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A New Opportunity! The Katy Trail State Park was built over the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT). The idea to not use this railroad was when it didn’t take the operation in 1986: from Machens in St. Charles Country to Sedalia in Pettis Country. This railroad was given a chance for a bicycling trail almost two hundred miles!
This is the memorial of The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Picture of MKT Memorial:
Edward D. "Ted" Jones Edward D. "Ted" Jones lived December 18, 1925 – October 3, 1990. He and his wife, Pat Jones, devoted their last years to establish The Katy Trail State Park. He donated $2.2 million to Missouri for the abandoned Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad! He got to see the finished piece before he died six months later.
National Trails System Act Missouri Department of Natural Resources made possible the National Trails System Act: the railroads selected no longer is in need for active rail service; can be banked for future transportation needs and can be used for an interim basis for recreational trails. The Department was able to construct the trail in 1991.
Along with the very generous donations from Edward D. "Ted" Jones and Pat Jones, other donations were made as well. The Union Pacific Railroad donated an additional thirty-three miles! This donation was from Sedalia to the east of Clinton. Additional purchases have also been added on to the trail. The trail today consists of two hundred thirty-seven and seven-tenths of a mile! Additional Donations
The Great Flood of 1993 The trail was initially planned for completion in 1994. However, the Great Flood of 1993 damaged 75 miles of the original 126 miles of the trail. The completed trail from St. Charles to Sedalia was finally opened in 1996; the section from Sedalia to Clinton opened in 1999.
The Trail • Length: 237.7 miles • Surface: Crushed limestone. • Start to End: St. Charles, Missouri to Clinton, Missouri The trail is almost all flat. The trail is solid unless a lot of rain has occurred recently.
This isa picture of the flat limestone that is used along the trail. The Flat Trail
It’s Nickname The Katy Trail State Park got it’s name from the pronunciation of Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad’s nickname: MKT. They get the pronunciation of “Katy,” from the last two letters of MKT’s nickname: “K,” and “T”.
The Scenery: As you go along the trail; you notice the beautiful scenery around you. Some features you may enjoy includes the Missouri River. From my experience, you also see many different types of plants and trees. Occasionally you may come across a creek.
This is a picture of what a scenery of an open field would look like. Scenery Picture:
While on the trail, if you come across a couple of creeks. In Jefferson City, Missouri, if you go east, you could come across Turkey Creek; it would look exactly like this bridge. Creeks
Experiencing the Trail The Katy Trail State Park is the longest rail-to-rail project in the Untied States. The Trail is two hundred thirty-seven and seven-tenths of a mile! On this Trail you may enjoy hiking, walking, and bicycling. Horse back riding can be allowed between the thirty-four and seven tenths miles from Calhoun and the Sedalia Fairgrounds; also on the fifteen and three-tenths miles between Tebbetts and Portland.
Just Out For a Stroll Whether a short thirty minute walk/ride or going the whole trail and it’s five day journey; the trail is great exercise and has beautiful scenery.
Trailhead Information The Katy Trail has various sceneries. It could be from open fields, to tree shaded paths. An occasional trailhead comes up with a possibility of a bathroom and a water fountain. This trailhead could contain information about the route and history of the trail.
Many trailheads will look like this as you travel the trail. Not all rest stops will have a restrooms and water fountains, so make sure you pack extra water and food for the given amount of time you will be traveling. Trailhead
General Information: • If bringing pets: must be on a leash. • Smoking unrestricted • Suitable for all ages • Free admission • Open year round • Open from sunrises to sunset
This is the sign that welcomes you to the entrance of the Katy Trail State Park in Jefferson City, Missouri Welcome!
When looking at the Highway 54 bridge, and the trailhead, this will mean you are going east, and heading for St. Louis. Going East!
When seeing a curve in the trail, and no trailhead or Highway 54 bridge, you will be heading west, and toward the Kansas City area. Going West!
Bibliography • Works Cited • "Edward D. "Ted" Jones - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_D._%22Ted%22_Jones>.
Bibliography • "Katy Trail State Park Missouri Katy Trail Clinton Sedalie Boonville Pilot Grove Rocheport Jefferson Hermann Trelar St Charles Machens Missouri St Louis Rhineland Hartsburg Jefferson City MO Missouri MO Fries MO Rail Trails Missouri." Rail Trails Bike Trails Bicycle Rails To Trails Biking . N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. <http://railstotrails.us/mo_katy_trail.htm>.
Bibliography • "Katy Trail State Park | Missouri State Parks." Missouri State Parks. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. <http://www.mostateparks.com/park/katy-trail-state-park>. • Region:. " Katy Trail State Park - Statewide in Missouri | VisitMO.com." VisitMO.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. <http://www.visitmo.com/katy-trail-state-park-statewide.aspx>. • MLA formatting by BibMe.org.
