Franklin County

FRANKLIN COUNTY, which is located in eastern Missouri near St. Louis, is the fourth largest county in the state. Named after one of America’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, the county is home to more than a dozen towns, villages, and communities through which the two-lane ribbon road snakes: Pacific, Gray Summit, Villa Ridge, St. Clair, Stanton, and Sullivan.

Sunset Motel, Villa Ridge

Luring you to stop, enjoy, and get your kicks are the now faded Gardenway Motel sign in Gray Summit, the majestic Meramec Caverns, and the

Jesse James Wax Museum

in Stanton, the historic 1856 Harney House mansion, and the Meramec State Park in Sullivan. As you meander through leafy forests and pass peaceful rivers, Franklin County is a great way to get a feel for Missouri’s 66.

MERAMEC CAVERNS

The caverns are Missouri’s largest commercial caves that lie just beneath the lush hills of the Meramec Valley. The discovery of the caverns first came about in the early 1700s, when French explorer Philipp Renault journeyed through the unexplored lands of the state alongside an Osage Indian guide. They were initially called “Saltpeter Caves” due to the abundance of potassium nitrate found in the caves.

Jesse James Wax Museum, Stanton

Gardenway Motel, Gray Summit

Meramec Caverns, Stanton

GOOD TO KNOW:

Temperatures in Meramec Caverns rarely rise above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so bring a sweater. It takes about an hour and a half to complete the tour round-trip, so plan accordingly and wear comfortable shoes.

MY FRANKLIN COUNTY CHECKLIST

• Jensen’s Point • Shaw Nature Reserve • The Diamonds

Restaurant (closed) • The Gardenway

Motel (closed) • Jesse James Museum • Meramec Caverns • Remains of the

Beacon Motel • Red Cedar Inn, built in 1934 • Sunset Motel • Harney House • Meramec State Park ROUTE 66 KICKS

As part of the Historic Route 66 Hydrant Mural Project, Sullivan’s public works department has painted twenty-seven fire hydrants to depict a separate area, city, or site along Route 66. The colorfully painted hydrants can be seen from one end of the Sullivan city limits to the other.