The final Missouri section of pavement was complete and Route 66 is opened between Rolla and Lebanon. A crowd of 8000 gathered that day for a celebration in Rolla. This section of new highway bypassed one of the best places on Route 66, Devil’s Elbow. This quaint little town has a great history, beautiful bluffs, a clean river, famous barbecue, and the deepest rock cut in the nation. During WWII trucks carrying aircraft up the hillside blocked the highway until they made the road cut & added lanes. Read more about this in Too Good to Pass By.
This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.
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March 15, 1931
On this date in Missouri history, celebrations are held for the final section of Route 66 to be paved in Missouri. It was a big party in downtown Rolla, as an estimated 8,000 people turned out to commemorate the completion of Route 66 across Missouri.
March 26, 1953
St. Louis steelworker Sonny Liston had only been boxing for eight months when, on this date, he won the Golden Gloves heavyweight crown.
March 30, 1945
Missouri's present Constitution became effective. It is our fourth.