YOU DON’T KNOW WAYNESVILLE: The Nativity That Floats in the Sky

The first in a series exploring the hidden history and obscure traditions of Historic Waynesville, Missouri on Route 66

The Mystery on the Hill

If you’ve ever driven through Waynesville, Missouri at Christmastime, you’ve probably seen something that made you do a double-take.

Coming down the hill on Historic Route 66, your headlights catch the yellow center line, the taillights of the car ahead glow red, and then - suspended in the darkness above - a brightly lit nativity scene appears to float in the night sky. No ground beneath it. No visible support. Just Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men, and a camel glowing against the void.

From Interstate 44, late at night, travelers report the same phenomenon. The illuminated figures seem to hover in midair, a celestial vision watching over the Ozark valley. Some say it looks like it’s floating in the heavens themselves.

But this isn’t an optical illusion or a recent Instagram-worthy installation. This is the Bell Bluff Nativity, and it’s been a Waynesville Christmas tradition since 1952.

A 73-Year Tradition

That makes this beloved landmark 73 years old - older than Interstate 44, older than most of the buildings you’ll pass on your way into town, nearly as old as the modern era of Route 66 itself.

The story begins with Judge Robert Bell, for whom Bell Bluff is named. In 1952, Judge Bell allowed the nativity scene to be placed on his property overlooking downtown Waynesville. It was a simple gesture - a religious symbol positioned where the whole community could see it.

But as Gene Bollinger would later reflect from his retirement in Florida, “I had no idea that the Nativity Scene would become so important to the city.”

The Bollinger family inherited the property and the tradition from Judge Bell. Now, the Espinoza family (Patti Bollinger Espinoza) continues to host this community treasure on their private land - a remarkable act of generosity spanning multiple generations.

Vandalism, Rebuilding, and Community Resilience

The original nativity was constructed of wood. In 1966, vandals damaged it - a heartbreaking moment for the community. But Waynesville didn’t let the tradition die.

The Lions Club stepped in and rebuilt the entire scene in aluminum. It’s been refabricated over the years, painted and repainted many times, weathering decades of Ozark winters and summers. The Shriners also became early supporters, building a shed on the bluff that served a dual purpose: storage when the nativity wasn’t displayed, and when it was set up, the shed itself became the manger.

That original shed is gone now, along with the manger structure many longtime residents remember. But the nativity endures, rebuilt and renewed by a community that refuses to let this tradition fade.

The Magic of the Lighting Ceremony

Every year, Christmas on the Square kicks off with the lighting of the Bell Bluff Nativity. It’s a cherished ritual, and if you’ve been there, you know the moment: a child is chosen to flip the switch, and the crowd counts down together.

“Ten, Nine,Eight…., Light It!”

And suddenly, the nativity blazes to life on the bluff above.

But here’s a secret most people don’t know: that child isn’t actually flipping the switch. Someone is on the phone with the crew up on Bell Bluff, and when the child shouts “Light It!”, the real switch gets thrown remotely.

It’s theatrical magic in the best sense - creating a moment of wonder for that child and for everyone gathered on the square. Former mayors have spoken about how special it is to see the eyes of young people in the audience when those lights come on. That sense of magic, of tradition, of community - that’s what the Bell Bluff Nativity represents.

A Beacon for Travelers

The nativity isn’t just for Waynesville residents. For travelers on Route 66 and Interstate 44, it’s become an unexpected landmark - a reminder that you’re passing through a town that still values its traditions, its faith, and its sense of place.

Patti Espinoza put it beautifully: “It is a symbol of Christianity, but also importantly, it has become a part of our local culture. Over the years it has become a big deal for our community and for me. It belongs to the whole community. Waynesville is a community you can drive through and actually see heaven in the sky.”

See heaven in the sky.

That’s not just poetry. That’s the lived experience of anyone who’s driven Route 66 through Waynesville in December and looked up to see those illuminated figures suspended in the darkness, watching over the valley like a promise that some things endure.

Part of Something Bigger

The Bell Bluff Nativity is one of three major Christmas traditions that have shaped Waynesville’s holiday identity:

• The Bell Bluff Nativity (since 1952)

• The Pulaski County Christmas Parade (Lions Club began sponsoring in 1981, Kiwanis took over in 2014, a new group of volunteers have taken it on in 2025)

• Christmas on the Square (first held December 4, 1997, and never cancelled - not for blizzards, not for pandemics)

Together, these traditions have created a Christmas culture in Waynesville that spans generations. Kids grow up with these memories, move away, come back with their own children, and the traditions are still there, waiting.

This Year’s Lighting

Thursday, December 5th, 2025, Christmas on the Square returned to downtown Waynesville from 6-9 PM. The Bell Bluff Nativity will be lit as part of the opening ceremony - a tradition within a tradition, now in its 73rd year.

If you’ve never seen it, come down to the square. If you have seen it, come back and see it again through new eyes, knowing the history behind those glowing figures on the bluff.

And if you’re just passing through on Route 66 or I-44, look up as you come down Waynesville Hill. You’ll see what travelers have been seeing since 1952: a nativity scene that appears to float in the sky, a beacon of light in the Ozark darkness, a reminder that in Waynesville, some traditions are worth keeping.

This is the first 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.

*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