Katy Depot is Sedalia's Welcome Center-
Your Boarding Station for adventure in Sedalia!
Your Boarding Station for adventure in Sedalia!
Sedalia's historic Katy Depot at 600 East Third Street, with its elegant Romanesque Revival Style appointments, is just a sample of the bill-of-fare awaiting you as you blaze your way down the trail. Your stationmasters at the Sedalia Heritage Foundation are excited to invite you to relax here awhile, refresh yourself and enjoy true Missouri hospitality.
The Missouri -Kansas-Texas Railroad began operating in Sedalia in 1873. Architect Bradford Lee Gilbert designed the Depot which George Goodlander built of limestone from the nearby Georgetown Quarry. It was officially opened on May 10, 1896. The popular gathering spot served the community with elegance and charm for more than 60 years until the last passenger train left the Depot in 1958.
The Katy Depot was offered for sale in 1983. The Missouri Division of State Parks took title to the building in 1987 as part of the Katy Trail State Park. If you follow the path of the old MKT, you'll see the tracks have been removed and the route converted to a walking and biking trail.
From 1998 to 2001 the Depot underwent extensive renovation that restored this grand old building to its original grandeur. The Depot is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also now the home to Sedalia's Welcome Center and proudly features Heritage Exhibits, which opened in 2003. The unique design of the exhibits represents the way railroads influenced the community. Graphic panels, exhibit cases and an audio-visual presentation room were added in 2004. As you enter the Depot the gift shop greets visitors with Sedalia souvenirs, Missouri-made products, train fan items, and Katy trail souvenirs.
The grounds around the Depot are home to two piece of rolling stock--MOPAC caboose #12099 and MOPAC caboose #13757, and several art sculptures that symbolize Sedalia's heritage. The "Rag Tag Train" is a whimsical metal train sculpture by Springfield, Missouri artist Christine Shilling. Sedalia artist John Guffin created both the "Step Up Caboose" and the "Syncopated Rhythm Piano" sculptures. The caboose represents Sedalia's railroad heritage with one side designed for the Katy Railroad and the other for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The piano celebrates the ragtime heritage of Sedalia.
Experience the history and beauty of the Depot for yourself!
-SEDALIA KATY DEPOT -
125 years and counting
Following are the highlights from the Sedalia Heritage Foundation's Executive Director Deb Biermann's speech in honor of the 125th anniversary of the Katy Depot. The remarks were given on July 23rd, 2021.
Welcome!
We are gathered to celebrate Sedalia Katy Depot’s 125th year.
This building is truly a landmark of Sedalia’s Railroad Legacy.
We are also here to dedicate the most recent addition to our railroad interpretation.
A tremendous debt of gratitude is owed to all (past, present, and future) individuals who partner on behalf of the Sedalia Katy Depot. Special thanks today are to Kathleen Boswell for coordinating this celebration.
150 years ago . . . 1871
Conversations were taking place with the General Manager of the MKT Railroad … Robert Stevens. Stevens was responsible for construction of a railroad organized to serve the emerging markets of the southwest. Those conversations and his influence helped charter the course of Sedalia’s History.
So great was his influence that civic leaders presented him with this distinguished walking stick.
Imagine the perspective of standing right here in the center of the Sedalia Katy Railroad Complex … located in the center of Sedalia.
The Sedalia Katy Railroad Complex comprised a general headquarters, division point headquarters, system car shops, employee hospital, telegraph schools, along with passenger and freight depots. Helping to comprise an economy 90% dependent upon the railroads.
During the next 25 years or (125 years ago … 1896
Conversations were taking place to plan a dedication of the newly constructed Sedalia Katy Depot.
The depot was designed to represent the importance Sedalia played in the MKT Railroad System.
It would provide service to train passengers until 1958.
Already in disrepair by then, it would remain 40 years before restoration would take place and a new purpose would evolve.
Another 25 years or (100 years later …. 1996
Conversations were taking place between Ted Jones, UPRR and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks regarding acquisition and construction of the Katy Trail State Park – ultimately a 237 mile corridor of MKT railroad main line was converted into a rails to trails hiking and biking state park. The longest such trail.
Other conversations began regarding the future use of the Katy Depot. Once it had been all but forgotten and in such a state of disrepair that questioned whether or not it could be salvaged. But it was built to last undergoing a three-year $3.5 million historic restoration that received state and national recognition.
Conversations as they always do, continue – they bring us to 20 years ago in 2001. This time regarding a second dedication of the Katy Depot when this historic site proudly opened as a year-round destination to serve the public as Sedalia’s Welcome Center, Katy Trail trailhead, exhibit gallery, headquarters for the Chamber, the CVB, the Sedalia Heritage Foundation, and the Scott Joplin Ragtime Foundation.
Today, July 23d, 2021...125 years later,
we re-dedicate the former Railway Express Agency building as the Robert Stevens Toy & Model Train Exhibit. Expanding our outreach to rail fans young and old alike. Appreciation is extended to all those who made the space available, who donated artifacts and contributed financially, as well as those who have given of their time and enthusiasm to build out the exhibit.
Long live the Katy Depot!
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