St Robert, MO

Fort Leonard Wood was established in 1940 as a training center for the US Army in preparation for the potential of the United States entering into WW II. As a result, Ft Leonard Wood thrived while other business along Route 66 suffered. Lodging was so scarce that some farmers converted chicken coops into housing. During WW II, Italian and German prisoners of war were interned at Fort Leonard Wood.

The Fort is named for Major General Leonard Wood, a Congressional Medal of Honor winner who began his military service as a contract surgeon during the Apache Indian wars of the 1800s. He later was Teddy Roosevelt's commanding officer during the Spanish American War, in which Teddy led the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill.

Today, Fort Leonard Wood covers nearly 63,000 acres, and is one of the largest military facilities in the country. It continues as a training facility. It is the home of the US Army Engineer School, the US Army Military Police School, and the US Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School.

St Robert, which is next to Fort Leonard Wood, is the home of Big Louie's. Big Louie has it all, from restaurants to adult toy stores, to strip clubs. It's one stop shopping.

For less risqué fare, there is Judy's Place, which has proudly been serving Budweiser for 23 years. It's very biker friendly and is a good stop on the way to or from the Elbow Inn just down the road.