Missouri's Wicked Route 66 History

Missouri's Wicked Route 66 uncovers the darker side of America's most famous highway, revealing the forgotten stories of crime, violence, and mystery that unfolded along the historic Mother Road. While Route 66 is often remembered for classic diners, vintage automobiles, roadside attractions, and family road trips, Missouri also witnessed a fascinating history filled with notorious outlaws, dangerous criminals, and strange local legends.

Throughout Missouri's Wicked Route 66, readers discover how the highway served as an important travel route for infamous figures such as Bonnie and Clyde, Jesse James, and the Young brothers. In addition to carrying tourists and travelers, Route 66 became a pathway for smugglers transporting contraband and for criminals seeking to evade capture. These stories reveal a hidden side of the highway that rarely appears in traditional travel guides or nostalgic postcards.

The book also explores chilling locations and remarkable events connected to the road's history. Readers visit places such as Devil's Elbow and the Steffleback Bordello, while uncovering tales involving lynch mobs, murderous hitchhikers, and so-called mad scientists. These lesser-known stories add depth to Missouri's rich folklore and demonstrate how the state's section of Route 66 became associated with mystery and intrigue.

Written for history enthusiasts and Route 66 fans alike, Missouri's Wicked Route 66 offers an engaging collection of true stories that blend local history, folklore, and true crime. Through carefully researched accounts, Missouri's Wicked Route 66 preserves the hidden history of the Mother Road and invites readers to experience one of the most intriguing chapters in Missouri's past.