: | August 29, 2003 |
| Area: | less than one acre |
| Mpsub: | Route 66 in Kansas MPS |
| Refnum: | 03000843 |
Williams' Store is a historic store located along Old U.S. Route 66 in Riverton, Kansas. Leo Williams built the store in 1925, the year before Route 66 was designated. The store had a gas station and sold a variety of goods. While it was mainly a grocery and general store, Williams and his wife Lora sold chili and barbecue beef to travelers on Route 66. The store even had a croquet court at one point, which hosted local tournaments. The court was eventually removed to add parking. Leo Williams leased the store to Lloyd Paxon in 1945; Leo died before the lease expired; his wife Lora ran the store until 1970.[1]
The store is now known as the Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store. It is still in operation and serves as the headquarters of the Route 66 Association of Kansas.[2] This place was the inspiration for the Route 66 songs for the Pixar movie Cars.
The store was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 29, 2003.