The Caboose Museum
The Caboose Museum opened July 4, 2020, to tell the story of the importance of the railroad coming to the Missouri river Valley. Tons like Pacific (formerly Franklin), Washington, New Haven (formerly Miller's Landing), Berger, Herman, Gasconade and Jefferson City valued this important means of transporting goods and passengers across Missouri and to all parts of the country.
The railroads expanded rapidly from the mid-1800's to the end of the 19th century, reaching across the North American continent in 1869. This accomplishment furthered the development of the United States economically, politically and culturally as a unified whole. The dream of achieving this goal began with President Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase of 1803, and continued with the Lewis & Clark expedition of 1804.
In 1855 a railroad tragedy occurred near the town of Gasconade, 6 miles west of Hermann. The very first train traveling from St. Louis to Jefferson City plunged into the Gasconade River as a result of a catastrophic bridge failure. Approximately thirty distinguished guests were killed, never reaching the Missouri State Capitol to celebrate this historic transportation link. The survivors spent their first night in Hermann where the Leimer Hotel on Wharf Street served as both a temporary hospital and mortuary.
The City of Hermann
this page online
Erected 2020 by The City of Hermann, Missouri.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 2020.
Location. 38° 42.41′ N, 91° 25.959′ W. Marker is in Hermann, Missouri, in Gasconade County. Marker is on East 1st Street (State Highway 100) just east of Gutenberg Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 Gutenberg St, Hermann MO 65041, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Monnig Family General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); 232 Wharf St. (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Trails Juncture (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Voyage of Discovery (about 400 feet away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri (about 400 feet away); Hermann (about 600 feet away); The Concert Hall and Barrel Bar (about 600 feet away); Schlender Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hermann.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
