Waynesville Downtown Walking Tour Preview

1

Former Hayes Creamee

FORMER HAYES CREAMEE, Historic Route 66 and MO-17: In the late 1950s, Dallas and Harold Wells opened a laundry pick-up and drop-off site in a small, frame building at this junction. During the early ‘60s the building became Hayes Creamee, a hamburger and ice cream joint owned by Dan and Maudie Hayes. Today, the site is occupied by a planter and a Waynesville sign. Peek behind the fence and you can see the old foundation.

2

George M. Reed Building

GEORGE M. REED BUILDING, Next door to 407 Historic Route 66: One door west of 407 Historic Route 66 and hidden behind a false front and awning is this two-story concrete block building constructed in 1911 by then-postmaster George M. Reed, for whom a roadside park in nearby Saint Robert is named. The building contained the post office, Reed’s law and abstract office, and apartments on the upper level.

3

Old Stagecoach Stop

OLD STAGECOACH STOP, 106 N. Lynn St.: The original log building was built by William Walton McDonald in the mid-1850s. The original structure was two log cabins connected by an open “dogtrot.” One cabin was used as a residence and the other as a stop for passengers on the Burden & Woodson stage route. During the Civil War, the building was commandeered by Union forces and used as a hospital. During the Fort Leonard Wood boom of World War II, military service members and their families boarded here. The building now houses the Old Stagecoach Stop Museum.

4

Security Bank of Pulaski County

SECURITY BANK OF PULASKI COUNTY, 110 Lynn St.: After the old Waynesville State Bank went into voluntary liquidation, Waynesville Security Bank opened for business on Feb. 1, 1936. In August 1957, Waynesville Security Bank contracted to purchase this location, the former home site of John T. Rollins, to build a new, modern bank building.

5

Talbot House Marker

TALBOT HOUSE MARKER, 405 North St.: The Talbot House was built in 1885 by the Rev. Albert Washington Davis, a pastor of Waynesville Methodist Church. He died at the age of 26 in 1888, just three years after constructing the house. His widow turned the home into a hotel named The Pulaski House. Dr. Charles A. Talbot bought the house in 1920. After Dr. Talbot’s death in 1945, his widow rented rooms to boarders. The house is now a private residence. Please read the historic marker from the sidewalk.

6

Korean Baptist Church formally Waynesville Methodist Church

KOREAN BAPTIST CHURCH, 210 N. Lynn St.: This church, formerly Waynesville Methodist Church, was built in 1945. However, the first Methodist church constructed on this site was completed in 1887. Organized before the Civil War, founder Wilson M. Tilley decided the settlers needed a church. Tilley rode on horseback in search of a preacher. Services were held at the Tilley’s farmhouse once a month by a Methodist circuit rider but were interrupted by both the Civil War and Tilley's death. Stories differ, but most agree that Tilley was hanged by bushwhackers.

7

Former Tuts Cafe No. 1, Waynesville MO

FORMER TUTS CAFÉ NO. 1, 305 North St.: During August 1943, “chef deluxe” Nelson “Tut” Royalty opened Tuts Café in the eastern half of this building, then known as the Brisch Building. In 1948, Royalty moved to Columbia, MO, to operate the Model Café. He sold the Columbia restaurant in 1951, returned to Waynesville, and resumed management of Tuts Café No. 1. The café held a “quitting business” auction in October 1958.

8

Former Pulaski County Jail

FORMER PULASKI COUNTY JAIL, Northeast corner of the square: For many years, across the street from the Rollins home site sat a squat, concrete block building that housed the Pulaski County Jail. Though the construction date is unknown, by 1961 the Pulaski County sheriff had abandoned the dilapidated jail and was housing his prisoners 30 miles away in Lebanon. The derelict condition of the jail was the talk of the town when residents discovered two prisoners had escaped, burglarized businesses around the square, and returned to the jail with their stolen loot. In January 1976, a new jail was built on the square. In 2020, another new jail was constructed one block north at the site of the former Waynesville Junior High School.

9

Route 66 - Birthplace of the Byway

BIRTHPLACE OF THE HISTORIC BYWAY, 301 Historic Route 66: Though Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, the nostalgia for the Mother Road lives on through pop culture as well as the communities once served by the transcontinental highway. Missouri became the first state to assign historic status to Route 66 when a legislative bill sponsored by Missouri State Representatives Jim Mitchell of Richland and J. Dan Woodall of Springfield won unanimous support in the General Assembly. On July 10, 1990, then-Gov. John Ashcroft signed House Bill 1629 into law in front of the Pulaski County Courthouse, designating Missouri’s 317-mile stretch of Route 66 as a historic roadway and cementing Waynesville’s status as the Birthplace of the Byway.

10

World War I Cannon

WORLD WAR I CANNON, 303 Historic Route 66: The World War I cannon made its return as a fixture on the square in December 2010. Many years ago, the cannon was removed by a group of local boys as part of a Halloween prank — it was struck by an automobile and damaged. Luther Thomas, a prominent area businessman, offered to take the cannon off the county’s hands, then had it restored. For many years, the cannon “guarded” the entrance to Old Farm Estates (west Waynesville area) before being rededicated by members of the Thomas family.

11

1903 Courthouse Museum formerly Pulaski County Courthouse

1903 COURTHOUSE MUSEUM, 303 Historic Route 66: Pulaski County’s fourth courthouse was designed by Henry H. Hohenschild. Bricks were fired nearby at Dr. Tice’s farm. Look for the original Stromboli fan with wooden blades hanging in the old county clerk’s office. On the wooden stairway leading to the second floor, the original decorative spindle balustrade is just like it was in 1903. Visitors can see the original oak ceiling with exposed rafters and joints in the courtroom — an example of superb craftsmanship.

12

8-Foot Route 66 Shield

ROUTE 66 SHIELD, 303 Historic Route 66: The 8-foot Route 66 Shield sits on the 1903 Courthouse Museum’s front lawn, the brainchild of Tim Berrier of Lone Oak Printing. From his shop window across the street, Berrier saw many visitors driving down Route 66 and walking around the square, prompting him to envision a huge Route 66 shield that could be used as a selfie stop. Berrier gathered numerous individuals and businesses to sponsor the sculpture, which was installed in 2020.

13

Bloodland Methodist Church Bell

BLOODLAND METHODIST CHURCH BELL, 303 Historic Route 66: Bloodland was once a thriving community in the middle of the area selected by the Department of the Army to build Fort Leonard Wood. In 1941, there were three general stores, three filling stations, two churches, two barbershops, a stave mill, a tomato canning factory, a brand-new high school, and 120 inhabitants. The residents of Bloodland and the surrounding area had to leave their homes by July 1941 and workers began tearing everything down. The Bloodland Methodist Church was probably organized in the late 1800s; the church building was constructed around 1900. Many Bloodland families attended the church and are buried in its cemetery. The cemetery remains today and is maintained by Fort Leonard Wood.

14

Route 66 Courthouse Hidden in Plain Sight?

ROUTE 66 COURTHOUSE HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT? 303 Historic Route 66: Located on the back side of the Pulaski County Courthouse Museum. On the evening of June 3, 1903, a lightning strike hit the Pulaski County Courthouse. The ensuing fire destroyed the building. By his quick thinking, County Clerk Edward G. Williams was able to rescue many of the county documents and records. In July 1903, State Architect Henry H. Hohenschild, contractor Edward Long, and builder William Mitchell — all from Rolla, MO, and all Freemasons — began construction of the new courthouse. Above the front door at the attic level is what is described as a shield, which is also replicated on the back side of the building. The shield may be construed to consist of a square, a level, an oblong square, and a plumb. There is no official cornerstone, and whether Williams or any of the three county commissioners — George W. Berry, John B. Harvey, and Jesse M. Curtis — were Freemasons or knew of what may have been Masonic emblems hidden in plain sight is unknown. An image of the shield was submitted to the officers of the Missouri Lodge of Research. Opinions were mixed as to whether it might have Masonic significance.

15

Former Public Health Department, Waynesville MO

FORMER PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER, Northwest corner of the square on North and Benton Street: Public health was a challenge in Waynesville in the 1940s. The small village was unequipped to handle the massive population boom Fort Leonard Wood brought to the area. This $30,000 building was built with Public Works Administration grants and contained 19 rooms, two lobbies, four restrooms, and a large auditorium. It opened in November 1942. The land is now home to the Waynesville Square Gazebo which is utilized for festivals and available for wedding rentals.

16

First Baptist Church of Waynesville

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 202 N. Benton St.: Baptist churches were also among the earliest to be established in the Waynesville area. The First Baptist Church was organized in 1880, and the first church building, a log structure, was located at this site in 1887. Two other buildings replaced the original before the stone structure housing the current fellowship hall was built in 1936.

17

Baker Hotel Marker

BAKER HOTEL MARKER, Benton and North Streets: Built prior to 1907, this building was originally a stick-built structure by blacksmith, liveryman, and mail carrier Lee Baker. The structure was rebuilt and enlarged to 26 bedrooms after a fire around 1914. During World War II, military service members and families from the Fort Leonard Wood boom lodged here. During the 1960s, the hotel was converted into apartments. The brick building was ravaged by fire in 1967 and again in 1969.

18

Wilson-Long Building

WILSON-LONG BUILDING, 119-123 N. Benton St.: This building, constructed for Roy C. Wilson and V.V. Long, was completed June 1942. The first story housed the Greyhound Bus Depot and the Pulaski County Democrat office. Shortly after the structure was completed, the second story housed offices for the mayor and other city officials. In early 1943, the Pulaski County Selective Service Board (draft board) was located on the second floor.

19

Talbot Post Office Building

TALBOT POST OFFICE BUILDING, 117 N. Benton St.: Also constructed in 1941 for Dr. Charles A. Talbot, this building was completed in May and was first used as the Waynesville Post Office. Less than two years, later the Pulaski County Democrat ran a headline stating, “POST OFFICE BUILDING HERE NOT BIG ENOUGH.”

20

Roubidoux Plaza, Waynesville, MO

ROUBIDOUX PLAZA, 115 N. Benton St.: The plaza’s footprint occupies two former storefronts. The southern half was once home to Dodd’s General Store while the northern half housed Waynesville’s first movie theater. The WayneTheater opened in April 1941, early in the Fort Leonard Wood boom. Later, both buildings were used as Pete Rouse’s Western Auto Associate Store until the business burned. Today, Roubidoux Plaza is a nice, quiet spot to sit and people watch or enjoy a patio picnic from any of Waynesville’s Downtown restaurants.

21

Talbot 1941 Building

TALBOT BUILDING, 107 N. Benton St.: This building was constructed in 1941 for Dr. Charles A. Talbot and was completed in September. Talbot operated City Drug Store on the lower level while Dr. Clyde Miller tended to patients on the second level.

22

Rigsby Station and Home

RIGSBY HOUSE, 103 N. Benton St.: In 1924, Claude and Evalina Rigsby bought this house, which stands on Lots 6 and 7 in Block 4 of the original town of Waynesville. The foundation is made of rough-hewn logs and was constructed in the 1870s by Judge Vandover Berry Hill. The Rigsbys operated their Standard Service station next door to this home for more than three decades.RIGSBY BUILDING & MARKER, 229 Historic Route 66: This building was constructed in 1951 by Claude Rigsby. It replaced a frame building that had been built in 1941 to house his wife’s (Evalina) beauty parlor. The new brick building’s first story housed a barber shop, a beauty parlor, and a three-room apartment. The second story included two three-room apartments.

23

Rigsby Building, Waynesville, MO

RIGSBY BUILDING, 229 HISTORIC ROUTE 66: This building was constructed in 1951 by Claude Rigsby. It replaced a frame building that had been built in 1941 to house his wife’s (Evalina) beauty parlor. The new brick building’s first story housed a barbershop, a beauty parlor, and a three-room apartment. The second story included two three-room apartments. In the 60s-80s this building was known as Rexall Drug, (Seda's Gift Shoppe 2003-2018), until 2018 the south side of the building bore scars from a semi-truck crashing into it in the early 1980s. The tractor-trailer lost its brakes while coming down Waynesville Hill. The Rexall Drug Store sign is now located within the 1903 Courthouse Museum.

24

Waynesville Murals & Artwork

WAYNESVILLE MURALS & ARTWORK, 225 Historic Route 66 & 211 Historic Route 66: Overlooking Historic Route 66, these public artworks stand as testaments to the creative inspiration carried along the Mother Road throughout the 20th century. Learn more about works of art adorning Downtown Waynesville on pages 20-21.

25

Original City Hall & Fire Department

ORIGINAL CITY HALL & FIRE DEPARTMENT, 201 North St.: Most likely constructed between 1941-1943, this building originally served as Waynesville City Hall and Fire Department. The tower-like structure atop the building housed a siren that sounded when there was a fire to alert firefighters

26

Waynesville City Park (Also named Roubidoux Park)

ROUBIDOUX PARK, Olive Street and Roubidoux Drive: Also known as Waynesville City Park, this public green space includes a concrete walking trail with access to Roubidoux Spring and the Trail of Tears Memorial at Laughlin Park. On the north end of the national walking trail is a forested trail within the Missouri Conservation Area, which is a great spot for birding. A great place to stop and relax, the park also includes pavilions, a splash pad, and the accessible-for-all playground at Little Heroes Park.

27

Totem Pole

TOTEM POLE, Olive Street and Roubidoux Drive: Located at Roubidoux Park across the street from Little Heroes Playground, this totem pole was created by members of a local woodcarving club in the late 1980s.

28

Roubidoux Ford (Former Bridge, Waynesville, MO)

ROUBIDOUX FORD & FORMER BRIDGE, Western end of North Street: This site was the location where early pioneers and settlers crossed — or forded — Roubidoux Creek before the steel bridge was constructed in 1911. Steel for the bridge was shipped by rail to Crocker and hauled to Waynesville by wagon team. The completed bridge cost just less than $4,000. It was replaced in 1923 by a new bridge 350 feet upstream.

29

Roubidoux Bridge

ROUBIDOUX BRIDGE, HISTORIC ROUTE 66: This concrete arch bridge was built in 1923 as part of a State Highway 14 road improvement project. The bridge was designed by Missouri State Highway Commission and was built by Koss Construction Company for $44,035. The bridge was 415 feet long and was widened in 1939, 16 years after the road was designated as Route 66, to accommodate a sidewalk for pedestrians. It has remained unaltered since and is the last example of a five-span, filled concrete spandrel bridge in Missouri

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30

Memorial Chapel (Formerly Bell Hotel)

MEMORIAL CHAPEL (FORMERLY BELL HOTEL), 202 Historic Route 66: The Bell Hotel, on the banks of the Roubidoux River, was constructed around a one-room cabin. Parts of that structure are still visible inside the buildingtoday. The hotel began meeting the needs of auto tourists from the very beginning of Route 66. Today, the building is operated as Memorial Chapel & Crematory of Waynesville.

31

Bell Garage - Safety Garage

BELL GARAGE — SAFETY GARAGE, 206 Historic Route 66: Bell Garage included a café and Sinclair gas station/garage next to the hotel. The building has been repurposed and is now a florist shop.

32

Formerly Mallows Market/Owls Cafe

FORMER MALLOWS MARKET/OWLS CAFÉ, 307 Historic Route 66: The Owl Café was in front of Carl Brisch’s garage building on the south side of Route 66 in West Waynesville. It was operated by Mr. Martin, closed, but reopened in 1943 when Lucille Ransdall bought the business. She operated The Owl until 1955. The building was later acquired by Mr. Merrion Mallow, who opened a grocery store.

34

Roubidoux Spring/Underwater Cave

ROUBIDOUX SPRING/UNDERWATER CAVE, 100 Historic Route 66 East: Pack a swimsuit — plunging into the cool, pristine waters of this natural swimming hole is a favorite pastime for locals and visitors alike. This freshwater spring is the 16th largest in Missouri and discharges an average of 37 million gallons of water each day. The clear waters are also home to a submarine labyrinth of caves, which are internationally renowned for certified cave and cavern diving. All divers must register with the Waynesville Police Department before entering.

35

Victory Pub Marker

VICTORY PUB MARKER, 218 Historic Route 66: Victory Pub was established by Greek immigrant George Morris in 1942. The pub was beloved by neighboring Fort Leonard Wood soldiers and Route 66 travelers for almost 70 years before being demolished in 2011 to make way for the DMV building. The marker is located on the west facing side of the building.

36

Former Bank of Waynesville Building

FORMER BANK OF WAYNESVILLE, 100 S. Benton St.: Constructed in 1904 on land purchased from attorney Joe McGregor, the Bank of Waynesville was housed in the lower level with the second story divided into offices. George M. Reed’s abstract business was one of the first tenants. In 1917, the bank’s safe was robbed by Jink Starling and his gang of yeggmen. A gunfight broke out between the bandits and citizens. A posse was formed to catch the fleeing gang, but the robbers escaped. Starling was later apprehended, tried, convicted, and sentenced to 20 years at the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City.

37

Lone Oak Printing Co, Waynesville, MO

LONE OAK PRINTING, 66 Historic Route 66: This concrete block building was completed in 1906 by Waynesville grocer Joseph Martin Long. The first floor housed Long’s store and the post office while the second story contained the opera house, which was used for public performances. From the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, the location operated asfashion stores. Step inside Lone Oak Printing to view an array of vintage photographs.