Paving of Route 66

On November 14, 1926 the paving of Route 66 between Springfield and Joplin was completed. For several years, getting between the two cities in southwest Missouri had been unusually complicated, as there was no direct route available.


June 2, 1997

On this date in history, Red Chaney, the Springfield entrepreneur who invented the drive-through window, dies. For 38 years he operated Red’s Giant Hamburg on Route 66.


Big BAM Announces 2022 Ride Route

Missouri Life Magazine’s Big BAM (Bicycle Across Missouri) will ride across Route 66 in June. The upcoming annual six-day recreational ride across our state will be hosted by the following towns: Joplin, Willard, Lebanon, Waynesville, Rolla, Cuba, and Eureka.  


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.


Big BAM preps for upcoming Route 66 ride

The 2022 edition of Missouri Life magazine’s Big BAM (Bicycle Across Missouri) will take place along Route 66 from June 12-18,starting in Joplin and ending in Eureka. More than 100 cyclists have already registered for the adventure.


Big BAM 2022 Early Bird Registration Ends Soon

Ride America’s historic Route 66 across Missouri in June 2022! You’ll ride along historic sites and iconic points of interest as you meander from Joplin to Eureka. You will experience the beautiful scenic Ozarks and pastoral countryside as well as passing along wineries and breweries and true Americana at its best!


Missouri Constitution

July 19, 1820

Missouri's first Constitution was adopted at the temporary capital in St. Louis.


June 2, 1997

Red Chaney died in Springfield on this day. He was the entrepreneur who invented the drive-through window. For 38 years he operated "Red's Giant Hamburg" on Route 66.


Route 66 Bridge Meramec River Fenton

October 26, 1925

A huge crowd turned out to dedicate the new Route 66 bridge over the Meramec at Fenton. The bottle of pre-prohibition champagne set aside for the Christening turned up missing before the ceremony.


Climatron, Botanical Garden, Route 66

Rediscover Community on the Mother Road

Interstate 44 crosses Missouri from St. Louis to the Oklahoma state line, just west of Joplin, a length of 293 miles. For 235 of those miles, from St. Louis to Halltown, I-44 follows the route of what John Steinbeck called America’s “Mother Road”—the legendary Route 66.