Rolla, Missouri - The Middle of Everywhere

MISSOURI LEGENDS

Rolla - The Middle of Everywhere

Greetings From Rolla, Missouri

Among rivers, forested hills and bubbling springs, you will find Rolla, Missouri– a haven for outdoor fun.

The first settlers of the area were farmers who began to arrive in 1818 and building along the river banks. Though the town wouldn’t begin for several more years, a man named John Webber built the first house were Rolla would be in 1844.

The next year the Frisco Branch of the Southwest Railroad would begin to survey the land for the westward pushing railroad. A man named Lieutenant James Abert led the survey and would later become the first professor of Civil Engineering at the Missouri School of Mines.

When the railroad began to be built, a small settlement began to form in 1855 when the railroad erected an office and several warehouses. Anticipating the coming of the railroad, nearly 600 people moved to the area within six months. In 1857, Rolla was made the county seat of Phelps County and the next year the city was officially laid out. The town was named when one of the original settlers, formerly of North Carolina favored the name “Raleigh” after his home town. Other settlers agreed on the name on the condition that it wasn’t spelled that “funny” way and they settled on “Rolla.”

On January 1, 1861, the first train arrived in Rolla, but the outbreak of the war halted westward expansion of the line. However, the town became an important transportation hub as supplies were shipped from the east and loaded to wagon headed west. During the Civil War, Rolla served as a military post with as many as 20,000 Union troops stationed in the vicinity.

In 1870 the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy was founded due to Rolla’s location and its mineral riches. Today, the school provides twelve fields of engineering and science degrees, including mining and metallurgy.

When Route 66 came through, it replaced Route 14, a gravel road that was difficult to travel in anything but good weather. Work began on the concrete slab in 1928, and from Rolla to Lebanon it was the last piece to be paved in Missouri because of its difficulty. The completion was cause for a huge celebration. Rolla further improved its image by completing the paving of city streets which connected with the highway.

In no time, Rolla became a vacation playground as tourist cabins motels, trading posts and fishing camps sprang up.

Route 66 from Fairground Hill in Rolla, Missouri,

photo courtesy Springfield Library

Today, Rolla continues to be a haven for outdoor adventurers with its proximity to the Current and Jack’s Fork rivers, Ozark forests, caves, springs and bluffs. The town also provides a rich view of its heritage in its historical buildings and vintage peeks of old Route 66.

On the corner of Third and Rolla Streets is the John A. Dillon Log House, built in 1857 and utilized as the first Phelps County Courthouse. Today the building houses the Phelps County Museum. In 1859 Phelps County began to build another Courthouse just across the street, which also served as a hospital and supply storage during the Civil War. The building is currently being restored to its former glory.

For views of Route 66, be sure to check out the Mule Trading Post just as you enter the east side of town. On the west end is the Totem Pole Trading Post, opened in 1933 offering gas and novelties to cross country travelers. Located at the corner of Route 66 and Martin Springs Drive, the vintage store sells antiques to new adventurers of the Mother Road. Also check out Zeno’s Motel and Steak House at 1621 Martin Springs Drive, which has been serving up fine food and accommodation since 1957.

Rolla also provides an auto museum called Memoryville USA that includes a gift shop offering antiques and collectibles, and an automobile restoration shop where visitors can view restorations in progress. The museum is located at 2220 North Bishop Avenue.

What's left of John's Modern Cabins near Rolla,

Missouri, February, 2005, Kathy Weiser.

For an interesting look something else altogether, visit the Rolla Stonehenge, a partial reconstruction of the ancient megalith, built by students at the University of Missouri at Rolla.

Just about seven more miles down the road is one of the most interesting views of the old Mother Road at John’s Modern Cabins. Long abandoned, this vintage camp was built in 1951 but didn’t last for long, as the camp was closed when I-44 replaced Route 66. The cabins are on the Sugartree outer road on the north side of I-44 at exit 176. Also along this outer road is the vintage Vernelle's Motel, still in business today.

Just a bit further down the road, at exit 172, you can see the remains of the Stony Dell resort. It is also this exit that will take you to Larry Baggett’s Tribute to the Trail of Tears. This interesting property, decorated with a stone archway, statues, stone walls and rock gardens, was built by the deceased Larry Baggett to honor those long ago Indians who suffered along the Trail of Tears.

February, 2005

Book your lodging in Rolla, Missouri HERE!

Trail of Tears Monument at Jerome, Missouri,

February, 2005, Kathy Weiser.

The remains of an old lodge near

Jerome, Missouri, exit. February, 2005, Kathy Weiser.

1857 Courthouse in Rolla, Missouri

The John A. Dillon House served as the first

courthouse in Rolla which still stands today, housing

the Phelps County Museum. Photo courtesy

Phelps County Historical Society.

To Jerome

Return to Route 66

To St James

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Four 66 Tin Signs - Set of four Old Route 66 weathered style signs. Measuring 10"x16", made of heavy gauge metal, signs have rolled edges for safe handling. Includes: Main Street USA - Chicago to L.A., Eat here and get gas - Alice's Eatery & Service Station, America's Highway, and U.S. Route 66.