In 1966 Jim Mitten and his wife Estelene moved to Oakley and purchased LW Swart and Breckinridge trucking and started Jim Mitten Trucking. His bright red and green Mitten “Cow Taxi’s” were recognized all across Kansas! 
      In 1967, Jim was approached by Skelly Oil Company. They wanted to build a Truckstop and wanted Jim to operate it. So they could call it a “Truckstop operated by a trucker. ”Within the first year of operations, Skelly quickly decided that there wasn’t enough money for the amount of work it took too operate a Truckstop and sold it to Jim Mitten. 
      A few years later, Gary and Toni Johnson(Mitten) and Larry and Tami Bley(Mitten) joined forces and it then became a family operation. 
       Today, the modernized location that has grown from the beginning is operated by Jim Mittens grandson Matt Mildenberger and wife Misty. Along with their dynamic team of professionals, operate one of the most sophisticated and diversified Travel Centers along the highway serving customers from all over the United States. 
       Their operations includes a full service IHOP sit down restaurant, quick service restaurants including Sonic and Subway, 24hr fueling, convenience store which provides ample items that anyone traveling along the Interstate would find a need or desire for, Blue Beacon Truck wash,24 hour repair shop, Bulk fuel, Oil and DEF delivery all over the midwestern United States. Urgent Care walk-in clinic, and on-site laundry. 
        The family friendly location has a fenced in dog park and playground, family restroom, 62 room Sleep Inn and Suites hotel across the street, 24 hr-6 bay repair shop including 3 roadside repair trucks to help the stranded professionals drivers along the side of the highway to get back on the road safely and in a timely manner. 
       Jim was always very proud that Mitten’s has been owned and operated by his family for the past 55 years.