SDC Outpost

MoOzark · April 02, 2015, 05:25:49 PM

Does anyone remember the SDC Outposts? I can remember seeing one along I-44 at Leasburg, MO, in the early 1980s (I think?). I believe there were two of them. If so, I do not know where the other one was. I never did stop at one, so I don't know what they looked like on the inside. Does anyone have info, history, or photos of the Outpost? If I remember right, they didn't last long. Does anyone know why? (And I apologize if this has already been covered in another thread).

Duelist · April 02, 2015, 05:38:26 PM

I personally never got to visit because we come in from the opposite direction (central Arkansas). there was some pretty cool stuff about it in this thread: http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=1383.msg24572#msg24572

Junior, too! · April 02, 2015, 06:51:49 PM

The outposts were an experiment that failed. There were 2 of them, I think. Just think how cool it would have been if it worked...they were gas stations and gift shops, there may have been a cafe attached, I cannot remember.

MCLFLN · April 05, 2015, 02:55:11 PM

We used to stop here on our way to SDC but I was too young at the time to remember many details. I still try to spot the posts that held the sign on our way by.

OutlawRun · April 08, 2015, 02:06:03 PM

I live in Bourbon, just east of Leasburg. I remember (vaguely) The Outpost when it was in operation. I remember being told by my Dad that SDC chose the Leasburg location on speculation that the Meramec Dam was going to be put in at Sullivan. Had the dam been put in, it would have been a prime location at the junction of I-44 and Highway H.

MCLFLN · February 07, 2016, 01:20:55 PM

Does anyone know what the address was? I was trying to find the location on Google maps so I could check out the satellite view.

Junior, too! · February 07, 2016, 08:56:22 PM

Contact SDC, perhaps public relations...someone can find out for you, I'm sure.

thelarsonsix · May 16, 2016, 06:37:30 PM

There is a Mobil station now at I-44 and hwy H, I wonder if that is where it was? The matchbook says a Texaco station attached, and I wouldn't think there would have been that many stations at Leasburg.

MCLFLN · May 16, 2016, 07:19:16 PM

I remember still seeing a sign off to the right hand side - if you were heading towards St. Louis. Does that fit the location of the gas station you are thinking?

thelarsonsix · May 16, 2016, 08:32:12 PM

From the St Clair Chronicle, St Clair, MO 1973-1974 various dates

thelarsonsix · May 16, 2016, 09:08:17 PM

Onodaga Cave is the Leasburg/Hwy H exit. This is the SE corner of Hwy H and Old Rte 66. I 44 would be behind you in this picture, and you would be looking SE, towards Leasburg:

This is across Hwy H, SW corner of US 66 and Rte H, looking NW. I 44 would be in the foreground in this picture. To me, that sure looks like the frame of and old Texaco sign near the driveway:

shavethewhales · May 18, 2016, 11:02:32 AM

Really good sleuthing, thelarsonsix!

I might have to throw together something on this for the front page on throwback Thursday.

MCLFLN · May 18, 2016, 11:20:44 AM

Agreed! Awesome work!

How did you find the newspaper articles? Online?

MCLFLN · May 18, 2016, 11:21:47 AM

Also curious, does anybody have any pictures?

runner1960 · May 18, 2016, 03:13:42 PM

I think my parents have some old 1970's park brochures that have the picture of it on them. Finding them though would be difficult. They keep everything. I remember stopping there before. From what I remember it was pretty much just a gas station with a little craft demo area. Lots of Branson literature designed to point you to SDC. Nothing spectacular.