The History of the Shamrock Court

The Shamrock Court Motel, a historic landmark along Old Route 66, has been a part of Sullivan, Missouri’s story for over seven decades. Built around 1947-1948, it was originally owned and operated by the Dodd family for about five years before changing hands.

In 1953, John and Rose Weiland purchased the Shamrock Court, moving from the Chicago area to begin a new chapter in their lives. The motel sat on eight acres of land that was once part of Shamrock Village, a development owned by the O’Reilly family. Together with their young son, John Jr. (Jay), and later their two other sons, Guy (born in 1955) and William “Billy” (born in 1957), the Weiland family operated the Shamrock Court as a classic roadside motor court for Route 66 travelers.

Like many businesses along The Mother Road, the Shamrock Court was deeply affected by the rise of the Interstate Highway System. In the 1960s, Route 66 in front of the motel was expanded and reconfigured to accommodate modern highway travel. This led to the construction of Interstate 44, which bypassed the motel, cutting off direct access to travelers. With fewer overnight guests, the Weilands had to adapt their business model. In the early 1970s, the eight original motel units were converted into four two-room efficiency apartments, catering to long-term renters rather than short-term travelers. The property remained in operation under the Weiland family’s care for 67 years, until the passing of John Weiland in 2009.

In April 2021, Roamin Rich Dinkela and his wife Christina purchased the Shamrock Court with a bold vision—to restore it as a must-visit tourist destination for Route 66 travelers once again. Their goal is to honor the motel’s rich history, preserve its unique Ozark-style architecture, and reignite the spirit of classic road trip hospitality.

Now, after more than 50 years, the Shamrock Court is being revived and restored to welcome travelers once again—bringing history back to life one stone at a time.