Devils Elbow Heritage Foundation announced Monday the annual lighting of the Christmas Lights at the Devils Elbow Bridge on Route 66 would be that evening at dusk.
The holiday tradition began in 2014 when Robbie Bradford, USN, Retired, and Bill Debo, Devils Elbow Local, put their heads together at the Elbow Inn neighborhood pub. Bradford reminisced, “We just wanted to decorate the bridge to bring people down to see it.” The first year that the bridge was decorated, Debo’s grandson, Blayne Kelley shimmied the bridge girders to wrap lights and hang wreaths.
The original “bridge crew” passed the torch to Thomas Nard and Susan Chudomelka, founders of the Devils Elbow Heritage Foundation.
Christmas Lights at the Devils Elbow Bridge has become a holiday tradition for many families from the Ozarks and beyond. Pulaski County Presiding Commissioner Gene Newkirk stated, “I get calls from Illinois, St. Louis, and all over asking if it’s going to be lit up. It’s turned into a big deal.” The lights celebration is especially popular with Route 66 tourists and Branson travelers.
Devils Elbow Heritage Foundation President Thomas Nard disclosed that the bridge will be lit daily, from dusk until dawn, beginning this evening through New Year's Day. Nard hopes that the Christmas lights celebration raises awareness of Devils Elbow Heritage Foundation. The 501 (c) (3) foundation’s mission is to preserve Devils Elbow’s way of life, heritage, and traditions for generations of “Elbohemians” and tourists to come. The organization was founded in 2019.
Construction of the Devils Elbow Bridge began in 1923 when the road was designated as Missouri Highway 14. The bridge was dedicated the following summer, on July 4, 1924. The bridge was rehabbed by Pulaski County Commissioners in 2013. In 2023 the bridge will attain Centennial status. In 2026 the bridge will be a must-stop attraction during the Route 66 Centennial celebration. The bridge is the crown jewel of the Devils Elbow Historic District. Devils Elbow Historic District was designated by the National Park Service on April 17, 2017. The nomination was prepared by Route 66 historians Ruth Keenoy and Terry Primas.
The iconic bridge, framed by the backdrop of ancient bluffs, one of Missouri’s eight natural wonders, is located less than three miles east of Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store on historic Route 66.
Donations to DEHF can be left with Security Bank of Pulaski County or mailed to DEHF, P.O. Box 273, Devils Elbow, MO., 65457. Follow Devils Elbow Heritage Foundation on Facebook. #DevilsElbowChristmas
