A former railroad depot, a covered bridge and floodplain forests reveal different sides of Linn County. In Marceline, museums tell stories of railroad and cultural history; natural areas turn your attention to meandering rivers, wetlands and wildlife. You can tailor your explorations to the subjects that interest you most.
Marceline: Disney Collection and Railroad History
The Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, Linn County, is housed in the former Santa Fe railroad depot. The museum covers 10,000 square feet, and its collection includes more than 4,000 artifacts. The Disney collection includes personal family artifacts donated by the Disney family. The museum was founded in 2001 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Walter Elias Disney. The original museum grew out of the personal collection of his sister, Ruth Disney Beecher.
Marceline’s history is also closely tied to the railroad: the Santa Fe Railway founded the town as a division point on its route between Kansas City and Chicago. The Marceline Railroad Story gallery tells the story of the railroad and coal mining in Marceline. Main Street USA offers another way to experience the town, with a street you can stroll along. The museum collection, railroad gallery and Main Street USA each offer a distinct perspective—from family artifacts and the history of work and transportation to a walk through town.
Covered Bridge and Pershing’s Life Story
The Locust Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1868 and was part of one of the earliest transcontinental roads in the United States. At 151 feet, it is the longest of the four surviving covered bridges in the state of Missouri. Its year of construction, connection to the road and size offer different points of reference for understanding the structure.
The Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site tells the life story of General John J. Pershing. Exhibits at Prairie Mound School show the different stages of Pershing’s life. Opening hours are also important when planning your visit: the office, Pershing Museum and Historic Site grounds are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check the hours before you arrive.
The Tillman House complements these historical insights with antiques and numerous connections to Linn County history. One exhibit there focuses on railroad history. The county offers different ways to explore the past—from Marceline’s development as a Santa Fe Railway division point to collections and exhibits about Pershing and the county’s history.
River Landscapes, Wetlands and Wildlife
Locust Creek Natural Area is located within Pershing State Park. A trail there takes you along a boardwalk through preserved floodplain forests. In northern Missouri, the area represents one of the last remaining examples of a landscape shaped by an actively meandering river system, with associated oxbow lakes, swamps and species-rich floodplain forests. The trail offers a direct connection to this distinctive river landscape. Pershing State Park is also an outstanding example of the wetland landscape that was once widespread in northern Missouri.
Fountain Grove Conservation Area puts greater emphasis on its importance as a resting place for wildlife. Located in the Grand River floodplain, the area serves as an important stopover for various wildlife species during migration. An active heron colony is found there along Locust Creek; its presence can vary by season. The two natural areas therefore offer different highlights: Locust Creek focuses on the preserved river landscape and floodplain forests, while Fountain Grove features a stopover for migrating wildlife and a heron colony.
Discover more destinations: Brookfield, St. Francois County, Lafayette, Pulaski, Cape Girardeau County, Johnson County, Jefferson, Platte
For the full travel overview: Missouri.
