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The MKT Depot on Highway 90 has a long history. It was built in 1898, enlarged in
1919 and busy with passengers until 1957. Although passengers no longer rode
the train from Katy, the depot was still used for almost two more decades for
freight and cargo.
In 1978 the depot’s future was uncertain and a group of Katy citizens organized to save it. The
following year, that group became the Katy Heritage Society. The group oversaw
the move and restoration of the old building in 1979. The City of Katy moved it
again in 2006, to the present location. Today it is a beautiful museum and busy
Visitors Center. Many folks stop into the depot to learn about local railroad
history or visit with city staff about the Katy area.
Parked beside the depot is a red caboose. The Katy Heritage Society acquired
this caboose from the George Foundation in 1986. It was parked beside the depot
when it was located at Franz Road and Avenue D and moved with the depot to the
new Railroad Park three years ago. The caboose has become something of a
landmark for Katy, often used in local advertisements and a popular backdrop
for family photographs. The caboose has been painted to resemble an old MKT
railroad caboose
—but has a very different history.
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The caboose is actually a retired car from the Copper Range Railroad in
Michigan. The caboose was built for the CRRR for $2,177 sometime between 1910
and 1917. It remained in service for many years on the upper Keweenaw
Peninsula, the northernmost area of Michigan on Lake Superior. The CRRR
transported rich copper and iron ore deposits from 1873-1974.
In 1972 the caboose was sold to a private party for use as a guest room. For
unknown reasons, that conversion was never completed.
The caboose became the property of the George Foundation and placed in Arroyo
Seco Historical Park (today known as George Ranch Historical Park), but was not
restored until it was acquired by the Katy Heritage Society in 1986.
Since it arrived in Katy, it has been painted to resemble an MKT caboose. Steps
have recently been added to make it easier to see the interior, which is in
excellent original condition with a coal stove and a desk with CRRR paperwork
still in the drawers. The caboose is open to the public only for special events
but the Depot Visitors Center is open Monday through Saturday from10 a.m.-3
p.m.
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