MISSOURI LEGENDS

Gray Summit to St. Clair - Meandering

          Into the Ozarks

As you continue down old Route 66, you’ll hardly know when you have left the town of Pacific and entered the unincorporated town of Gray Summit, as old buildings and businesses continue to dot the highway.

Gray Summit

With just some 2,600 people, Gray Summit was founded by Daniel Gray of New York, when he built a hotel here in 1845. The town was the highest point on the Missouri Pacific Railroad between St. Louis, and Kansas City, Missouri, and a railroad tunnel still runs beneath the town.

While in Gray Summit, you can stretch your legs among the Missouri wildflowers at the Shaw Nature Reserve run by the Missouri Botanical Garden.

The "new" Diamonds Restaurant and Gardenway Motel sign

 at the intersection of MO-100 and US-66, Kathy Weiser, November, 2007. This image available for photographic prints HERE!

The first Diamonds, built in 1927, was constructed in the shape of a baseball diamond, hence the name. Touted as the “World’s Largest Roadside Restaurant,” the business was established by Spencer Groof and also sold Phillips 66 gasoline and rented cabins across the street. In 1948, the restaurant burned to the ground in a fire that blazed so so furiously that Route 66 had to be temporarily closed. Rebuilt, the Diamonds continued to operate at this location (west of exit 251) until 1967 when it was bypassed by the interstate. Picking up, lock, stock, and barrel, including their vintage sign, the business moved two miles eastward, but still did not survive. The original Diamonds then began to house the Tri-County Truck Stop and Restaurant, which ironically, did live on beyond the Diamonds Restaurant. However, it today is also closed. The building is located at 144 Old Highway 66.

Just about one mile further down the road at 427 Missouri Highway AT, you will see the old Sunset Motel. Built in the 1940's, the motel offered 12 units and advertised Panel Ray Heat and Beautyrest Mattresses. But, the old lodging facility is now closed.

A bit further down the road is an abandoned Zephyr Station and Cafe overgrown with weeds and quickly deteriorating.

A few more miles down the road, just east of exit 242 is the Indian Harvest Trading Post. Complete with teepees, it is probably the easternmost Indian Trading post on Route 66.

Old Zephyr Station west of Villa Ridge, Kathy Weiser, November, 2007. This image available for photographic prints HERE!

St. Clair

Route 66 continues to meander north and south of I-44 until it enters the St. Clair, Missouri, home to about 4,500 souls. Established in 1849 as a railroad community for the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway, it was first called Traveler's Repose by one of its initial settlers. However, in 1855, it was changed to St. Clair. It began to grow as zinc and lead mining developed the area and by the turn of the century had a population of about 500.

Today, St. Clair boasts small town charm and is a wonderful place to raise a family.

While here, you will find the St. Clair Historical Museum, which includes Indian artifacts, mining items, a doctor’s office, and a general store.

If you're ready for a bite to eat, be sure to stop in at the Lewis Cafe, at 145 Main Street, which has been serving up home cooked meals for over 65 years.

Vintage Arch Motel sign in St. Clair, Missouri, photo by

Carolyn Hasenfratz, courtesy Preservation Online

Hot and cold water towers in St. Clair, Kathy Weiser, November, 2007. This image available for photographic

 prints HERE!

A great photographic opportunity once presented itself here at the vintage Arch Motel. Though the motel has been gone for years, the sign remained until recently when it, too, was removed. It currently sits in storage awaiting a new location.

On your way out of town, look to the north for St. Clair's quirky hot and cold water towers, as you continue your journey west on MO-WW to Stanton and Meramec Caverns.

Between St. Clair and Stanton, Route 66 meanders along the North Service Road. Keep your eyes open along here as you will see several old motel buildings in various stages of disrepair. 

© Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, November, 2007

Also See:

Gray Summit to Cuba Map

Gray Summit to Cuba 66 Gallery

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Route 66 Books - Legends of America and the Rocky Mountain General Store has collected a number of Route 66 Books for our Mother Road enthusiasts. As great as Route 66 is, if you aren't armed with a few good tools on your journey, you'll miss great attractions, eateries, places to stay, and wind up on the wrong path. To see this varied collection that includes "how-to" books, travel guides, photograph books, attractions, and more, click HERE!