Heart of the Mother Road
Hooker, MO: Route 66's Deepest Cut
Hooker, MO: Route 66's Deepest Cut
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Part of Our Route 66 Everytown Collection – Hooker Edition
Discover a quieter, historic side of Route 66 with this ultra-soft jersey tee, made from 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton.
Featuring the bold slogan "Route 66's Deepest Cut," this t-shirt celebrates Hooker, Missouri: a small roadside community whose legacy blends pioneer history with Mother Road ingenuity.
Perfect for history buffs, explorers and collectors of our exclusive Route 66 Everytown Collection, this tee honors a stop where early settlers, Civil War vets and Route 66 travelers each left their mark.
From the solemn grounds of Hooker Cemetery to the dramatic engineering feat of The Hooker Cut, this town remains an unforgettable chapter of the Mother Road.
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About Hooker, Missouri: From Pioneers to the Hooker Cut
Hooker lies along the Gasconade River in Pulaski County on the historic 1926-1977 alignment of Route 66. This small, unincorporated community once thrived around the needs of travelers, with gas stations, a general store and modest lodgings serving motorists during the highway's heyday.
Named for early settler Henry Hooker, the community's roots stretch back to the 19th century, long before the arrival of the Mother Road.
One of Hooker's most enduring landmarks is the Hooker Cemetery, established in the 1800s. Here rest the graves of early pioneers and Civil War vets who helped shape the Ozarks. The cemetery offers a quiet glimpse into the area's rugged past, standing as a solemn reminder that Route 66 carried not only cars and commerce, but also the weight of earlier generations' lives and their stories.
For Route 66 enthusiasts, Hooker is also home to one of the highway's great feats of engineering: the Hooker Cut. Completed in the 1940s as part of the major realignment project, this deep highway pass was the largest road cut in the United States at the time. It remains a striking symbol of Route 66's evolution from a two-lane blacktop to a national byway.
Though Hooker's old businesses have vanished, its heritage is preserved through local history efforts by institutions like the Route 66 Association of Missouri and nearby events like the Route 66 Hogs and Frogs Fest in Waynesville.
For travelers seeking more than neon signs and roadside diners, Hooker offers a layered story - one that bridges pioneer grit, Mother Road innovation and the quiet resilience of smalltown America.
Product Features:
- 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton for premium softness
- Side seams for added structure and durability
- Tear-away label for comfort
- Classic crew neckline with a flattering unisex fit - true-to-size for all day comfort (see size chart for details)
- Fulfilled in the USA
Care Instructions:
- Machine wash: cold (max 90°F / 30°C)
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Non-chlorine bleach as needed
- Iron or steam: medium heat
- Do not dry clean
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