Portland to McKittrick - Katy Trail - Portland, MO
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member YoSam.
N 38° 42.582 W 091° 43.003
15S E 611576 N 4285343
History, mileposts and notice of what to look for on your journey
Waymark Code: WMT0E6
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 09/03/2016
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Geo Ferret
Views: 0
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County of marker: Callaway County
Location of marker: Portland Trail Head, mile post 115.9, Katy Trail State Park
Marker erected: 2000
Marker erected by: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Katy Trail State Park

Marker text:
The Portland - McKittrick segment is 15.1 mile long. Bottomland forest, islands and channels of the Tate Island Conservation Area -- which is accessible only by boat -- can be seen to the right of the Katy Trail between milepost 114.5 and 112. A Lewis and Clark historical marker is located at Little Tavern Creek at milepost 113.6.

Excellent views of the Missouri River continue at milepost 111.9 and half a mile beyond is another Lewis and Clark historical marker. After a half mile more, trail users reach Bluffton. The bluffs around Bluffton, rising 200 feet or more, are some of the highest on the trail. Grand Bluffs Conservation Area is on top of these bluffs.

At Rhineland, Katy Trail State Park briefly leaves the former railroad right of way. This area reminded German immigrants of their home country's Rhine River valley. Two picturesque churches are located near the trail here: St. Marcus and the Church of the Risen Savior. Most of Rhineland was relocated to the hill above after the 1993 flood.

Approaching McKittrick around milepost 102, Look across the river valley toward Hermann. Dutschheim Stat Historic Site as well as an Amtrak station are located in Hermann. There is a dedicated pedestrian/bicycle lane across the west side of the Highway 19 bridge. Just before McKittrick, the trail crosses the Loutre River.

Web link: [Web Link]

History of Mark:
The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT)
Begun in the 1870s, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, also known as the Katy, ran through much of the Missouri River valley by the 1890s. With the Pacific Railroad running from St. St. Louis to Jefferson City by 1856 and the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad becoming the first cross-state railroad in 1859, the Katy was a relative late comer to the railroad game. However, it provided a vital link between the agriculture of central Missouri and the quickly developing American southwest. The Katy added to Missouri's prosperity, supporting towns along the corridor and causing several new towns, such Mokane and Tebbetts, to spring up almost overnight.

The Katy Ceases Operation
In the fall of 1986, the Katy experienced severe flooding that washed out several miles of track. Due to the cost of repair, the fact that railroad use was in decline, and the company was in financial trouble, the company decided to cease operations. On Oct. 4, 1986, trains 101 and 102 became the very last trains to use the corridor and the Katy ceased operations on its route from Sedalia to Machens.

The Railroad Amendment
The National Trails System Act Amendments of 1983 provided that railroad corridors no longer needed for active rail service can be banked for future transportation needs and used on an interim basis for recreational trails. When the Katy Railroad ceased operations, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources filed for a certificate of interim trail use for the corridor from Sedalia to Machens and it was granted in April 1987. The department used the opportunity to develop one of the most successful rails-to-trails conversions in the United States.

The Development of Katy Trail State Park
The first section of the trail from Rocheport to McBaine opened in April on 1990. In August of 1990, another section from Augusta to jut northeast of Defiance opened. The rail corridor from St. Charles to just past Sedalia was developed by 1996. Through a donation from the Union Pacific Railroad, the department then extended the trail to Clinton, opening the section between Sedalia and Clinton in September of 1999. Funds from the Missouri Department of Transportation will be used for construction of the final section of Katy Trail from St. Charles to Machens. Future plans include the Rock Island Trail-Katy Connector, which will connect the trails at Windsor to Pleasant Hill.



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