Pacific, Missouri - Gateway to the Ozarks

MISSOURI LEGENDS

Pacific - Gateway to the Ozarks

In 1852 the Pacific Railroad Company laid out an official town and called it Franklin. Pacific was to be the new country’s first division west of the Mississippi. On July 19, 1852, the first train made its inaugural run from St. Louis to the end of the track at Pacific amidst a huge celebration. Soon people began to settle the area due to its proximity to two major rivers and the City of St. Louis. In 1859 the town was officially incorporated and its name was changed in honor of the Pacific Railroad.

Most of the town’s early growth and development was due to the railroad. Soon buildings began to be built in the downtown area, some of which still stand today.

Pacific, Missouri Old Town,

Pacific, Missouri Old Town

In 1864, during the Civil War, the town was raided by General Sterling Price of the Confederate Army. After the attack, the bridges, depot, ice house and railroad supply houses were left in ashes.

In the 1870s, in the sandstone bluffs just north of downtown Pacific, silica mining began, giving a boost to the economy of the small town. In those days, silica sand was used to make fine glassware. Today, you can still see large caverns in the bluff along the north side of Route 66. Mining continues in the area at the St. Peter Sandstone Formation south of Route 66 across the Meramec River.

Another milestone came to Pacific when U.S. 66 was built in 1932. In no time, the city soon sprouted a number of businesses to cater to the new traffic through the town.

The Cedar Inn has been serving up great food since

1934. Kathy Weiser, September, 2004.

One of the first was the Red Cedar Inn, which continues to stand today. The Inn was built by James and Bill Smith in 1934. Logs were cut from the family farm and hauled to the site on an old one ton Ford Truck. In 1935, the bar room was added. The Inn was operated continually until 1972, when James Smith II retired. However, in 1987, the Inn was reopened by James Smith III and continued to serve Route 66 travelers in the family tradition. On April 2, 2003 the Inn was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Alas, the inn was closed in 2005 and as of this writing (November, 2007) is for sale.

Monroe's Diner at 405 E. Osage Street is closed today. Kathy Weiser, September, 2004.

About a mile on down the road, at 405 E. Osage Street, you’ll see the closed Monroe’s Diner in an old Quonset hut that served up many a breakfast, lunch and dinners to Mother Road travelers.

Towering sandstone bluffs line Route 66 through Pacific, dotted with caves, making many a Mother Road traveler make a double take. The caves are from Pacific's silica mining days, dating back to the 1870's. They were exposed in 1932 when Route 66 was realigned through Pacific, bypassing the Manchester Road alignment.

Today, Pacific, just a 30 minute drive from St. Louis is primarily populated by a commuter society wishing to enjoy the advantages of small town life.

This old Motel between Pacific and Gray Summit, Missouri has seen better days, Kathy Weiser, November, 2007.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Guestbook

We are so glad you came to visit us at Legends of America! Please, let us know what you think. Your feedback will make our website even better!

Book your lodging in Pacific, Missouri HERE!

To Gray Summit

Return to Route 66

To Times Beach

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Route 66 Signs - Dozens of great metal signs to decorate that office or den. Makes a great gift for Route 66 enthusiasts and car buffs. See them all HERE!