A meeting of the Waynesville (Mo.) Economic Development Committee contained a few items that should be of some interest to Route 66 aficionados. The Waynesville Daily Guide had the details.
- A businesswoman proposed that residents and businesses share in the cost to sponsor historic-looking lights to improve nighttime visibility along the Route 66 bridge over Roubidoux Creek west of downtown. A similar project was rejected by state officials, but officials plan to attend a seminar Jan. 22 by the Missouri Department of Transportation to see whether they can improve their chances of winning a grant.
- The committee learned that a grant may be available from the county tourism bureau for promoting the Trail of Tears, the route taken by American Indians when they were forcably deported to what is now Oklahoma. Some committee members said they’d like to see markers or historic displays along the trail route. The trail passed through Waynesville along what now is Route 66.
- Wayneville is taking a look at flood control in the downtown area, which Route 66 runs through. The town is surrounded by mountains, and runoff sometimes inundates downtown after heavy rains. Also, much of downtown was built on a natural spring, which exacerbates the problem.