Joplin sat on Route 66 for the highway's entire active life, and the city has made a point of marking that heritage. A series of murals along Main Street and the historic roadway depict the imagery of the Mother Road — diners, Airstream trailers, filling stations, and the neon signage of a mid-century America that was still in love with the open road.
The Route 66 Drive-In sign and the preserved stretch of the original highway surface near the old downtown are worth tracking down. The Joplin History and Mineral Museum has good material on the Route 66 era if you want context. The murals are outdoors and free; pick up a walking guide at the visitor center on Main Street.