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.

To Lebanon

Return to Route 66

To Jerome