Autumn color along Route 66 near St. James, Missouri by Kathy Alexander.
Known as the “Forest City of the Ozarks,” St. James, Missouri, in the south-central part of the state, was born in 1859 when a man named John Wood anticipated the extension of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway. Intended as a shipping point for the nearby Meramec Iron Works, which was shipping its products by wagon train, Wood saw an excellent opportunity to create the town.
Meramec Spring State Park near St. James, Missouri.
The town was first called Scioto, but its name was changed to St. James within a year. The Meramec Iron Works mined ore along the banks of the Meramec River, providing the town’s first employment.
When the Civil War began, the Union Army took control of the town after fierce partisan fighting. A detachment of German volunteers encamped near the town was so impressed by the area that they moved their families to St. James when the war was over, creating an ethnic flavor that remains today.
After the war, the 1870s depression led St. James to turn to lumber, agriculture, and winemaking. Italian immigrants fleeing oppressive working conditions in Chicago started the area’s vineyards and winemaking industry.
Cardetti Store in St. James, Missouri.
Though the Meramec Iron Works had slowed down, it continued to operate until 1891, when the iron deposits were exhausted. Today, the industrial ruins can still be seen in Meramec Spring Park.
However, the town’s agricultural business expanded to berries, dairy products, and lumber cut from the surrounding hills, which were shipped all over the country. Soon, more industries came to the area, including a distillery and a women’s garment factory.
When Route 66 came through, St. James became a tourist destination. Travelers enjoyed its rich forests, Meramec Springs, and proximity to the Ozark Riverways.
Today, this town of some 3,700 friendly people boasts a quaint downtown area filled with gift and antique stores and several local wineries. The remains of the one-time thriving Meramec Iron Works can be found at Meramec Spring Park, which includes two museums.
While in St. James, be sure to visit Finn’s Motel, a long-time Route 66 resting point at 777 Grover St.
Derby Station Sign, St. James, Missouri.
Also, look for an old Derby Station on the south side of Route 66 and the “new” Cardetti & Sons business building.
As you near Rolla, you will see Route 66 Motors, which once served as a 1950s gas station. Later, the business specialized in antiques, Route 66 souvenirs, and classic cars. Though its gift and souvenir shop is closed, it still features classic cars. It is located at 12651 Old Highway 66.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2025.
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