Digging up old Route 66 in Devils Elbow Missouri

[@geowill185]

Hey Rich, In the summer of 75, me and 3 of my high school buds left St. Louis headed for Fair Grove Mo. to stay for the summer with one of my buds grandfather. We were in a 54 primer black Chevy Bel-Air complete with the required Pink Floyd and K-SHE 95 Sweetmeat stickers. We broke down at the old Hillbilly Store which at the time was on the 1940's 4 lane stretch of 66. You may be able to confirm but my understanding is that this was one was one of the final stretches of 66 still in use at the time as the adjacent section of I-44 was not yet complete. Also (my memory is a little fuzzy) I seem to recall me and the driver walked back east east a ways as we had noticed a junkyard over the embankment. We were thinking the problem was a faulty fuel pump and thought we might locate one at the junkyard. Climbed down a rather steep embankment to a trailer at the bottom. Knocked on the door which was answered by a large woman in a bathrobe complete with big fuzzy slippers and hair in curlers a cup of coffee in one hand and a cigarette dangling from her mouth surrounded by a retinue of parking poodles. We somewhat timidly inquired after the owner and were told rather brusquley that she was the owner. I'll never forget following her out in to the junkyard and watching her crawl into an old rusted gutted out car with various fuel pumps. She began to pick through them muttering to herself, 67 Pontiac nope, 55 Buick, nope, 52 Chrysler nope.....ect. She informed us that no fuel pump for a 54 Chevy was to be had at her establishment and we wended our way back up the embankment and back to the Hillbilly store. Called a wrecker and the 4 of us, the wrecker driver his son and a rather large dog all piled in the cab and set off for the nearest town which I believe was St. Robert. Got needed repairs and headed on. Quite the Route 66 summer adventure for 4 16 yr old teens.

[@tombrown8829]

I'm from Oklahoma. We have more of rte 66 left in accessible and runnable condition than any other state. We get visitors from all over the world here to just get the chance to travel it. Your video was well done and informative and I'll look forward to more as well as pass your site onto others interested in the mother road.

[@njaneardude]

This is seriously deep into 66, and loving it! 👍👍👍

[@johncrumpley8702]

Rich, I'm 77 years old and was born and raised in Devils Elbow. I learned to swim under that bridge. When I was around eight years old, I discovered a dead body floating in the river about a hundred yards up stream from the bridge. Long story short... it was a soldier from Ft. Wood who had been murdered on the base. The body had floated down stream and became entangled in a fallen tree in the water. Lots of excitement in the 1950's. The postmaster of that post office was Jiggs Miller who lived in the house directly across the street. His mother-in-law lived in a tiny apartment in the back of that general store. He became a local hero when the USPS announced they were closing the post office in that store. He actually went to testify to the House Oversight Committee to successfully convince them that the location was critical to the many elderly people who actually lived in the area. That stone retaining wall was to keep cars that tried to take that slight curve too fast on Rt. 66. It is a very long way down to the valley below. When we were kids, we actually rode our bikes up there to ride the length of the wall... It's about two feet wide.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Thank you John for sharing your memories of the Elbow! What a great place to grow up!

[@RealGaryGibson]

I was just there so close to Devils Elbow just a few months ago. I went to film Rt 66 in Dolittle which is just a few miles away. My grandparents used to have a house right on Rt 66 near Dolittle and I went to see it. Turns out it was being remodeled at the time and the contractor let me go in and check it out. It was so cool to see it cause the last time I'd seen it was in the 60's. My father used to drive a Pepsi-Cola truck along Rt 66 in the 40's and he had some stories to tell. I had a blast driving along those old parts of Rt 66. If I had known about Devils Elbow I would have gone there too. Thanks for all the history!

[@HookedOnRoute66]

WOW. youtube really screwed my footage up. I'm going to have to delete this and upload it again. sorry everyone

[@dlewis1931]

the video is fine,,,AMAZING really !!!! i follow all your vids, so when im able to get out to MO. 66,,,i have a reference. keep up the good work and GOD bless my friend !!!!!

[@excuse.me.sir.]

awesome video man. really cool to see that old building. so neat to see things just sitting there after a long time.

[@cheryla.wright5348]

Really enjoyed this. I don't think it is too long. Thank you

[@JohnLobbanCreative]

Just stumbled across this video. Really enjoyed the history lesson. Love seeing these abandoned stretches of highway!

[@SCRANE1115]

I am enjoying your passion for old route 66. Fun exploration without extensive trespassing or property damage. The railroad bridge over the Big Piney River near Devil's Elbow is the currently operating US Army Fort Leonard Wood Railroad. The highlight here is that very few truss bridges are currently painted. The US Govt paints this one and your film clearly indicates this fact. Nice. Also, your investigation of wire rope guard rails is intriguing. Not much reported history on these things, except, highway departments throughout our nation report using this method just prior to WW II. The steel rope type replaced simple naked wooden and concrete posts. Also, depending on location, en lieu of wire, wooden planks were also used. The galvanized steel "W" guardrail was the subsequent standard replacement beginning in the 1950's. Keep up your curiosity!

[@HookedOnRoute66]

+Stuart Crane I'm glad you noticed and brought more information to the rest of us! Thanks!

[@brucerench9110]

Rich, Great Video! As I live here, there are a lot of questions I could answer for you on your visit. Born here in 1951, and know as much as anyone about all the sites. Hope to see you here sometime soon. Bruce R. ''

[@ContinuousRefinement]

I heard that the reason the bend in Big Piney River was called "Devil's Elbow", was because when foresters floated harvested logs (for use in construction in St. Louis), they would always have a log jam at "Devil's Elbow", thus the name for all the trouble they had getting logs down the river.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

That's what I have always been told.

[@daviddrupa1638]

Thanks - your stuff is awesome - really enjoy watching.

[@mulletmedia]

Love this. I live in Boonville and my brother from the San Diego area came out and did Bikefest with me in 2018. One of our rides was to the Elbow Inn where we had the brisket and shot pool. I have pictures of me on my Indian Scout and him on his Triumph Bonneville posing in the road at the end of the bridge.

[@KotoriHabane]

Wow, what an adventure. Just imagine what this area looked like 90 years ago.

[@BigJoe62]

Great job, Rich, as always! I really enjoy all your great videos. If I may add a comment, where you crossed over the four lane alignment, and were pointing out the old gas station on the left, on the right at that intersection, used to be a big retail store called the Hillbilly Store. They had all kinds of stuff, not just souvenirs. In fact, my grandmother had two large concrete flower pots on her front porch until she died that came from there from back in the fifties! It finally closed up when the interstate bypassed that four-lane alignment. Great memories of stopping there.

[@SmittysPlace]

That was awesome Double R!!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@crowmigration8245]

Don't apologize for the length... I actually wish it was longer!

[@KJBO1611]

I couldn't agree more! Thank you!

[@rustypugh123]

That's what I was going to say! Lol

[@Cardstpak]

Simply AMAZING so informative, thank You SO MUCH Roamin' Rich

[@sassystl287]

Very interesting, didn't know this part, & I'm from MO. Thanks

[@MarkShannonroad_videos]

This is a beautiful area. Been there twice, and was blown away from what the old road offered. I knew of the real old routing of 66, but had trouble following it north of Route Z (newer 66). Very interesting. I've noticed that cable guardwire still in place on several segments of old highways. I thank they were painted silver at one time. On another note I actually sent a drone down to get that railroad bridge and the valley more up close. Tried to drone the old Devil's Elbow bridge, but chickened out due to the trees. Got the newer arched bridge, though.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I got plenty of Drone footage of the old bridge. You'll see it soon. ;)

[@djdr.oldiesrichardcrummitt5321]

Another awesome video brother. I'm glad that you take the time to document some of these places. I use to live 7 miles east of Reed Springs, and you are right, there is nothing like it.

[@midwestgrammar2941]

It that St Louis north county??

[@tulsadst]

Even with the shakiness on this video, I still enjoyed it Rich! Neat old 66 items from Devil's Elbow I'd never seen before. Keep up the great work documenting the Mother Road!

[@modasher]

The cables reminds me of the ones on MO 59 down by Noel. That road was the original route of US 71. As far as the section you’re on, I checked it out on historical aerials. Teardrop used to connect to Trophy but part of that was torn out because of the interstate. The guardrails being modern makes sense as well. The interstate went down the 4 lane 66 through the Hooker Cut until about the 80s. That section was one of the last sections of the interstate to be replaced.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

That's correct. It was bypassed around 81 or so

[@shaunspeers2656]

Great video! Visited Devils Elbow about 4 years ago. I had no idea that other section of Route 66 was there just across that intersection.

[@rayheatley9910]

I stopped by the Devils Elbow Inn about six months ago. It is still closed so I had a beer at Judy's place. The folks at Judy's didn't think the Elbow Inn would reopen. The Elbow Inn must have been a fun place and I am sorry I didn't get to be there when it was opened. Ray

[@HookedOnRoute66]

It was a great place for sure. I really miss it. How was Judy's place?

[@rayheatley9910]

@@HookedOnRoute66 Judy’s place is ok. There were four slot machines and a pool table. I will be driving by again this April and may stop for a beer. It is off the main highway so I lose some time, but I am retired. Ray

[@jimmyggh1]

Awesome as always Rich!

[@fotobum1952]

Thank you! Rich. You have the vision.

[@ethosyourbro]

Third time watching the video. The adventure truck sounds great!

[@unionrdr]

Another great exploration of the older sections of the mother road! I really enjoy watching these & seeing the parts I remember traveling in my youth.

[@lasurvivor47]

Thanks Roamin. I really enjoy watching your videos. Fascinating!

[@ContinuousRefinement]

Until I saw this video, I never realized how winding Old Rt 66 was. The pre-WWII road near Devil's Elbow was very crooked. I had always wondered how the route split off of HWY 28 near the Bobber Cafe; now I realize what happened due to movement of military personnel and equipment, forcing the construction of a new, more navigable Rt 66. The road you travelled in the video is now called "Teardrop" and "Trophy", but it should and could be labelled, "Old-Old Rt. 66".

[@HookedOnRoute66]

You are correct!

[@excuse.me.sir.]

so that grassy path your driving on used to be a paved highway? man, thats pretty fucking cool. i love seeing old abandoned roads.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Joey Noyes yes it was route 66 and yeah, it's pretty fn cool

[@excuse.me.sir.]

Roamin' Rich sweet!! That's so fucking cool man. Something about old abandoned roads. It has that cool factor. To just think all the cars and shit that passed through there. It's kind of like a time machine in itself. Enjoy your videos man. Keep it up

[@twistoffate4791]

I am just eating up this background information on Route 66. I love the usual attractions, but long to see the really early mother road. Thanks.

[@marksmith3870]

Great video Rich! I'm glad to see another video as I don't have Facebook. That area of the Ozarks is without a doubt a beautiful area! Glad to see another one! Mark in Iowa.

[@jeffdahl2678]

I did that drive back in April after the bridge event. I should of went a little further and seen that old gas station in the beginning. Next time. Great video as always.

[@paulskent]

Great Video.. Keep em coming.. Going to be visiting 66 from the UK in September 17

[@northboundvideo9711]

Good investigative work Rich

[@goodluck458]

looks great to me...KEEPUP THE GOOD WORK...I'm gonna be driving my Dodge Roadtrek out there later this year...

[@trains365]

Another great & informative video, thanks for posting! You mentioned a restaurant that burned down and that reminded me about the passing of a California Rt.66 icon. I believe it was back in late July a forest fire on the San Bernadino National Forest at Blue Cut grew quickly and unfortunately burned down the old Summit Inn Restaurant and Motel. Not sure if you knew about this, sorry if this is a repeat.

[@georgebristol9270]

nice video I am from Missouri . I left in the mid fifty's. Been through the area

[@marcusferrier4072]

Thanks so much for this video. I'm a native to Missouri and I don't get back there like would like to.

[@jjclasicas]

Really good job. So this is the route pass before the big cut. Yeah. And that construction at the begining is really a gas station.

[@KJBO1611]

Thanks so much Rich! It was a little shaky but totally worth the watch! While Devils Elbow seems a little eery in parts my wife thinks Doolittle was really creepy. I don't have Facebook so thanks for remembering us!

[@joyceleadbetter2600]

Cable guardrails worked good in preventing cars from bouncing off and going into on coming traffic.

[@bostonbabe8916]

The big machine was used on railroads to lift ties

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Thank you. That makes sense.

[@gruntabro1]

4:28 that appears to be a Bell Super Logger , used for forestry work , think they were manufactured in South Africa and you do find them all around the world , really good machines to drive and operate but are prone to fire as dry debris can collect around the air cooled Diesel engine and catch fire 🔥

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Scary stuff!!!

[@raer1750]

Good job amigo!!!

[@illinoy]

Hi Rich, thanks for the trip. Did you make it back, with a shovel, to the old station with the pillars? And that old rusty clawed machine, any details? Sure was interesting. Loved the video. I’ve Google Earthed the road across the highway but, keep forgetting to actually travel it once I get there. Have fun on the motor tour. Wish a I could join you all.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Yep.... And what a sweet surprise I found. You'll have to call me on this one Penny. I'm not disclosing it publicly.

[@Anthony-bt2vo]

Nice video would like to see a video or your exploring suv plz I love the older obs Chevy 2door blazer or Tahoe plz and thank u

[@HookedOnRoute66]

There are a few of me replacing the engine in it a couple years ago.

[@stevennew2930]

That is on parsons sawmill Property.

[@SylvainLaméricain]

Thanks my friend that’s precious. For us Canadians there something mythical about that road. I’ll try to follow steps next week but we only have three weeks to do all the way Route 66. We going to do it with an VR do you have some advice?

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Get some books and take notes. You can't do everything in 3 weeks, but you'll at least get to see the main attractions all the way from Chicago to LA

[@mrclean28h]

You seem to have the history down pack for the Route 66. I am working a master list with addresses of the attractions which I find hard to narrow down on small areas. Would like to share information so I can complete my route and enter it in my GPX for all to use. So far I am up to AZ from IL once my spreadsheet is complete I will enter in order

[@84jessaud]

I'm only like a hour or two from there I should go check it out

[@KingSlimjeezy]

as someone who's been to devil's elbow, how didn't think you were hearing banjos, you WERE hearing banjos

[@Bigsbeee]

Wow just found you !

[@marymcmaster9189]

Is the traffic noise from I44

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I44 is just about 1,000 to 1,500 feet away, so yes!

[@therenegade2660]

Good video

[@richardschindler8822]

Really enjoy your videos. Stabilized or not. Where do you find all your information about rt.66. You seem to know more than anyone or any book I've come across. I'm retiring next year and have full intention of driving the full road, but probably not to the extent that you do. Do you have a guide, or what guide would you recommend as one definitive to be used for the journey? Thanks

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I've just been researching it for a long time and have a knack for connecting the dots. check out Jerry Mcclanahan book, Route 66 EZ guide.

[@johndixon1879]

richard schindler Definitely get the art.66 EZ guide.

[@shaynestephens]

Rich, may I suggest you revisit Devil's Elbow soon with a steadier camera. The history and location is great but the camera shake is headache causing. :-)

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Yeah. That's a winter project but I agree.

[@travisdunn9825]

Dude, I grew up in devils elbow and my grandfather owned the general store and post office. His name was jiggs miller. Talk you people in the towns you visit. You will learn more than your speculation.

[@travisdunn9825]

Follow up, I’m sorry man. I commented too early. You are doing well man. Please forgive me.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

No problem!

[@cakedude063]

Really enjoy your videos- what percentage of the original 66 is still drive able ? I live near Chicago . Have been thru Wilmington Illinois and saw the original road

[@HookedOnRoute66]

+G Smithe 80% is readily available to drive. Illinois has 2 alignments available to you and both offer amazing views.

[@quagmiredavis4117]

You hear 2 things in that area banjo music or a voice yelling boy you have Purdy mouth .....run .......lmao 🤣

[@midwestgrammar2941]

What part of St Louis that at??

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I'm in the suburbs

[@johnyapple8447]

@roamin’ rich, Do you happen to know what the ruined structure across the street (now Teardrop Rd) from that old gas station you looked at was? It’s a white structure with no roof or windows. Here are the Google Earth coordinates: 37°51’08”N 92°04’04”W.

[@home3363308]

It was an old store and gas station, closed in the 70's.

[@mannyortega6733]

You ever find and old 66 signs?

[@HookedOnRoute66]

I used to. I haven't found any major road relics in a few years. I mostly find old license plates, bottles, general litter from decades past.

[@generalkickass6385]

So my guess is that route66 ran a long way I assume all thru Missouri and illinois and a couple other states are am I wrong

[@HookedOnRoute66]

general kick ass Illinois Missouri Kansas Oklahoma Texas New Mexico Arizona California

[@nadinamedlin3432]

i walked it, wasnt gonna drive it

[@debbiefritts-boyce5118]

I think that machine is an old backhoe.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Actually I think it's for grabbing up rail road ties.

[@debbiefritts-boyce5118]

@@HookedOnRoute66 Could be, I only saw the scoop.

[@GlynRobinson]

It's a shame that the county will not mow sections like this. I understand the liability, but still.

[@johnsheldon7716]

Very interesting, but very hard to watch due to the excessive camera movement.

[@kevinbarrett5315]

im kevin barrett im going to travel the rout 66 in about 1 to 2 years in an old 1949 dodge power wagon 4x4 with a cummins egn pulling a small 5th weel camper just my girl friend and I hope to see the devils elbow thanks

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Kevin Barrett there's plenty to see here and some camping areas nearby. Plenty of fishing and boating too

[@kevinbarrett5315]

thanks

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

👍

[@Stonecoldcwbys]

WOW He's a cutie!!!

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Thanks!

[@jasonburns6411]

Love your videos Rich, but this was almost unwatchable with the poor stabilization.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

+Jason Burns thanks for the feedback. My stabilizer will be here soon. Sorry

[@swankmotee]

Love the video except for the excessive shaking and turning it on yourself in the car. Just leave it pointed out the window at the road.

[@martinbrouwer5515]

Great video but very hard to watch with the jumpy camera.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Yep. It had a glitch

[@84jessaud]

watch out for the tweakers

[@martyjoseph9507]

Yes, at the start of the video is where I ran into one. Seemed nice enough, but it was evident and the overly friendly dog scratched the heck out of my door without the owner batting an eye. Interesting, and I have a broad spectrum of what I call normal.

[@hotrod639]

Video is messed up bigtime

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Yeah. We know.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

New version will get made this winter

[@dm.2023]

nice footage but jesus, get a dashcam so the video isn't so jerky while you're driving

[@HobbyTimeSeattle]

You need a camera stabilizer. Badly. You videos would be 100x better with one.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

+Danny Carlson yep I know. I ordered a special one 2 months ago and it should be here soon

[@garryhatchett775]

Interesting content but the jerky videography is difficult to watch.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

Yep. It was a camera glitch that day. Really sucks because it was a fun time shooting it.

[@Stringbean421]

Stop pointing the friggin camera to your face. I wanna see the road and scenery dude as you were driving along. We can still hear what you have to say.

[@JRBlood]

I'm sorry, Rich, but this is unwatchable. I don't know if it was KZbin or something else trying to stabilize the video, but it's too painful to watch.

[@HookedOnRoute66]

+JRBlood sorry. I have a stabilizer on order. I used my phone and should've known better