Collierville brings together several themes that can be considered separately when planning a trip: railroad history, trails for walking and exercise, and a natural area in a floodplain. There is also a local Civil War trail, the Morton Museum of Collierville History and seasonal culture. You can prioritize these interests as you wish rather than combining them into a fixed itinerary. This means a stay can include a choice of both technical history and nature and cultural topics.
Railroad History: Locomotive and Executive Car
The Frisco 1351 steam locomotive came to Collierville in 1992. It was originally numbered Frisco 1313 and was built by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York, in September 1912. In November 1943, it was rebuilt with additional wheels under the cab and a larger boiler; it was retired in 1952. The two numbers therefore do not refer to two locomotives, but to the original and later designations of this vehicle.
Collierville’s Executive Car was converted into a parlor car in the 1940s. Its features include three bedrooms, a shower, a dining room, a kitchen and quarters for the cook. While the Frisco 1351 highlights the sequence of construction, rebuilding and retirement, the car draws attention to its interiors. Together, they offer two different perspectives on railroad history: a locomotive’s technical career and the layout of a parlor car.
Trails, Exercise and Nature
The Collierville Greenbelt System offers 18.58 miles of opportunities for walking and exercise. Its trails connect neighborhoods, parks, schools and business areas; they also provide an alternative way to get around.
A specific workout option is available at H. W. Cox Park: the QR Fit Trail provides on-demand workout videos that you can access on a smartphone using QR codes. This makes it different from the Greenbelt System: the QR Fit Trail focuses on smartphone-based workouts, while the Greenbelt is a network of connecting trails.
Robbins-Halle Nature Preserve encompasses 99.89 acres of natural hardwood forest in a floodplain. The boardwalk at Peterson Lake Nature Center is located in W. C. Johnson Park. Since facilities can change, check the boardwalk’s condition before visiting.
Culture and Visit Planning
The local Civil War trail is part of the multistate Civil War Trails system. This makes it possible to understand it both as an attraction in Collierville and in the context of a system that spans several states.
Throughout the Christmas season, The Polar Express is featured in the StoryWalk program as a special holiday story and tradition. Unlike this seasonal offering, Collierville Town Square welcomes visitors year-round; individual businesses may have varying opening hours.
The Morton Museum of Collierville History is listed as open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check the current schedule before setting out so you can plan your museum visit accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Brunswick, Fisherville, Bartlett, Memphis, Millington
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