Built in 1913, the 4th Street Theater is considered the oldest vaudeville theater in Mid-Missouri. Its construction date and special status give Randolph’s stage and entertainment history a tangible point of reference.
Vaudeville, Railroads and History
The Randolph County Historical Society Museum displays memorabilia from Randolph County, including extensive railroad history and genealogical collections. The museum also preserves artifacts related to General Omar Bradley. The collections thus bring together local heritage, family history and a well-known figure.
For a different perspective on railroads, visit the Railroad Museum & Caboose, dedicated to the railroad industry, with a focus on the history of the Wabash Railroad. When the museum is open, tours are offered of a caboose and the Pullman car Indiana. The Railroad Days program can change from year to year; it includes food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, live music and a fair.
The area’s architectural heritage is also tangible: National Register listings in Randolph County include the Moberly Commercial Historic District. The district is roughly bounded by West Coates, West Rollins, North Clark and Johnson Street. These four street names help pinpoint the historic district.
Open Landscapes and Trails
The West 43 Wilderness Area covers more than 43 acres of undeveloped land. Its easy trails are intended for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and bird-watching. This makes it possible to enjoy a range of activities in a landscape whose undeveloped character is an explicit part of the area’s appeal.
The Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area spans Boone, Howard and Randolph counties and covers 3,515 acres. The Moniteau Wilderness Trail passes savannas, white oak forests, tallgrass prairie and 48-acre Rudolf Bennitt Lake. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are permitted on the trail. Those who enjoy taking in the landscape while on the move will find a distinct progression here from open spaces to forest and lake.
Water areas offer their own highlights: the Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area includes a 4,950-acre reservoir. Sugar Creek Lake encompasses 320 acres of land and water and is suitable for fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish. These details offer different ways to choose a nature-focused outing—from a large reservoir to a lake with named fish species.
Golf, Recreation and Special Events
Rothwell Park has an archery range with 14 targets and two disc golf courses, each with 18 holes. The exact numbers distinguish the two offerings and give you a quick overview of the facilities available there.
Heritage Hills in Moberly is an 18-hole golf course with a parkland layout. It offers an extensive schedule of tournaments and leagues that is also open to the public. The Missouri Masters and the Missouri Women's Master are held at the course each year. If you want to plan your trip around one of these tournaments, check the event dates in advance, as the annual schedule may change.
Motorsports adds another option: HLR Motorsports Park has hosted racing events every summer in the Midwest since 1994. The range of recreational options therefore extends from facilities for individual sports to seasonal racing events.
The Clark Amish Community in Missouri is about 15 miles south of Moberly. Offerings for visitors include farm produce, plants, bulbs and homemade specialties. Individual businesses and seasonal availability may change; if you’re making a special trip for a particular offering, check what’s currently available beforehand.
For road travel, Moberly is connected by a four-lane highway to Interstate 70, about 30 miles away. The approximate distance and road connection provide a useful point of reference without specifying an exact travel time.
Discover more destinations: Clark, Moberly, Callaway, New Madrid County, Boone, Benton County, Johnson County, Ozark County.
For the broader travel overview: Missouri.
