Abandoned Route 66 Famous Hooker Cut-Missouri 1943 four lane highway? Read Why!!

Also Check Out: www.stuffthatsgone.com I have stepped out of my normal Pennsylvania "things that are abandoned" mode and have arrived on one of the most famous four lane highway sections in the US, on Route 66 Pulaski County Missouri, Hooker Cut. One of the earlier alignments was so dangerous, they referred to is as the "Devils Elbow". That alignment was no longer used after 1941. Due to having to cut through solid rock to form a new alignment, it was decided that this section of Route 66 should be made a four-lane highway, unheard of for the times. The cut they made was the deepest ever attempted and referred to afterward as the "Hooker Cut" possibly after a nearby town, competing with the Pennsylvania Turnpike's "Little Panama" near Bedford for the deepest cut attempted in highway construction. One of the most scenic drives on Route 66, that was built to carry traffic to and from Fort Leonard Wood during World War II. The first twisting, narrow stretch of Route 66 through Devil's Elbow was obviously not adequate for the many moving men and equipment and the new four lane stretch was completed in 1943. Today, most of this old four-lane is still original and is in very good condition considering its age. Passing through the steep bluffs of the Big Piney River, the Hooker Cut was one of the deepest road cuts in the nation at the time of its construction.

Interestingly, the curbs along this stretch of road are inclined towards the roadway. This was a common building practice at the time, as it was believed that such a design would keep cars from going off the road. However, they soon found out that the curb design actually caused cars to overturn and was soon discontinued.
This section is easily asscessable and travelled by Rt 66 geeks like myself, but today it was for all intents and purposes, abandoned. It was bypassed when Interstate 44 was built in the 1960's. What a great movie set!!!
Let the arguments begin--was this first or was the PA turnpike the first four lane? I know, it opened on October 1, 1940 and was continuous, limited access...so perhaps we give a nod to the turnpike. My lifeline dream to trace Rt 66 in missouri is now complete!!!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Route 66
• Hooker Cut
• Pulaski County
• Missouri
• Abandoned
• Four Lane Highway

[mahpiohazi]

Great video but this portion is not 'abandoned'. It's still in use, otherwise the blue Route 66 Byway signs would not be posted there....nor would it be mowed. For a truly abandoned section of Route 66, try near Vernelles and John's Modern Cabins....the section is only about 1/10th of a mile, not mowed, dead ends into weeds. You will also find abandoned original highway 44. Treat it well.

[theqman1956]

@mahpiohazi sorry I get more views with that keyword...sometimes you have to use artistic license

[mrforrrest]

Looks like someone has been mowing the grass --- so it can't be totally abandoned. And there are driveways intersecting. My guess is that it's being maintained by the county or other local government.

Anyway, good video --- and I'm guessing that's the original 1941 concrete.

[theqman1956]

@mrforrrest  You're right...the word Abandoned gets me more views.... Loved doing the video

[almadenmike]

FYI .. A link to this video has been posted on the Route 66 News blog: (h t t p -- colon-slash-slash -- rwarn17588.wordpress - dot - com/2010/08/06/a-cruise-throug­h-hooker-cut/

[theqman1956]

I'll take that as a compliment!

[mahpiohazi]

Again, this a great video with a wonderful explanation of Hooker Cut. But the repeated usage of the word 'abandoned' as well as using 'abandoned' in the title in order to just get views is, well, not really necessary. Any Route 66 enthusiast looking for 'not so well known' alignments is going to check out your video. I was just on Hooker Cut yesterday and it's by no means abandoned. Is it extremely 'original'? By all means yes, it's like a time machine. But abandoned? No.

[phyllis1753]

Cool. I was born in Fayetteville, AR in '53 and my dad's folks lived in Alton, IL so we'd regularly go up for visits on US 66 between Springfield and STL. I can still remember this stretch of road watching your vid; and it's been 50 years since I was last on it.

[pci7763]

thats cool being on the highway all by yourself

[loungelizard5000]

Wow...thanks for sharing this.....I drove this road while stationed at Ft Leonard Wodd back in the 80's. I believe it was just out the back gate. Brings back some memories !

[jdizzlelindsay]

I grew up in Devil's Elbow and often rode my moped along that road many times to and from my friend's house. They repaved the OLD RT 66 thats up on the hill from the 4 lane section. I wouldn't call the road abandoned by any stretch of the word however. Its just a small area. People live in St. Robert, Waynesville, or Ft. Leonard Wood...not In Devil's Elbow or Hooker anymore. Just the old locals. The State still fixes pot holes and such on the road but heavy duty maintenance isn't needed.

[390merc65]

@whatihave2do you heard right...i live in pa,,and have been to the abandoned turnpike 3 times..sideling hill tunnel is about a 1.1/4 miles long...its ironic...on that stretch of old turnpike is the longest and the shortest tunnels built and they are about 5 miles from each other ...it's worth a trip there,,,and if you go..take a very good flashlite with you ,,sideling hill tunnel is so long if you stand at one end ,,you can not see the other side