Randolph: Railroad History, Nature and Recreation

Railroad history features at several places in Randolph. The Railroad Museum & Caboose focuses on the railroad industry, particularly the history of the Wabash Railroad. The Randolph County Historical Society Museum displays artifacts from the county, including extensive railroad history and genealogical records. Its collection also includes artifacts related to General Omar Bradley. Industrial development, regional memories and family history are all represented here.

Theater, Railroad and History

Built in 1913, the 4th Street Theater is considered the oldest vaudeville theater in Mid-Missouri. Another historic landmark is the Moberly Commercial Historic District, which is listed on the National Register in Randolph County. Its approximate boundaries run along West Coates, West Rollins, North Clark and Johnson Street. These street names provide a practical guide to the area, though the boundaries should not be taken as exact.

Railroad Days also features railroad themes. The program includes food booths, craft booths, live music and a carnival. If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the event dates and current program in advance. When the Railroad Museum & Caboose is open, tours of a caboose and the Pullman car Indiana are offered; check opening hours and tour times before your visit.

Natural Areas and Trails

The landscape can be explored through a variety of conservation areas. The West 43 Wilderness Area covers more than 43 acres of undeveloped land. It has simple trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and birdwatching. At 3,515 acres, the Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area is considerably larger and spans Boone, Howard and Randolph counties.

The Moniteau Wilderness Trail passes savannas, white oak forests, tallgrass prairie and the 48-acre Rudolf Bennitt Lake. The trail is open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. For nature enthusiasts, the trail’s succession of different landscapes makes it especially distinctive: savannas and forest sit alongside prairie and the lake. The Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area offers a different scale, encompassing a 4,950-acre reservoir.

Sugar Creek Lake covers 320 acres of land and water. Fish mentioned as available to anglers there include largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish. This adds a specific fishing connection to the hiking and nature offerings. Information about local conditions can be helpful when planning.

Golf and More Recreation

Rothwell Park has an archery range with 14 targets and two disc golf courses, each with 18 holes. This brings together different kinds of target and throwing sports. Heritage Hills in Moberly is an 18-hole golf course with a parkland layout. It offers an extensive program of tournaments and leagues for the public. The course hosts the Missouri Masters and the Missouri Women's Master annually. If you are planning to play golf or attend an event, check the relevant dates before your trip.

Motorsports are also part of the recreational offerings: HLR Motorsports Park has hosted racing events in the Midwest every summer since 1994. The summer races add a distinct seasonal highlight to the range of recreational activities. If you are planning a trip around an event, check the specific dates.

Clark and Access via Moberly

The Clark Amish Community is about 15 miles south of Moberly, Missouri. Visitors can find agricultural products, plants, flower bulbs and homemade specialties there. Individual businesses’ offerings and seasonal availability may vary, so check in advance if you are looking for something specific.

For road directions, Moberly is a useful reference point: a four-lane highway connects the town to Interstate 70, about 30 miles away.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Clark, Moberly, Hickory County, Taney, St. Francois County, Jackson, Vernon County and Christian County.

Return to the main travel overview: Missouri.