Villa Ridge, Missouri – Home of Diamonds – Legends of America
Villa Ridge, Missouri, a quaint locale nestled in Franklin County, holds a rich tapestry of history woven from its strategic location along the historic Route 66. Its story begins in the mid-1850s as a humble stop along an old wagon road, serving as a vital link connecting the bustling metropolis of St. Louis to the burgeoning city of Springfield. This early function as a rest stop and waypoint laid the foundation for its future development and importance in the region.
Further solidifying its significance, the Federal Government chose Villa Ridge as a point along the military telegraph line stretching between St. Louis and Fort Smith, Arkansas. This telegraph line played a crucial role in communication and coordination during a period of national upheaval and growth, marking Villa Ridge as a place of strategic importance.
The area’s allure extended beyond its transportation and communication advantages. The fertile lands surrounding Villa Ridge, nourished by the confluence of three rivers, attracted farmers seeking to cultivate the rich soil. Many of these early settlers hailed from Kentucky, bringing with them a tradition of tobacco plantation ownership and, regrettably, the practice of slavery. The presence of these plantations shaped the early socio-economic landscape of the region, leaving a lasting impact on its history.
The onset of the Civil War brought turmoil and division to Missouri, a state grappling with divided loyalties. While officially aligned with the Union, a significant portion of its residents harbored Southern sympathies, leading to internal conflict and strife. Villa Ridge found itself embroiled in this conflict, witnessing battles and skirmishes that underscored the deep divisions within the state. One notable event involved Union troops storming the Coleman House, confiscating livestock, liberating enslaved people, and repurposing the property into a military hospital for the duration of the war. This event serves as a stark reminder of the war’s impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people of Villa Ridge.
In the 1880s, the establishment of a railroad station in the community marked a new chapter in Villa Ridge’s development. The station, aptly named Villa Ridge by a railroad supervisor, paid homage to the ridge that delineated the watersheds of the Meramec and Missouri Rivers, highlighting the area’s unique geographical features.
At some point, Andrew Groff and his family settled in the area. Over the years, the Groff family’s land holdings grew, encompassing the highest point for miles around. This strategic location became a crossroads where the Ozark Trail, the St. Louis Rock Road, and the Old Springfield Road converged, turning the Groff property into a pivotal hub for travelers and commerce. Recognizing the importance of education, the Groffs, along with two other families, generously donated land in the early 1890s to establish a high school. In September 1894, Altamont High School opened its doors to students, with Spencer Groff, Andrew’s son, among its first enrollees. After graduating, Spencer pursued higher education at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, before returning to Villa Ridge to manage the family farm. He proved to be a successful farmer and rancher, and he also became President of the Villa Ridge Milling Company and became involved in trading in the Merchant Exchange. After World War I, he suffered financial losses and opened a roadside stand in 1919 to sell produce and sodas at the junction of the Ozark Trail (later Highway 100) and the Old Springfield Road (later Route 66).
Groff’s roadside stand grew from a humble beginning into a more substantial enterprise. The makeshift structure evolved over time, incorporating a gas pump and an expanding array of products, including sandwiches, buttermilk, and even small evergreen trees that he personally dug up. As his business flourished, his debts dwindled, and his entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly.
The early decades of the 20th century brought significant improvements to the region’s infrastructure, with roads being paved or graveled to facilitate smoother travel. In 1926, the two converging highways between St. Louis and Gray Summit were paved, and construction continued towards St. Clair and Stanton, further enhancing Villa Ridge’s accessibility and connectivity.
Responding to the growing demand for roadside services, Groff built the first Diamonds Restaurant in 1927. The restaurant’s unique name was derived from its construction in the shape of a baseball diamond, a distinctive feature that caught the attention of travelers. As the number of customers increased, the restaurant extended its hours to operate 24 hours a day, catering to the needs of truckers seeking rest and sustenance. Touted as the "World’s Largest Roadside Restaurant," Diamonds also sold Phillips 66 gasoline and offered cabin rentals across the street. The complex eventually expanded to include two swimming pools with a combined capacity of 180,000 gallons of water, providing a welcome respite for weary travelers.
Tragedy struck in the early months of 1948 when a devastating fire consumed the restaurant. The blaze was so intense that Route 66 had to be temporarily closed, disrupting travel and commerce in the area. Undeterred, Groff and Louis Eckelkamp, who had become a partner in the Diamonds operation in the early 1930s, rebuilt the restaurant. The new Diamonds Restaurant, featuring a streamlined modern design, opened in 1950, complete with a pool and 25 cabins that would later become known as the Mission Bell Motel.
Another blow came in 1967 when Interstate 44 bypassed the facility, diminishing its accessibility to travelers. Despite this setback, the restaurant continued to operate until 1969, when plans were made to relocate it. In 1972, a new Diamonds Restaurant opened at a location along I-44, two miles east of the original site. The original sign was moved to the new location, serving as a nostalgic reminder of the restaurant’s history. Sadly, the new Diamonds Restaurant was eventually shut down and demolished in 1995, marking the end of an era.
In the meantime, the original 1950 site of the Diamonds Restaurant became the Tri-County Truck Stop, a facility that operated until 2006. Although abandoned today, the building still stands at 144 Old Highway 66, serving as a tangible link to Villa Ridge’s past.
Other vintage Route 66 sites in Villa Ridge include the old Sunset Motel. Built by the Lovelace family, it opened in 1947 with 12 units that advertised Panel Ray Heat and Beautyrest Mattresses. It was sold to Oliver and Loleta Krueger in 1971. Though the motel was long closed, its historic neon sign was restored in 2009. The old motel is located at 427 Missouri Highway AT.
A bit further down the road, at 1238 Highway AT, is an abandoned Zephyr Station and Cafe on the south side of the road. It is overgrown with weeds and quickly deteriorating.
A few more miles down the road, just east of exit 242, is the Indian Harvest Trading Post. Though not a vintage icon, it looks "inviting" as it is complete with a few buildings resembling teepees and lots of advertising, which gives it the "flavor" of old Route 66.
Today, Villa Ridge is a community of approximately 2,600 residents, its identity shaped by its rich history and strategic location. Route 66 continues from Villa Ridge to St. Clair, a distance of about 12 miles, inviting travelers to explore the region’s many attractions and points of interest.