HSOC Corridor Information

From Missouri Outdoors

Get Your Kicks On Route 66 - Part I
By Conor Watkins

Route 66, also known as 'The Mother Road' and 'America's Main Street' crosses Missouri and passes directly through Rolla on its way from Chicago to Los Angeles. Route 66 passed through 8 states and three time zones in its heyday. The road inspired songwriter Bobby Troupe to write his now famous song, 'Get Your Kicks On Route 66.' As Route 66 passes through Missouri, the road brings the traveler near many interesting sights bypassed by Interstate 44, the US 66's modern day replacement. For those wanting a change from the green signs and fast food chains of the Interstate, Route 66 is worth a trip. This route is not as quick as I-44 so allow extra time.

As Route 66 crosses the Ozarks, it roughly follows a stagecoach line established around 20 years before the Civil War. Telegraph lines were constructed along the road and it was often known as the Wire Road. To this day, some poles and wires still stand and some of 66 still goes by the name of 'The Old Wire Road'. US Route 66 was officially commissioned in 1926. Before this time, the Missouri Ozarks were a remote area not easily accessible to outsiders. Locals took advantage of the road by opening unique businesses such as restaurants, rock shops, memorabilia/souvenir stores, wax and animal museums, commercial caves, and other roadside stops for travelers. Some highlights in Missouri are listed below as seen traveling east to west.

Route 66 used to enter Missouri from Liberty, Illinois on the Chain Of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River. This bridge collected tolls for each vehicle crossing from 1929 to 1968. In 1968, a 'free' bridge carrying I-270 was completed as part of the Interstate System and the Chain Of Rocks Bridge couldn't compete. This bridge is famous for its strange 22-degree turn and its appearance in the movie 'Escape From New York'. The bridge was reopened in 1999 for pedestrian and bicycle traffic making it the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. See http://www.umr.edu/~cwatkin/mooutdoors/article4.htm for more information on this unique bridge. While in St. Louis, be sure to stop at Ted Drewes and other famous Route 66 attractions.

Route 66 State Park is one of the newest additions to Missouri's list of state parks. This park is on the former location of the ill-fated town of Times Beach. The town was originally established in the mid 1920s as a resort community along the Meramec River. Times Beach was contaminated by dioxins in the 1970s by Russell Bliss, a waste hauler, and closed in the early 1980s by the government after the extent of the contamination was uncovered. This contamination originated from waste oils sprayed on the roads to control dust. The federal government declared the area a Superfund site and has now cleaned it up by incinerating the contaminated materials. The park consists of park of the old highway, picnic areas, hiking/biking/equestrian trials, and a visitor center. This visitor center features a museum on the historic highway, Times Beach, and a gift shop. Wildlife such as deer, turkey, and raccoons are commonly seen in the park by visitors and those driving past on I-44. Route 66 State Park is located on I-44 at exit 266.

As Route 66 leaves St. Louis, it passes silica mines in Pacific. The mines appear as large caverns in the bluff on the north side of Route 66. These silica mines have been mined historically and are currently being mined by US Silica. Quartz sand for the making of glass and other products is mined from the St. Peter Sandstone Formation. These mines are not open to the public but make for an interesting sight. For publicly accessible exposure of the St. Peter Sandstone, turn south on Hwy F from Old 66 (Osage Ave.). Cross the Meramec River and follow the road up the hill to a road cut in St. Peter Sandstone. This section of rock has sandstone cemented by limonite, a type of iron ore. To get to this site, exit I-44 at exit 257 and follow Business Loop 44. The sandstone exposures will be obvious on the left as you pass through the town of Pacific.

The Shaw Nature Reserve, formerly known as Shaw Arboretum, is a private park run by the Missouri Botanical Garden. The area was established in 1925 when air pollution in the City of St. Louis threatened the main plant collection. Some of the main collection was moved to the Arboretum. The area consists of a visitor center, mansion, 14 miles of hiking trails, and a diverse range of environments. The relatively small area is bordered by the Meramec River and consists of wetlands, prairie, glades, and forest. The park is well maintained throughout and much of it can be seen during a day trip. This park is located in Gray Summit, MO at exit 253. From this exit, turn right. Turn right again at the T intersection and turn left soon after at the entrance to the park.

Purina Farms, also located in Gray Summit, is an excellent place to go with friends or family. These farms show off different pets and farm animals. The visitor is able to pet and feed many animals. Almost anyone who likes animals will find Purina Farms worth a visit. To get there, turn left at exit 253 and follow Hwy 100 through Gray Summit to Hwy MM. Turn left and follow to the farms. Reservations are required. Call Ralston Purina at 314-982-3232 for reservations and information.

Meramec Caverns in Stanton has been touted as the oldest stop on Route 66. This large cave is said to have once been the hideout for the infamous outlaw, Jesse James. This large show cave opened in 1935 and is now open to the public year round. A restaurant, gift shop, campground, motel, and river float service are other services offered at the location. Billboards and painted barn roofs advertise this site for miles around. To get to this cave, take I-44 east to Stanton (exit 230) and follow the signs.

Highway 66 passes through one of Missouri's wine and grape producing regions near Leasburg, Cuba, and St. James. Some vineyards can be observed from the road and several roadside stops sell grapes, grape juice, wine, honey, and other locally produced products in the summer and fall months. These stands can be accessed along stretches of US 66 off of I-44 between exits 189 and 214.

Onondaga Cave State Park is also located near Leasburg and worth visiting. The park is home to Onondaga and Cathedral Caves, both of which are well decorated with speleothems (cave formations). These two caves are both closed in the winter. To visit the caves, exit I-44 at exit 214 and follow Hwy H south for 10 or so miles to the park.

Due to length considerations, the last half of this article will be published next week. Be on the lookout for more interesting Route 66 attractions west of Rolla and sources pointing to more detailed information. Until then, enjoy Missouri's great outdoors.

Part 2