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