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Sedalia, Missouri: Trail's End Cattle Drive Destination Monument

Elaborate monument (including statues and a train) celebrates the end of the trail of the first post-Civil War cattle drive. Unveiled April 2015.

Address:
W. 16th St., Sedalia, MO
Directions:
On the southwest corner of W. 16th St. and US Hwy 65, but inside the fence of the Missouri State Fairgrounds. Entry to the site is through the State Fairgrounds gate on W. 16th St. just past the monument.
Admission:
Free except during the State Fair.
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Visitor Tips and News About Trail's End Cattle Drive Destination Monument

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Drovers' Memorial

The park is now complete. Lots of free parking adjacent to the park, inside the State Fairgrounds. Kiosks provide information as well as an interactive recording -- which plays through your phone -- of what it all means. Local celebrity Leroy Van Dyke narrates the introduction.

[Scott Lawson, 02/02/2019]
Trails End Monument

There's a beautiful sculpture of longhorn cattle and cowboy along with a restored train from that period. It was done by citizens with an interest in Sedalia history. Entry is through the gate into the State Fairgrounds on West 16th Street and is free except during State Fair days. It has recorded information you can listen to and personalized bricks laid at the base. These are still available, if someone is interested, at the Katy Depot at 600 E. 3rd. Street in Sedalia.

[jbushp, 07/09/2016]
Trail's End - Cattle Drive Destination Monument

This attraction is still in the process of being completed, and the people who put this together are continually working to make this attraction a good one. A parking lot is being built behind the monument; access will be at the State Fair gate up 16th Street. There is an information sign on the south end that tells about the monument and the cattle trails that the cattlemen used. There are markers in front of most objects explaining what they are. They are talking about moving the fence that is in front.

[Dean Ray Patterson, 06/19/2015]
Trail's End Cattle Drive Destination Monument

Not impressed! Nowhere nearby to park and walk up to the monument. No information. Luckily we did not venture far off route to see this!

[Sara W., 05/28/2015]

End of the Trail.

Trail's End Cattle Drive Destination Monument

In 1866 Confederate soldiers returning to Texas found a surplus of cattle. The people back east were hungry for beef, so the Texas cattlemen drove their cattle to the nearest railhead in Sadelia, Missouri. "The Trail's End" monument is dedicated to the drovers, and the town of Sedalia, as portrayed in the television show, "Rawhide." The monument is a group of statues that include some longhorn and other cattle, a dog, and a drover on a horse (There is also a windmill and a water tower).

Behind them is a stretch of track with an engine and a coal car, a cattle car, and a rare drover's car. The engine blows smoke. April 25, 2015 was the dedication day.

[Dean Ray Patterson, 04/29/2015]

Fans of the original Blues Brothers film will be familiar with "Rawhide's" catchy theme song.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Cradle of Ragtime PianoCradle of Ragtime Piano, Sedalia, MO - 2 mi.
Nicholas Beazley Aviation MuseumNicholas Beazley Aviation Museum, Marshall, MO - 28 mi.
John Marshall, SCOTUS JusticeJohn Marshall, SCOTUS Justice, Marshall, MO - 29 mi.
In the region:
Old Jail, Boonville, MO - 34 mi.

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