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.
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.
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Route
66 Signs 
