Hiking along a former street in a ghost town near the skeletal remains of a Route 66 bridge across the Meramec River was my destination. This area has a lot of history, from once being a resort town to becoming contaminated by the dangerous chemical of dioxin.

History

How A Ghost Town Began

Times Beach, Mo., where the park now exists, was born from promotion by the former St. Louis Star-Times newspaper. A purchase of a 20X100 foot lot for $67.50 included a six-month newspaper prescription.

The town started as a summer resort community than with the Great Depression and the gasoline rationing during World War II summer homes became less feasible.

It settled into being a town for all-year residents. A grocery store and gas station could be found here especially when Route 66 went through the town on the nearby Meramec River bridge.

What Happened to It

Sadly the town was prone to flooding and following a major flood in December 1982 it was found that the chemical dioxin had contaminated the soil. Dioxin had been part of waste oil that had been sprayed there to keep the dust down.

This chemical had been found to be in large volumes around the town and dangerous to humans so the US government bought the townspeople and the town was cleaned up. Except for mounds where the waste material of the town is buried and remnants of paved roads the town has completely vanished from the site.

Now you can walk along former streets as nature reclaims the land.

Route 66 History

The Bridge

A US 66 bridge was built across the Meramec River in 1932 and once bustled with traffic. Now it is closed and all the remains are the metal deck and cement pylons below. 

There are hopes to turn it into a pedestrian bridge for the park in the future. A sign by the bridge calls for donations to do this project by going to www.savethisbridge.org.

Route 66 Visitor’s Center

Route 66 Visitor’s Center is located across the Meramec River from the hiking trails and on the other side of the former Route 66 bridge. Here you can find displays showcasing the history of Route 66 and the area. It is located in the former Bridgehead Inn, a 1935 roadhouse that sat on the original Route 66.

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through November. Closed December through February. Then reopens in March with daily hours once more. It was closed the day I did the hike.

My Time Here

Roadhouse Side of the Park

First I went to the first exit to check out the former roadhouse. On this side of the bridge, you can see the top section and the metal supports all lined up without a road. I once drove across this road years ago with the roadbed was still in place.  

I found the green metal supports fascinating, just not the normal way you see a bridge.

Over here there is also an information board on the park and Route 66 and some picnic tables.

To the left of the roadhouse is an old neon sign that was once for the Keys Twin Bridge Café. The sign was formerly located in Franklin County, Mo., along Route 66 by the Twin Bridges. I couldn’t get a good photo of it due to the early morning mist that hung in the air.

Main Area of the Park

After walking around a bit I headed back in my car to check out the next part. This is a bit complicated since you have to make quite a few turns around the interstate to do this.

Finally, I parked in the middle of what had once been Times Beach. I was going to do a section of the 3.20 mile Outer Loop Trail along the river and going towards the skeletal bridge.

Outer Loop Trail Hike

I walked to the Outer Loop Trail from the parking area in the middle of the park using a side trail. The Outer Loop Trail along the Meramec River was once logically called Riverside Street when this was Times Beach. Besides the road, there is nothing to designate a town here. Woods now fill this area with high grass fields in places.

It is hard to see the river along here with heavy growth. Near the former Route 66 bridge, there are a few side trails that allow for the viewing of the deck supports from below. Be careful doing this since this walk ends at high banks with the fast-flowing Meramec River below.

I crossed under the bridge and followed Interstate 44 for aways and then start the walk along the road that leads into the main area of the park. Be careful here since you walk near traffic.

The Outer Loop Trail continues along the Interstate 44 but I turned onto the Inner Loop Trail.

Inner Loop Trail Hike 

I did a part of the 2-mile Inner Loop Trail back to where I parked. This trail is shared with two-way traffic with the majority shared with a one-way loop road.

The section that I walked goes by the Town Mound, where the physical remains of the structures of the town are buried.

Outer Loop Trail Continued

The three-mile Outer Loop Trail going to the left from parking includes wetlands and at first, follows the river before turning back towards interstate 44 going through woods and grasslands.

To Eureka

In the back corner of the park on this trail is a connector to Kircher Park and from there to Eureka as part of the Meramec Greenway.

I walked part of this trail when I went to have coffee in Eureka. It goes along a rock-filled brook near the downtown. 

W Trail

I liked the half-mile W trail, a mile if you walk it from the trailhead and back because it goes through the woods.

It was gravel and it was only for pedestrians. It also goes by the Town Mound and the capped off monitoring well and connects to the Inner Loop and Outer Loop trails.

Here was the only part of the trail system I felt alone walking down a gravel path through forests and grasses and listening for birds and other wildlife.

South Loop Trail

A 1.5-mile trail about .75 from the park entrance on South Outer Road at the Equestrian Trailhead parking area. It is the only trail in the park on the south side of the park. Part of this trail is paved and goes through woods and fields.

Final Thoughts

The trails were flat and most went along roads. Connector trails do go through woods and away from vehicle traffic.

When I was there in the morning there was not much traffic since none of the roads go anywhere except around the park. 

Also, a lot of people use this for biking as well.

I think this is an easy area to hike in with some interesting history. It includes some river views and some wetlands and forests. Not the most scenic place, but it is an easy jaunt in nature near St. Louis.

DETAILS

Drive: 

Visitor’s Center/Roadhouse Section: Note–Trails are not on this side of the river. Take Interstate 44 going southwest of the city. Take Exit 266 onto North Outer Road. Look for a sign prior to this exit for this section of the park. This road ends at the roadhouse with views of the bridge.

Trail Section: This is a bit tricky. Take exit 264 for MO-109 S then use the left lane to turn left onto Mo-109 S then turn left to merge onto Interstate 44 E toward St. Louis. Take exit 265 for Williams Road and follow South Outer Road East to the park.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Admission: Free

Address: 1628, 97 N Outer Rd, Eureka, MO 63025

Other Nearby Route 66 Sites

Jensen’s Point Overlook

Jensen’s Point Overlook provides views of the river, Ozark hills, and nearby train tracks. It is by the former Historic Route 66 Red Cedar Inn.

You head up a number of rock steps to a rock lookout with views. It was a decent short workout after walking along flat trails.

Quick History

It was constructed in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The landmark is named after Lars Peter Jensen, the first manager of the Missouri Botanical Garden known as Shaw’s Garden then. It was designed to add beauty along Route 66.

Drive: Take Interstate 44 to Exit 261 for Six Flags Road toward I-44Bus. Take Loop 44 to I-44 Loop/E/ Osage St. Use the second from the left lane to turn left onto Allenton Road. 

Use the right two lanes to turn sharply right onto Business Loop 44. Continue onto I-44 Loop/E. Osage Street for almost a mile until you past Red Cedar Inn on your right. The parking area is the second right. If you pass the U.S. Silica Company you’ve gone too far.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Admission: Free

Address: 1039 E Osage St, Pacific, MO 63069

Adam’s Garden

Small park dedicated to parents who have lost a child. It includes an angel statue, a small waterfall, and child figurines on the cliffside.

Drive: Drive: Take Interstate 44 to Exit 261 for Six Flags Road toward I-44Bus. Take Loop 44 to I-44 Loop/E/ Osage St. Use the second from the left lane to turn left onto Allenton Road. 

Use the right two lanes to turn sharply right onto Business Loop 44. Continue onto I-44 Loop/E. Osage Street and it is your second right after you pass the light at First Street.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Admission: Free

Address: 301 W Osage St, Pacific, MO 63069

Blackburn Park

Above Adam’s Garden is Blackburn Park. From Adam’s Garden going eastbound on Osage Street take a quick turn on Second Street then turn left onto Walnut Street then another left into a parking lot is Blackburn Park with a lookout.

Here you will find information about a Civil War battle that was fought in Pacific, Mo. There is even a replica Civil War cannon on the lookout, where once Civil War cannons once stood. My son enjoyed checking it out when we were there this past summer on another road trip. 

Views from includes the town of Pacific just below and the surrounding hillsides.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Admission: Free

 Address: 233-299 W Osage St, Pacific, MO 63069

More Halloween Hikes

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Halloween Hikes: Fort Belle Fontaine

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Rumors are this place is haunted by soldiers and it does have an eerie vibe to it with all the ruins.

Halloween Hikes: Abandoned Sanatorium at Welch Spring

The stone-cut walls of a barred and locked sanatorium next to Welch Spring are what I found on my journey to Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Halloween Hikes: Robertsville State Park Cemetery Walk

Views of the Meramec River and walk through spicebush and lush forests and creeks can be found at Robertsville State Park along with a trip to an electrified cemetery.

Halloween Hikes: Old Greenville Ghost Town

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More Route 66 Hikes

Dad Hikes: Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

The mile-long Old Chain of Rocks Bridge 60-feet above the Mississippi River with a 30-degree turn midway was my quest today.

This bridge is historical since it once was part of a stretch of historic U.S. Route 66 and is at a major point along the Mississippi River near rock ledges that once created dangerous rapids for riverboats.

Halloween Hikes are hikes that I spotlight in October that fit the spirit of Halloween. Feel free to share suggestions for hikes to do in the future. Also, post any questions you might have on the hikes!