Graham's Resort and Camp

22875 Teardrop Rd.
Phone:

East < GO > West

Originally it was Graham's Resort & Camp. It 1925 Walter & Fern Graham purchased a general store and added a cafe and gas station. In 1927 they built 14 cabins. When the Hooker Post Office was moved back to it's former location (in Hooker?) Walter Graham became the first Postmaster of the new Devil's Elbow Post Office serving in that capacity into 1933. The new P.O. was located in the Graham's store which was about where this building stands now.

A 1937 ad in the St. Louis newspaper read:

"GRAHAM'S RESORT
On the Big Piney River
Devil's Elbow, MO.
In the center of one of the most beautiful
spots in the Ozarks. Swimming, Fishing,
Boating, Float Trips, Comfortable cabins.
Meals if desired. Write for reservations.
Mr. W. E. Graham"

I haven't pinned down exactly when, but somewhere along the line the property was apparently sold and became the Big Piney Resort. The first date I found for the place using the Big Piney Lodge name was in 1947.

A 1947 ad in the St. Louis newspaper read

BIG PINEY LODGE
Located on Old Highway 66 on
Big Piney River at Devil's Elbow, MO.
Cabins, Swimming, Fishing, Boats and Floats
124 Miles From St.; Louis
Write John M. Winslow,
Devil's Elbow, MO.

The Big Piney Lodge was listed for sale in 1954 featuring 12 cabins, a 6 room house and 5.5 acres on the river.

The Big Piney Lodge came up for sale again in 1960 and was listed as having 13 units rented year round, a 6 room flagstone house, 5 acres on the river and being 5 miles from Fort Leonard Wood.

In 1961 an ad in the St. Louis paper said you could rent a cabin on the river for $25.00 per week for two people, but "reasonable" daily rates were also available. An interesting note here is that this ad mentioned the Lodge being 20 miles west of Rolla, instead of the distance from St. Louis.

An old fashioned hand pump is still standing in the front yard.

Photo(s): 2018