Ghost of the Colonial Hotel

In the exact spot of the original Colonial Hotel now sits its Ghost, a sculpture by Spanish artist Juan Garaizabal. Commissioned by Sculpture Walk Springfield in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Springfield, Garaizabal brought his Urbana Memora series to Springfield, Missouri. Installed in April 2026 for the Celebration of the Route 66 Centennial, Ghost of the Colonial Hotel honors the site’s significance—where, in 1926, Route 66 received its name—marking Springfield’s place as the birthplace of Route 66. Constructed of steel, light, and sound, the piece plays back memories of those whose lives were affected by the Mother Road.