Missouri Route 66 State Park

As we leave St. Louis, our first stop is Route 66 State Park, a sprawling 424 acre park located along the historic Route 66 corridor. What makes this stop especially interesting is that the park sits on the former site of Times Beach, a small community that once stood along the Meramec River.

Times Beach began as a resort community in the 1920s and eventually became a permanent town. In the early 1980s, however, the town became the center of a major environmental disaster. Waste oil that had been sprayed on the unpaved streets to control dust was discovered to be contaminated with dangerous levels of dioxin. The Environmental Protection Agency stepped in, homes were purchased and removed, and the contaminated area underwent an extensive cleanup. Once the cleanup was completed, the property was eventually transformed into Route 66 State Park.

Meramec River Route 66 Bridge

I did not see much evidence of the old town during our visit, but there are still a few reminders of Times Beach scattered throughout the park. One trail passes remnants of the former community, including a capped monitoring well and the area known as the “Town Mound,” where remains of the old structures were buried.

One of the most impressive sights is the historic Meramec River Route 66 Bridge. Completed in 1932, this massive steel truss bridge once carried travelers along the Mother Road across the Meramec River. It is more than 1,000 feet long and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately, the bridge is now closed to traffic, and its decking was removed in 2010 to help preserve the aging structure.

The park itself is a peaceful contrast to the difficult history of the area. There are several relatively easy trails, wooded areas, river views, picnic spots, and plenty of opportunities to watch birds and wildlife. The park is also home to the former Bridgehead Inn, a 1935 Route 66 roadhouse that now serves as the visitor center and contains Route 66 memorabilia and exhibits about the history of the road and Times Beach.

It is a great place to stop for a while, stretch your legs, take a few short walks through nature, and let your imagination wander. Standing here, it is hard not to think about what this place must have looked like seventy or eighty years ago, when families traveled Route 66, the bridge carried traffic across the river, and Times Beach was a busy little community along the Mother Road. Today, nature has reclaimed much of the area, but the history is still here if you take the time to look for it.