Boonville: Theater, Katy Trail and History

Boonville brings together several different travel interests: theater history, exploring a long route, a self-guided historical walking tour, and a collection of antique vehicles. To help plan your visit, it’s useful to distinguish between the different experiences. You can explore the Katy Trail on foot or by bicycle; the Walking History Tour is a self-guided route that takes you to more than 20 points of interest. The Mitchell Antique Motorcar Museum focuses specifically on historic carriages and automobiles. This makes it easier to decide while planning your trip whether you’d rather explore a trail, discover individual historic sites, or focus on a vehicle collection.

Thespian Hall and Katy Depot

Thespian Hall is the longest continuously operating theater west of the Alleghany Mountains. Its uninterrupted operation makes the hall a notable landmark for travelers interested in Boonville’s theater history. The Katy Depot in Boonville offers a different point of interest: it is located at mile marker 191 on Highway 40. The two sites appeal to different interests: Thespian Hall is known for its continuous theater operations, while the depot can be located geographically by its mile marker and highway.

Katy Trail, Trailhead, and Museum

The Katy Trail is 237 miles long and has a starting point in Boonville. Visitors can explore it from Boonville by bicycle or on foot. The trailhead is near the Visitors Center. The Rivers, Rails & Trails Museum is located in Boonville’s Visitors Center, next to the Katy Trail starting point in the historic Depot District. This distinguishes the trail itself from local points of reference: the 237 miles describe the trail, while the Visitors Center, museum, and trailhead are specific locations in Boonville.

Walking History Tour on Foot

The Walking History Tour is a self-guided route with more than 20 points of interest. This distinguishes it from the Katy Trail: the walking tour takes you to historic sites, while the 237-mile trail can be explored on foot or by bicycle. You can download the tour online; a brochure is available at the Tourism Office and Visitors Center. So the materials are available in two formats: as a tour you can download online, or as a brochure at either of the two locations mentioned. If you want to focus on individual points of interest rather than a long trail route, the historical walking tour is the more clearly defined option.

Vehicle Collection at the Mitchell Antique Motorcar Museum

The Mitchell Antique Motorcar Museum focuses on historic vehicles. Its collection includes carriages from the late 19th century, as well as automobiles from 1904 through the 1920s. In addition, the museum houses the world’s largest collection of antique Mitchell automobiles and carriages. These dates provide a chronological framework; the name Mitchell indicates the focus on a particular automobile brand and its carriages. Unlike the Walking History Tour, which includes more than 20 points of interest, this museum focuses on vehicles and their era. Museum tours can be arranged by appointment through the Visitors Center. If you’re planning a tour, arrange your appointment before you arrive.

Discover more destinations: Blackwater

For the broader travel overview: Cooper.