SPRINGFIELD, MO – This year, the city is celebrating 100 years since the creation of U.S 66. While considerable attention has been paid to preserving memories of the old “Mother Road,” there was another, lesser-known highway through town that has become a nearly forgotten footnote.
Missouri Route 88 was a highway across Springfield that served as a bypass to the north and west of the central part of the city. Interestingly, 88 was one of three two-numbered highways in Springfield with “repdigits” (repeat digits), with the others being U.S. 66 and Interstate 44.
MO 88 was one of the shortest highways in the state, traversing just under 7 miles. And, unlike U.S. 66 (which passed through hundreds of towns along its 2,448-mile path), Route 88 passed through just one community- Springfield, with its path staying entirely within the city limits…