Discover Villa Ridge: History Along Route 66
Accommodation in Villa Ridge
Villa Ridge can be understood through its history along Route 66 and the U.S. highways that once ran through the town. Roadside stops and places to stay reveal different aspects of traveling by road. If you’re looking for a hotel and are also interested in historic routes, Villa Ridge offers a specific connection to that theme.
Villa Ridge and Historic Route 66
In 1926, U.S. Highways 66 and 50 ran through Villa Ridge. This date marks the highway alignment at the time and places the town’s history within the development of the U.S. highway network. Route 66’s history can also be seen at individual former roadside stops and places to stay.
One possible Route 66 tour can begin at its eastern end on the border with Gray Summit and head west along old Route 66, now Highway AT, to the Wayside Stop. The Wayside Stop is located at 3302 MO-100 in Villa Ridge and is part of the Route 66 roadside sequence. Check the current route and road conditions before setting out.
Roadside Stops and Lodging
The Diamonds Restaurant building in Villa Ridge was built in 1950 along historic Route 66. The site included a truck stop with sleeping rooms and showers. This combination of a stop, overnight accommodations, and showers illustrates the site’s practical role in road travel.
Stropman’s Camp at 1128 Highway AT included cabins as well as a store and office building. The Sunset Motel in the 400 block of Highway AT served as lodging. The two examples differ in their layout: Stropman’s Camp combined cabins, a store, and an office, while the Sunset Motel focused on providing lodging.
These places add more to Route 66’s history than just a highway alignment. They show different uses along the route: a truck stop with sleeping rooms and showers, a camp with cabins, and a motel providing lodging. This makes it possible to distinguish their historic functions without grouping them all under a single type of roadside stop.
Café History and Place Names
Dining is also part of Villa Ridge’s history. Key’s Twin Bridge Cafe was a restaurant at 1370 Highway AT and opened in 1948. Its name referred to the Key family and the two bridges that crossed the Bourbeuse River. The original café was later demolished.
The name thus links a family history with a specific reference to the river. The café also adds another function to the history of the roadside establishments: while the truck stop had sleeping rooms and showers and the Sunset Motel provided lodging, Key’s Twin Bridge Cafe was a restaurant. These different connections help place the town’s history along Highway AT in context.
Another Place to Visit
St John the Baptist Gildehaus Church in Villa Ridge offers a different point of interest from the historic roadside stops. Services are scheduled for Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, with additional times on holidays. Service schedules can change, so check the current times before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Union, New Haven, Sullivan, Saint Clair, Pacific.
View the broader travel guide: Franklin County.
