The little red caboose has become a point of reference in historic downtown Wentzville, but few know its history. The caboose was built around 1942. When the railroad no longer needed it, it was purchased by McDonald’s, who set it up at their St. Peters location to be used for children’s parties.
In 2000, the caboose was purchased by the Wentzville Arts and Entertainment Council. At that time, an outline of Ronald McDonald could still be seen on one side, visible under the fading red paint. When that Council folded in 2003, they donated the caboose to the Wentzville Community Historical Society.
In 2007, then–Historical Society President Larry Marshall worked to raise funds to renovate the caboose. Under Mr. Marshall’s direction, the caboose was repaired and remodeled inside and out and began to be used as a historical museum. In 2013, a deck was added.
The caboose is now used for Historical Society Board meetings and is open to the public during festivals or by appointment. Exhibits are changed periodically inside the museum, so don’t assume that you’ve seen it all if you were inside one time. Wentzville has a lot of history to be experienced!