Kate Shelley Railroad Museum

On July 6, 1881, Kate Shelley, a 15 -year-old farm girl from Moingona. crawled across the long Des Moines Railroad bridge during a raging nighttime storm, to warn that an oncoming passenger train must be halted or it would crash through a ruined trestle. The museum is on the exact site the railroad depot stood in Moingona in 1881.

Highlights of the Museum:

• -Artifacts and photographs relating to Kate Shelley's life.
• -Recreated 19th century railroad passenger station
• -Working telegraph system
• -Railroad equipment and memorabilia
• -Follow Kate's route on a trail that leads to the Des Moines River bridge site
• -Scenic Walking trails

Hours:

• Open by appointment call 515-432-1907

Free admission

Directions:

From Boone, take Highway 30 west to county road to R18 and turn left heading south on R18 to Moingona Road, and turn left heading East until you reach Moingona and follow signs.