ROAD TO SEDALIA AND SOUTH DAKOTA: Katy Depot

Blog- #7 Sedalia-Katy Depot. - July 2, 2012

Another Sedalia "treasure" is the Katy Depot, the beautifully restored Railroad Depot . In 1857, and under the leadership of General George R. Smith, "Sedville" was born to attract the Pacific Railroad which was being constructed from St. Louis to Kansas City. In 1860, the city's name was changed to Sedalia. Construction of the railroad halted at Sedalia during much of the Civil War, thus positioning Sedalia as an early regional market center. In 1861, the the east/west Pacific Railroad arrived, and in 1864 shops were constructed to manufacture and rebuild steam locomotives, employing much of the town's population. Sedalia became the destination for the many cattle drives in the Midwest, as the cattle could be transported across the land. The TV western, Rawhide" with Clint Eastwood, was filmed in Sedalia!

At one time the Railroad had it's own Hospital , as working around the trains was so dangerous. Note the " Missouri Mule"-The King of Spain gave the first Mule to George Washington, and they became the "livestock of choice" because of their stamina, strength, and intelligence. ( don't remember how the mule fits into the Katy Depot information:-)

Sedalia became the major juncture for "Orphan Trains" in the late 1800's. Rev. J W. Swan, Western Agent for the Children's Aid Society,

chose Sedalia as the town he would deliver orphaned and abandoned children from the East (mainly New York City) to foster families in the Midwest because of the cleaner, healthier environment in which to live.

The Railroad was the major economic force in Sedalia. But when the Railroads declined, so did Sedalia's economy. Sedalia was devastated by the Depression. The Railroad had attracted labor with a strong work ethic and a variety of metal working skills. These traits helped Sedalia transform from a railroad town into a diversely economic regional market center.

Note the "Ragtime" pianos on the porch in memory of Scott Joplin, great Ragtime pianist who began his career in Sedalia. The Katy Depot is both a symbol and an artifact of Sedalia's Railroad heritage. It was built in 1896 at a cost of $40,000, and served as a train passenger Depot until 1958 when the Katy ceased passenger service to the State of Missouri. It was the first property in Sedalia to be placed on the national Register of Historic Places. A true Sedalia "Treasure".

Hope you enjoyed the Depot as much as we did. We will continue our Sedalia tour in our next Blog!

Blessings,

Mary Ann Les & Pollybird