DNR
Home PageFind the Director - October 2007
October's mystery site was the Katy Depot in Sedalia.
Winner:
Melanie Smith, Little Rock, Ark.
Clue:
Yes, this is along Katy Trail, but where am I? This is the site of the only two-story Katy Depot on the trail. It is one we renovated and restored with the help of this city and its Chamber of Commerce.
Director's Comments
I was not director when the Division of State Parks took the risky step of going in downtown St. Charles and spending scarce resources on the restoration of Missouri's First State Capitol. This investment began the historic restoration of that community's old downtown district. If you go there now, you can see the results of the efforts of many forward looking preservationists and parks people. In Sedalia, our staff and local preservation advocates have the same vision for their community. That is why we worked with local legislators, including Sen. Jim Mathewson, to do what we could to make a significant historic preservation investment in that community at the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad depot in Sedalia. The local Chamber of Commerce is a strong and viable partner in helping us make this project a success. In addition to managing and maintaining the depot (we manage and maintain the restrooms and trail in the area), they secured funding for parking, landscaping, interpretation and railroad museum. This is a good deal for the community, the Chamber, the department and the historic preservation community. We have many examples of where careful restoration of key historic features in a park, community or rural setting (i.e. Arrow Rock), can generate interest, enthusiasm, economic development in the area and tourism. So in addition to being a key attraction on Katy Trail State Park, the depot restoration is a positive investment for the future of Sedalia. State parks and historic sites not only preserve, but they pay back their costs many times over, and if maintained and managed properly, are sustainable assets for the long-term improvement of the areas they serve.
P.S. Feel free to send in your thoughts and any additional comments you may have on Katy Trail State Park or communicate with me on other state parks and historic sites.
Sampling of comments submitted with October entries
Responses in orange and in brackets are from Doug Eiken, division director.
Beautiful restoration. [I agree. We had a terrific contractor that went to extremes to make sure it was done right.]
Haven’t been there, but I will the next time we are over that way. Get to Sedalia for dog shows every July so it should be a good addition to the trip.
We will miss the peanut butter hamburgers only found in Sedalia. [Good ol' Goober Burgers. Never had one because I do not like to mix peanut butter and meat. But lots of people loved them.]
My impression of this place has always been pretty good, but what I’m really wondering is that in the newsletter it says these monthly photos are taken by Doug, but he's always in them. Does he use a camera with a timer and tripod, or does he fudge and have someone else shoot the picture? [No way!!! I have a timer. Technology is frightening, isn't it?]
This is a very beautiful depot, and is located near the historic downtown Sedalia. My wife and I enjoy driving this area of Sedalia every time we drive across the state on Highway 50. There's nothing like getting off the main roads and seeing all the amazing sites that aren’t on the way to anywhere! [I agree. We have a lot of historic downtowns in Missouri. It is fun to explore them. Take a look at downtown Clinton sometime.]
Very neat site and neat downtown area.
What a line of history, the Katy Trail!
Okay, this was too easy for me. This is a great place to teach kids about the importance of the trains to the formation of all of those little towns along the route. [Yes, and the Chamber of Commerce exhibits in the depot do that very well.]
I was there on the Katy Ride 2002. Very nice structure and very historic.
I have stopped here a couple of times when I was on the Katy Trail. The museum is very interesting on the history of Sedalia. The building is a magnificent architectural specimen. I am glad that the State and Sedalia Chamber of Commerce saved it. I remember seeing it when it was derelict. [So did I and I was one of those that said "whew, is this worth saving?" But thankfully I trusted and was "educated" by our preservation staff. It is a great example of what many people can do together when the job is too great for just one. We are very proud of it.]
The biggest surprise when you find this Katy section is its location. It is not downtown or in the business or busy area. It seems to be in the middle of nowhere in a small residential area. The castle-like station is really impressive.
