Brief History & Notable Facts

 

Lebanon, Missouri has always featured a road. The area was initially home to the Wyota and Osage tribes, who had trails running through where the town is today. During the Civil War, Lebanon had what was called the “Wire Road,” which was comprised of telegraph lines running between St. Louis and Springfield. Then, in the late 1920s, came Route 66, which covered the same ground as the old trails. During WWII, Rt 66 was used extensively to ferry people and supplies across the country.

 

In 1868, Lebanon was changed due to the arrival of a railroad. The railroad encouraged new businesses to move into the area, and the tracks were located right in the center of the town. The railroad helped Lebanon's economy grow, because it attracted commerce to the formerly rural area.

 

Lebanon is also known for its unique magnetic water. In 1899, a worker digging a new city water well discovered that his tools were picking up nails, because the water had magnetized them. Bathing in the magnetic waters was said to have healing powers and visitors came to bathe and drink from the well.