City of Katy Railroad Park and MKT Depot Museum

Located in a small pocket park, the City of Katy Railroad Park includes the MKT Depot Museum and the Visitor Information Center. The MKT Depot Museum is housed in the historic Katy Depot building constructed in 1898. The museum features life-sized exhibits related to early twentieth-century train transportation in Katy, Texas, including a caboose on display outside. The depot was rescued from demolition in the late 1970s by the Katy Heritage Society, which formed in order to save the building. In 2010, the Katy Heritage Society launched a public art project called "All aboard, Katy!" The project involved the installation of several hand-painted locomotives around town to highlight Katy's heritage as a railroad hub.

In the 1890s, the Union Pacific Railroad was extended into Texas with the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad line. The extension of the railroad into Texas became a driving force for new settlers arriving in the area. The main MKT line ran south from Kansas City, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, with a second Southern line that ran from Smithville, Texas, to Houston. When the railroad arrived in Katy, Texas, it connected the town with the region and beyond. This allowed for new economic opportunities, as goods could more easily be shipped further away and more quickly to reach new markets. Passenger train travel proved to be significantly faster and more comfortable compared to the horse-and-wagon modes of transportation that preceded it. Over time, other local train stations were closed down, and the Katy Depot grew in importance as a railroad hub. The last two letters in the acronym "MKT" are believed to be the genesis for the name "Katy."

Established in 1979, the Katy Heritage Society operates the MKT Depot Museum, and it also owns the red caboose that was relocated to the site in 2005. Museum tours on site share the history of the Katy Depot, showing visitors how the depot had segregated waiting rooms and noting that the depot continued to offer passenger train service until 1957, when it was officially closed down. Thereafter, the building was abandoned. By the late 1970s, the depot was slated for demolition, and in response, the Katy Heritage Society was formed in an attempt to save it. They were successful, and the depot was recognized as a City of Katy Landmark. In 1979, the depot was moved to its present location, where it has since been maintained as a public museum. 

In addition to operating the City of Katy Railroad Park and MKT Depot Museum, the Katy Heritage Society collaborates with the City of Katy to maintain the Katy Heritage Park, a cluster of historic houses from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. These homes have been moved to a separate park within the city, approximately 12 miles from the MKT Railroad Park, where they have been preserved as museums. Each house has been decorated with period-appropriate historical furnishings and decor, reflecting life in Katy over one hundred years ago. The houses are usually open for tours in the afternoons during the first weekend of every month. They are also available for private rental and special events.

Home, Katy Heritage Society. Accessed May 25th, 2023. https://www.katyheritagesociety.com/.

"Katy, TX", Up. Accessed May 25th, 2023. https://www.up.com/aboutup/train_town/katy_tx/index.htm.

"MKT Depot Museum," Facebook. Accessed May 25th, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/MKTDepotMuseum.

"Parks and Facilities", City of Katy, Parks and Recreation Department. Accessed May 25th, 2023. https://www.cityofkaty.com/government/city-departments/parks-recreation/parks-facilities.

Woods, Peggy . "MKT Railroad Museum with Caboose and Depot in Katy, Texas", Wander Wisdom. March 7th, 2003. Accessed May 25th, 2023. https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/M-K-T-Railroad-Museum-with-Caboose-Depot-in-Katy-Texas.