Missouri became the first state to award a contract under the new Interstate Highway law. The first contract was for work on Interstate 44 in Laclede County. Lebanon had the dubious honor of being the first town in Missouri by-passed by an Interstate highway.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.