~The Underwater World Beneath our Feet on the Mother Road ~

A view from the banks of the Roubidoux Spring where swimmers and divers enter the clear and cold water. Photo Credit: Jax Welborn

The water is up here as Spring rains often increase the volume of water of both the Spring and the Creek which swells over its bank into the Spring. Photo Credit: Jax Welborn

You Don't Know Waynesville...

This is the fifth post in my "You Don't Know Waynesville" series. Stay tuned as we uncover more hidden history and obscure traditions from our Route 66 town. What should I cover next? Let me know in the comments.

The Roubidoux Spring has drawn people to its banks for thousands of years—first Native Americans, then pioneers on the Wire Road, Cherokee families during the Trail of Tears, and countless Route 66 travelers seeking respite along the Mother Road. Today, this natural wonder continues to captivate visitors with its brilliant turquoise waters and mysterious depths, serving as both a beloved community gathering place and a world-class destination for technical cave divers. What lies beneath these crystal-clear waters is a story millions of years in the making, revealed only to those brave enough to explore the darkness below.

Stand at the edge of Roubidoux Spring in Roy Laughlin Memorial Park, in Waynesville, Missouri and you’re looking at more than a beautiful swimming spot—you’re standing above one of America’s most extraordinary underwater cave systems, powered by millions of gallons of water surging from deep within the Ozarks.

An Underground River

Beneath Route 66 in downtown Waynesville lies an 11,000+ foot underwater cave system that has captivated cave divers for decades. Divers have explored passages extending 11,256 feet with depths plunging to 270 feet. These aren’t quick recreational dives—a single exploration dive of the Roubidoux Spring cave system takes 16 hours to complete.

You can see and/or purchase their map here:

https://www.ocda.org/roubidouxmap/

The Ozark Cave Diving Alliance maintains a permit allowing them to dive the site, continuing exploration of this subterranean wonder. The modern era of Roubidoux cave diving began in 1969 when Don Rimbach and John Viper cleared the spring opening and became the first known divers to enter the spring’s depths.

A Torrent from the Deep

But here’s what makes Roubidoux Spring truly remarkable: while divers explore miles of passages below, the spring pumps out an average of 37 million gallons of crystal-clear water every single day. During peak flow conditions, that volume surges to 47 million gallons daily—enough to fill approximately 71 Olympic-sized swimming pools every 24 hours. This constant flow ranks it as Missouri’s 16th largest spring.

Vintage Route 66 postcards proudly proclaimed “Big Spring, Waynesville, MO - Maximum Flow 47,000,000 Gallons Per Day, On U.S. Highway 66,” advertising this natural wonder to travelers on the Mother Road. The spring has been pumping this enormous volume for millennia.

Layers of History Above and Below

That same water where children splash today, where you can dip your toes on a summer afternoon, has witnessed centuries of human history. Cherokee detachments stopped at this very spring during the Trail of Tears in the late 1830s. Civil War soldiers drank from it. Early Route 66 travelers marveled at it and sent postcards home featuring its turquoise waters.

In 1940, Dr. Ralph Ogden DeWitt recognized the spring’s significance when he built Pulaski County’s first modern hospital on the bluff overlooking Roubidoux Spring. His 15-bed hospital featured operating and delivery rooms, with his own residence in the building. The view from Dr. DeWitt’s hospital, captured in historical photographs, shows the same spectacular spring formation that draws visitors today.

Then and Now: 80 Years of Photography

The remarkable consistency of Roubidoux Spring across eight decades is captured in paired photographs: W.H. Pohl’s 1944 image from the Missouri State Archives DNR Geology and Mines Photograph Collection shows the spring’s limestone bluff and clear pool, while 2024 photographs document the same geological features, the same crystalline water, even the same view from the hillside that Dr. DeWitt would have seen from his hospital.

A Living Landmark

Roubidoux Spring represents a rare intersection of natural wonder, recreational opportunity, and technical diving challenge—all within Roy Laughlin Memorial Park. While most cities might fence off such a feature or commercialize it extensively, Waynesville maintains it as an accessible community space where the spring’s history and natural beauty remain central.

From above, you see the spring’s brilliant turquoise waters. From below, cave divers navigate through over two miles of underwater passages. And through it all, 37 to 47 million gallons of water flow daily, just as they have for thousands of years.

Local legend says if you dip your toes in Roubidoux Spring, you’ll return to Waynesville someday. Given what lies both beneath and around those blue-green waters, it’s easy to understand why people keep coming back.

----

**Sources:**

- Missouri State Archives, RG110 DNR Geology and Mines Photograph Collection

- Ozark Cave Diving Alliance (OCDA) Official History

- “Early Doctors & Hospitals of the Ozarks” https://a.co/d/jhgKBq9

- Vintage Route 66 Postcards Collection

- City of Waynesville Official Records

- Visit Missouri Tourism Data

**Photography Credits:**

- 1944: W.H. Pohl, Courtesy Missouri State Archives

- 2024: Jax Welborn, Pics by Jax LLC / “Show Me Waynesville” Photograph Collection

#YouDontKnowWaynesville #Route66 #WaynesvilleMO #RoubidouxSpring #CaveDiving #MissouriCaves #MissouriSprings #OzarksCaves #UnderwaterCave #OzarksBeauty #NaturalWonders #HiddenGems #SpringCity #MotherRoad #MissouriRoute66

Jax is an award-winning photographer, Route 66 historian, and author working on "The Route 66 Road Trip Companion" for the 2026 Centennial. Through "Pics by Jax" and "Get Your Pics on Route 66," Jax has been documenting the Mother Road for 15 years. Learn more at JaxOnRoute66.com

You Don’t Know Waynesville: Birthplace of the Byway

Episode 2 of the “You Don’t Know Waynesville” series exploring the hidden history of this Missouri Route 66 town.

When travelers cruise through Waynesville on Route 66, most see a charming small town with a welcoming square, local shops, and friendly faces. What they don’t realize is that they’re driving through the birthplace of a movement—the place where Route 66 preservation officially began.

A Historic Day on the Square

On July 10, 1990, the Pulaski County Courthouse square in Waynesville became the stage for a pivotal moment in Route 66 history. Governor John Ashcroft stood before a gathered crowd and signed House Bill 1629 into law, officially designating Missouri’s Route 66 as a historic district.

This wasn’t just another ceremonial bill signing. Missouri became the first state in the nation to grant Route 66 historic status, setting a precedent that would ripple across all eight Route 66 states and fundamentally change how America viewed its most famous highway.

Why Waynesville?

By 1990, Route 66 had been officially decommissioned for four years. The interstate system had bypassed much of the old road, and many sections were crumbling or disappearing altogether. But Missourians—and Pulaski County residents in particular—recognized that Route 66 was more than just pavement. It was a thread woven through the fabric of American history, connecting communities, families, and generations.

The choice to hold the signing ceremony in Waynesville was deliberate. Pulaski County had been deeply connected to Route 66 since the highway’s earliest days, and local advocates had worked tirelessly to push for preservation. The ceremony on the courthouse square symbolized the grassroots nature of the Route 66 revival—this wasn’t a top-down mandate from state government, but a recognition of what local communities already knew: Route 66 was worth saving.

The Legacy of That Day

Missouri’s bold move in 1990 sparked a preservation movement that continues today. The historic designation paved the way for Route 66 to eventually receive National Scenic Byway status and inspired other states to implement their own protection measures. It gave communities along the Mother Road the tools and recognition they needed to restore historic sites, promote tourism, and celebrate their heritage.

Waynesville earned its title as the “Birthplace of the Byway” that summer day, and the impact of that moment extends far beyond Missouri’s borders. Every restored neon sign, every preserved roadside attraction, every successfully saved historic building along Route 66 traces its lineage back to what happened on Waynesville’s courthouse square in 1990,

Visit the Birthplace

The next time you’re in Waynesville, take a moment to stand on the courthouse square. Look around at the historic buildings, imagine the ceremony that took place here, and remember that you’re standing on hallowed ground for Route 66 enthusiasts worldwide.

This is where the preservation movement began. This is where Missouri led the way. This is the Birthplace of the Byway.

Have you visited Waynesville’s historic courthouse square? Please, share your stories in the comments below! I’m super interested!

Jax Welborn | Route 66 Photographer & Historian | Get Your Pics on Route 66 | JaxOnRoute66.com

You Don't Know Waynesville... Waynesville shares its name with Batman

Episode 2: Waynesville Is Named After Batman's Ancestor

When travelers roll through Waynesville on Historic Route 66, most assume our town's name comes from some forgotten local pioneer or early settler. The truth is far more interesting - and connects this small Missouri town to one of America's most iconic superheroes.

There was once a time when a friend and I called for help ;)

The General Behind the Name

Waynesville was named after Major General Anthony Wayne, a Revolutionary War hero whose aggressive tactics and fearless leadership earned him the nickname "Mad Anthony Wayne." Wayne's military brilliance helped secure American independence, leading crucial victories at Stony Point and in the Southern Campaign. After the Revolution, he continued serving his country, negotiating treaties with Native American tribes and commanding the Legion of the United States.

But General Wayne's legacy didn't end with American history textbooks.

The Batman Connection

Waynesville shares its name with Batman because in 1939, comic book writer Bill Finger was creating what would become one of the most enduring characters in popular culture: Batman. When it came time to name the Caped Crusader's civilian identity, Finger chose "Bruce Wayne" - a direct homage to General Anthony Wayne.

The connection goes even deeper in DC Comics lore. Bruce Wayne isn't just named after the general - he's depicted as General Wayne's direct descendant, creating a fictional lineage that stretches from Revolutionary War battlefields to the streets of Gotham City.

The Duke Almost Joined the Wayne Legacy

General Wayne's influence on American popular culture extends beyond the Dark Knight. When Marion Morrison was building his acting career in the 1930s, studios initially gave him the stage name "Anthony Wayne" after the famous general. Only later did Fox Studios change it to the name we all know: John Wayne.

What's in a Name?

So when you drive through Waynesville, Missouri - the "Birthplace of the Byway" where Route 66 was first designated as a historic route in 1990 - you're passing through a town that shares its heritage with Batman himself.

It's a reminder that small towns along Route 66 carry stories that connect to the broader fabric of American culture in unexpected ways. From Revolutionary War generals to comic book legends, the history of Waynesville runs deeper than most travelers ever imagine.

Stay tuned for the next episode of "You Don't Know Waynesville," where we'll uncover more surprising facts about this historic Route 66 town.

This is part of an ongoing series documenting obscure historical facts about Waynesville, Missouri, in preparation for the Route 66 Centennial in 2026.