The Save Katy Station Community Event Sunday October 4, 2026
CoMo Preservation is part of Save the Katy Station, an apolitical alliance of Columbians from all walks of life, united by a love of Katy Station. Katy Station is a beloved and irreplaceable Columbia architectural and historical treasure. The coalition has been working toward finding a way to either keep the depot in its current location or move it nearby where it is still connected to its ties to the railway and accessible to the trail and downtown. Thank you to James Roark-Gruender for leading this coalition! Thank you to Shiloh Bar & Grill for being our generous host! [The venue use does not imply endorsement for or against Save Katy Station or its efforts,] We also want to thank our volunteers Mercy, Jen and Samantha for their work welcoming attendees and passing out materials.
The coalition of supporters invited the public to a community event on Sunday October 4, 2026. The community responded and filled Shiloh’s! From 5-6pm there was an opportunity to mingle and chat with other supporters of saving Katy Station while listening to Audra Sergel provide amazing live music. From 6-6:30 members of the coalition shared some of the history of Katy Station and explained why saving Katy Station matters so much to our community.
Coalition leader James Roark-Gruender shared that the prospective owner called and let him know that he wants to build something new on the spot where the depot now stands, but he agrees the depot should not be demolished and he wants a win-win outcome. James shared that the prospective owner is expecting to start building sometime in the spring instead of January or February 2027.
James also informed us all that engineers have confirmed that the depot can be safely moved and a moving company specializing in moving historic property has been located and is available. He also shared drawings of two possible locations that would keep the depot close to the old railway and our current trail: the Flat Branch Park and the SE corner of Broadway and Providence. Following presentations by various members of the coalition, the public was given a chance to ask questions and provide suggestions.
If you missed the community event, you can read about it in the Columbia Missourian at Community members come together to save and move Katy Station | Local | columbiamissourian.com. See CoMo Preservation’s comment at https://youtube.com/shorts/wUhgPGfgRs0?feature=share
Please go to https://www.savekatystation.org/ to learn more and to sign up to become part of the coalition!
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Please consider registering for the upcoming CoMo Brick & Mortar Tour led by Matt Fetterly on October 11 starting at Shiloh’s since the Katy Station is one of our first CoMo Brick & Mortar buildings and our speaker series presentation by Matt on October 12 the Story of the Katy Station at Shiloh’s! These will be free events, but please register at https://www.comopreservation.org/events so we know how many to expect.
Keep an eye on our Tours & Events page for more opportunities to learn about Columbia’s historic architecture.
Photos courtesy of Stephen Bybee and CoMo Preservation Volunteers Matt Fetterly and Elena Vega. 
CoMo Preservation is devoted to helping homeowners, landlords, and institutions prevent the destruction of historic architecture. Original period styles might be replicated, but will forever lack the social history of authentic structures. The preservation of historic places and spaces gives people a sense of place and boosts Columbia’s economy. You can get involved by becoming a member, volunteering, signing up for our newsletterattending an event, or donating.
