On Stony Dell’s opening day, the Rolla Herald newspaper reported that the pool in Arlington, Missouri, attracted over 1,000 visitors; it quickly became a popular entertainment spot for locals, travelers along Route 66, construction workers, and military personnel at nearby Fort Leonard Wood during the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. the amenities at the Stony Dell complex included a spring-fed swimming pool with a slide and diving board, stone bathhouse, restaurant, rustic cabins, souvenir shop, filling station, and a park with a picnic area and rock garden. Stony Dell, like many of its Route 66 counterparts, continuously looked for ways to appeal to travelers, even adding a zoo to the restort!
SHSMO archivist Ashely Weaver, along with host Kathleen Seale, looks back at this popular resort and its history, including the Prewett family, who built and operated Stony Dell and expanded its attractions to stand out from other roadside stops.