Pulaski County - Route 66 Through the Heart of the Ozarks

MISSOURI LEGENDS

Pulaski County - Heart of the Ozarks

Hooker Cut on Route 66 in Pulaski County

The Hooker Cut on Route 66 in Pulaski County vintage postcard.

As you continue your journey of Route 66 from Rolla, you’ll soon enter Pulaski County, the self-proclaimed Heart of the Ozarks. Through this area, the Mother Road cuts through large rock bluffs, over streams, and through lush valleys, as well as providing numerous peeks at vintage restaurants, auto courts and service stations. One of the most scenic drives on Route 66, you’ll soon pass over a pristine four-lane section of the Mother Road that was built to carry traffic to and from Fort Leonard Wood during World War II. The first twisting, narrow stretch of Route 66 through Devil’s Elbow was obviously not adequate for the many moving men and equipment and the new four lane stretch was completed in 1943. Today, most of this old four-lane is still original and is in very good condition considering its age. Passing through the steep bluffs of the Big Piney River, the Hooker Cut was one of the deepest road cuts in the nation at the time of its construction.

Interestingly, the curbs along this stretch of road are inclined towards the roadway. This was a common building practice at the time, as it was believed that such a design would keep cars from going off the road. However, they soon found out that the curb design actually caused cars to overturn and was soon discontinued.

Devil's Elbow - A Sharp Bend in the River

Turn left just before crossing the Big Piney River to take the older alignment through Devil’s Elbow. This community began around 1870 as a lumberjack town when logs were floated down the river. During those old timber days, a large boulder situated where the river bends, was constantly causing log jams, hence the name Devil’s Elbow. Later, when Route 66 was built through the area, the settlement became a resort community with cabins, inns, service stops, and canoe rentals.

In this small community, you truly feel as if you have stepped back in time as you drive this endearing piece of the old Mother Road. Sheldon’s Market, which also houses the post office, first began as Miller’s Market in 1954 and was later called Allman’s Market. The Elbow Inn Bar and Barbeque Pit was established in 1929 and is one of the oldest original buildings on Route 66 that still operates as the same type of business. The Elbow Inn was the one time home of the Munger Moss Sandwich Shop which moved to Lebanon in 1946 after the highway was realigned through the Hooker Cut.

Sheldon's began as Miller's Market, vintage postcard.

Sheldon's Market in Devil's Elbow, Missouri

Sheldon's Market today, courtesy The Road Wanderer

An old still truss bridge, dating back to 1926, crosses the Big Piney River in Devil’s Elbow and a McCoy’s Store and Camp, built in 1941 still stands. Though no longer open, it once had a busy store on the lower level and rented rooms to Route 66 travelers during its heydays.

Waynesville Epitomizes Main Street USA

After leaving Devil’s Elbow, you’ll soon enter Waynesville with its quaint downtown district that epitomizes Main Street USA. Waynesville got its start in 1831 when a man named G.W. Gibson “squatted” on the land where the town sits today. Just one year later Pulaski County was formed and Waynesville was soon designated as the county seat. In 1835, James A. Bates opened one of the first stores in the settlement, which also served as a temporary courthouse. In 1839, the town was platted and a post office opened, named after famous General "Mad Anthony" Wayne, the daring Revolutionary War hero and Indian fighter.

Steel Truss Bridge in Devil's Elbow, courtesy

Waynesville Daily Guide

Historic Waynesville, Missouri

Historic Waynesville courtesy Visit Pulaski County

Like much of Missouri, Waynesville declared itself as “Confederate” during the Civil War, flying the rebel flag over its courthouse. However, this was short lived due to hits strategic location on the Wire Road. On June 7, 1862, Federal troops marched in, taking over the town and building a fort to protect the Wire Road.

The town existed due to lumber and agricultural interests until Route 66 came through and developed into more of a tourist community.

At the junction of Route 66 and Highway 17 you officially enter Waynesville. On the historic square are several historic buildings including the Old Stagecoach Stop, which first served as a stage waystation and post office when it was built in 1850. During the Civil War, it was commandeered by the Federal Army and used a hospital as the Union forces built the fort on the south side of the square. Later it would serve as a hotel, boarding house and a private residence. More than a century later, it had fallen into sever disrepair and was condemned by the city in 1982. However, Waynesville citizens rallied and saved the building. Today, it is listed on the national Register of Historic Places. Also on the square is the Old Courthouse Museum, built in 1903 and serving Pulaski County until 1989.

Witmore Farms in Waynesville, Missouri has been

serving customers of the Mother Road for years, February,

2005, Kathy Weiser.

At Route 66 and Benton Street, you can see a building that was originally the Rigsby Standard Oil station, serving Route 66 travelers in its heyday. Continuing on, you’ll see the Victory Pub on the left that has been serving up a brew by family members since 1942.

As you begin to head out of town the Witmor Farms Restaurant continues to serve up delicious to fare to Route 66 travelers, and across the street sits the small Pleasant Grove Church which has been serving its congregation since 1926. Just a bit further down the road sits the building that once housed the Hillcrest Grocers & Station, pumping KanOTex gas in 1932.

Route 66 takes a right turn on County Road P, where you will drive through the old town of Laquey (pronounced “Lakeway.”) Continuing to follow the old route, you’ll soon see signs of the area once called Gascozark and the small town of Hazelgreen before reaching Lebanon. Along this stretch, keep an eye out for a number of historic buildings that once catered to travelers along the old highway.

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Abandoned garage in the Gascozark area,

February, 2005, Kathy Weiser.

To Lebanon

Return to Route 66

To Jerome

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

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