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Big Chief Hotel
Courtesy of 66postcards.com
Artist Concept
Courtesy of 66postcards.com
Location: 17352 Old Manchester Rd, Wildwood, MO Date Built: Circa 1929 Other Names Used: Dakota Steakhouse
B. Donovan's Steakhouse GrillGPS Coordinates: N38.58141 W090.66076 Now on this Site: B. Donovan's Steakhouse Grill
In 1929, the Pierce Pennant Oil Company built a way station along Route 66 in Pond, Missouri. Using the Spanish Revival plan, The Big Chief Hotel consisted of a restaurant, gas station and 62 cabins surrounding a magnificent park and courtyard. Each cabin had its own garage. This development was built when Manchester Road formed part of Route 66 from about 1926 to 1932. The restaurant served 5 cent sandwiches, 40 cent blue plate specials, and 75 cent steak dinners. The cabins were laid out in a horseshoe pattern around the restaurant. Each cabin had two rooms, bunk beds, hot and cold running water and steam heat. Cabins rented for $1.50 per night. Big Chief also had a 24-hour gasoline service station.
Si Hensien was the first manager of Big Chief. He passed away many years later at the age of 105.
After Route 66 was rerouted to Watson Road business fell off, and the rooms were rented as efficiency apartments. During World War II, the cabins served as housing for munitions workers during the 40's. Four people could share two beds since they worked 12-hour rotating shifts.
Song and television cemented Route 66 in American History during the late 50's and early 60's in what appeared then to be Big Chief's last hurrah. Falling into disrepair, the cabins slowly disappeared and the main building housed a variety of different businesses. Salvation came when a local businessman bought and restored the building to its original Spanish-mission style. It was decorated with authentic western and Native American artifacts and from ranches in the Dakotas. After restoration, the building was designated an historic landmark. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 4, 2003.
Once again The Big Chief has been reincarnated, this time as B. Donovan's Steakhouse Grill
