The State Historical Society of Missouri kicks off the fall season of History on Elm Tuesday, September 9, at noon, at the Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm St., Columbia, featuring a presentation by author and trail advocate Dan Burkardt, who explores the rails-to-trails projects in Missouri. Burkardt’s recent book, Trails Across Missouri – The Katy and Rock Island, features photographs and history chronicling the trail’s recreational and economic opportunities.
A copy of the book is available in the Richard Bookstore inside the Center for Missouri Studies and online. Burkardt will sign books following his presentation. A short film on the Rock Island Trail by Columbia resident Jim Karpowicz will be shown at 11:50 a.m. before Burkardt’s talk. The program is free and open to the public.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Katy Trail State Park, a popular recreation trail that stretches along the Missouri River from Machens in St. Charles County to Clinton in Henry County. The first section of the rails-to-trails corridor opened in Rocheport in 1990. Today, the 240 miles of trail traverses some of the most scenic and historic parts of the state.
“Missouri has something no other state does – a cross-state pathway, America’s longest rail trail connecting its two largest urban areas,” said Burkardt, who will also provide updates on the remaining 144 miles of the Rock Island trail to be built from Windsor to Beaufort, MO.
After a career at Edward Jones, Burkardt worked with the company’s founder Ted Jones and created Magnificent Missouri to collaborate with Missouri State Parks and trail advocates to improve Missouri’s rail trails. Ted and Pat Jones provided the initial funding to establish the Katy Trail and help maintain the corridor. Now joined by the Rock Island Trail, the recreational trails bring hundreds of thousands of visitors a year to explore Missouri.
The State Historical Society of Missouri hosts History on Elm the second Tuesday of the month at noon. The series is sponsored by Central Bank of Boone County, Shortwave Coffee, and the State Historical Society. No registration is required. Visit SHSMO.org to learn about upcoming History on Elm series and other public programs offered at the State Historical Society of Missouri.
