In early 1941, anew Army post called Fort Leonard Wood was being built in south central Missouri. Workers were offered really good wages and they began pouring into the area. Many lived at tourist camps in Centerville, a community about half way between Rolla and Newberg. (This is on Route 66.)
When the town incorporated in 1944, the founders took the name Doolittle.
On October 11, 1946, James Doolittle flew a surplus B-25 from St. Louis to attend a dedication ceremony for a plaque from the town named after him. There were about 4,000 people there to meet him.
He spoke at the event about the great things aviation was going to bring to the country and the world. He said that this new town had a "brilliant" future ahead. As far as the town's name, he said the name Doolittle: "It has served me well, however, it is occasionally misspelled and the people of certain foreign countries sometimes murder it when they try to pronounce it."
Today, some residents think the name has something to do with a place to relax, a place to do little.
Indeed, about the only place to find out about the town's connection was at a local restaurant called Cookin' From Scratch which had the story on the back of its menu. You could always find this place because of the El Camino with the giant plastic chicken in back.
However, that place is out of business now.
Oh Well. --RoadLottle
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