The city of Boone grew up when the railroads arrived in the 1800s. Trains are still rumbling through Boone (about 70 a day).  The Kate Shelley High Bridge carries the mainline of the Union Pacific Railroad over the Des Moines River Valley west of Boone. This bridge is the longest and highest double-track bridge in the world, and was finished in 1901. The bridge is located 3 1/2 miles northwest of Boone. Visitors can reach the bridge by heading north on Marion Street to 198th Road, and taking a left turn onto the blacktop road to the bridge. This bridge is named for Kate Shelley, a 15-year-old girl.  During a terrible rain storm the night of July 6, 1818, Kate crawled across the bridge to warn an oncoming passenger train to stop. Thus doing, she saved many passenger deaths.

Railroads were expanding rapidly in those days and they built north to Gowrie and Rockwell City for connections with other railroads. The line underwent several name changes, management, and goals.  By 1907 the railroad reached Fort Dodge and Des Moines, the line was electrified, and interurban cars were operational.

 At its peak, electric cars were operated on an hourly basis. As automobiles became numerous, passenger service was cut back, but the line continued to push freight business. With the increase in gypsum mills, sewer pipe, and drain tile, freight business flourished, especially in the Fort Dodge area.

The last interurban cars were operated in September of 1955, electric lines were removed, and diesel engines handled the freight business. In 1968 the Chicago & North Western purchased the entire line. Shortly thereafter, portions of the line were discontinued, but they did continue serving some grain elevators and shippers with freight service until 1983.

A group in Boone formed the "Boone Railroad Historical Society."  They purchased 11.3 miles of track, including the bridges, in order that this scenic portion of the line might be preserved. The first trip handling passengers was made in November 1983. Tickets were sold out of a tent for rides out onto the high bridge.

In 1984, work was begun on the present depot, which was dedicated in 1985. Other buildings have been acquired, along with additional equipment which is being restored, as funds become available.

To drive there, you would proceed north from Highway 30 on Story Street to 8th Street, then proceed west four blocks to Carroll Street, and then 1/2 block south.  For more information on the birthplace of Mamie Doud Eisenhower, contact the museum at 515-432-1896.

The Dragoon Trail stretched from the Missouri line to the northern Iowa border as the first U.S. Dragoons under Colonel Stephen W. Kearney followed their assignment of exploring and mapping the state of Iowa in the mid-1830s. Boone was one of the Iowa towns on the Dragoon Trail route. On June 14, 1938, the Iowa Society DAR dedicated and placed an inscribed historical marker on a boulder to mark the trail.

The marker is located on Division Street.  From Highway 30, turn north on Story Street and continue north to Mamie Eisenhower Avenue.  Turn left (west) and drive nine blocks to Division Street where you will see the marker in a grass triangle.