New childhood toys exhibit on display this July-August
Now through August 31, relive your summer vacation with this special exhibit of toys, games, books, and more.
Local History
1904 Wabash Train derailment kills 8, injures 50, and rallies Warren County
In 1904, a Wabash Railroad train derailed near Warrenton, killing eight and injuring fifty. The wreck exposed the dangers of high-speed travel on poorly maintained tracks, prompted a major local rescue effort, and led to a legal battle over railroad negligence. It also highlighted ongoing safety challenges facing the rapidly expanding railroad industry.
How the “noble experiment” of Prohibition failed the Missouri Rhineland
Missourians, especially in the Rhineland, strongly opposed Prohibition, resisting both the law and the cultural pressures it brought. Amid widespread defiance, the region also endured harsh anti-German sentiments, as local traditions and livelihoods were targeted during a time of national upheaval.
Warrenton prepares for Taft Day, spectacle may “never be seen here again”
In October 1908, presidential nominee William Howard Taft made a campaign stop in Warrenton, drawing a large crowd from the town and nearby communities. He spoke briefly from his train, leaving a lasting impression on the local residents that affected the election outcome.
KWRE still going strong after seventy-five years
KWRE Radio has been broadcasting from Warren County for 75 years. The station’s formula has always been simple: authenticity.
Warrenton’s Teen Town was the place with “everything the heart of the youth craves” for over 20 years
“Youngsters, particularly those still in school, need a place of their own where they can dance, sing, play games, and have a soda bar.” The answer came in the form of Teen Towns, a popular nationwide trend that lasted a generation.
Watch the Big Boy’s Celebration Dinner program
Watch the roughly hour-long program recorded from the Big Boy’s Celebration Dinner, June 24, 2024 at Wright City Lion’s Club.
The Yeater murders and Warren County’s “most shocking crime ever committed”
The shocking murder of Henry Yeater and Nettie Yeater led investigators and family on a cross-country manhunt for William E. Church, the Yeater’s adopted son.
Waitresses, staff recall memories of Big Boy’s Restaurant
The waitresses and cook staff at the former Big Boy’s Restaurant recall memories of caring owners and hungry travelers.
Nearly 20 years later, travelers still remember unlimited fried chicken at Big Boy’s Restaurant in Wright City
For 81 years, Big Boy’s Restaurant in Wright City became a landmark for locals and a destination for travelers keen to devour an all-you-can-eat supply of fresh, fried chicken.