Chamber Book 2023 Final

The Union fort’s mission was to protect the
Old Wire Road. A historical marker on Fort
Street is all that remains.
As the Civil War escalated in Missouri,
many Waynesville residents left.
Men joined either the Union Army or
Confederate militias
or guerilla groups;
women and children
moved to safer
territory in Illinois.
Farms, homes, and
businesses were
looted and destroyed
or burned. Many
residents never
returned; those that
did, found their homes
destroyed, overgrown,
and livestock lost.
The Old Stagecoach Stop was turned into
a hospital to treat wounded soldiers. Since
its construction, the structure has stood as a
silent witness of the eras of Pulaski County
history.
It survived through the settlement. Civil
War, reconstruction, the traffic on Route
66 and World War II. Always evolving with
the times, the Stagecoach Stop was also used
at varying points in history as a hospital,
dentist’s office, and now contains a room
with excavation artifacts, a display of WWII
memorabilia and the Museum Shop.
Stagecoaches soon made way for railroads,
and by 1926, automobiles became a popular
method of travel. The U.S. government
commissioned a 2,400 mile road that
would travel from Chicago, Illinois, to
Santa Monica, California, the road would
span 10 counties and 300 miles in Missouri
and would travel through the heart of
Waynesville. The construction of the U.S.
Route 66 through Waynesville opened up an
economy outside of agriculture for the area.
Old Stagecoach Stop Foundatlon restored and
maintains what is probably the most prominent
historic location In Pulaski County.
Originally a gravel state road, Route 66
follows an ancient ridge that was trod by
migrating game and traveled by Indians in
search of food. Before the Civil War, white
settlers knew the route as the St. Louis to
Springfield Road.
It became a communication corridor
during the Civil War.
Eventually business
enterprises, such as
motels, restaurants,
a hillbilly store, and
Ozark basket sellers
settled along the road.
They served as catalysts
for the area’s growth.
Modern day travelers of
the route are offered a
glimpse into American
and Pulaski County history. A drive along
the scenic road is dotted with remnants of
old businesses, renovated shops, panoramic
views and dramatic rock formations.
The construction of Fort Leonard Wood
during World War II launched the county’s
last 50 years of growth and development and
spurred the rise of St. Robert. Established in
1940, the post served as an infantry division
training area for World War II soldiers.
Fort Leonard Wood quickly took on an
engineer training mission until the end of
World War II in 1945. During
the Korean War Fort Leonard Wood served
as a training facility again. The post was
briefly deactivated, but the military demands
of the Cold War and aggressive efforts by
local community leaders led to the decision
to make Fort Leonard Wood a permanent
installation, resulting in a significant increase
in training load, troop numbers, and building
construction.
Continued on page 14
12