"COME AWAY TO 'Downtown' WARRENSBURG"

This guide helps you discover the downtown Warrensburg business district.

(for directions to downtown, check below)

Begin your exploration by stopping by the world-famous statue to a dog, OLD DRUM, at the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn. The statue honors the "Tribute To A Dog" speech presented at the 1870 Old Drum trial by Senator (US & CS) George Graham Vest. Many visitors to downtown Warrensburg like to photograph their families next to Old Drum. Don't forget your camera.

A copy of the speech and directions to the county's Old Courthouse are available in the "Hometown Tourism" guide of attractions for Warrensburg and Johnson County - or at Old Drum page and National Register tour.

As you continue your exploration of the city's downtown business district, notice the architecture of the century old buildings. Pace your tour for the enjoyment of visiting the privately-owned businesses.

What business will you stop and visit? Downtown Warrensburg can offer flowers, teas, coffees, a good meal, clothing, jewelry, household needs, and even quaretr magazines. At the north end of downtown, you'll find the Trails Regional Library; just inside the entrance is a table where numerous magazines are for sale: only a quarter. Additional tourism brochures and assistance from the librarians about Warrensburg information will add to the welcome you will receive for coming to the downtown district.

Explore the shops along Holden, Market, East Pine, and to the corners of West Pine and Washington Sts. Along the way, you may find art displays, furniture, a large antique mall, shops promoting Central Missouri State University clothing, and businesses of Christian sales. The storefronts are for lingering and getting to know how the various business interests of our downtown might serve you.

Since you may visit the downtown district during times when some businesses may be closed, this brochure is developed to only introduce you to locating the downtown district so you can explore the downtown and then return when the businesses of your choice are open.

If you arrive during business hours, several businesses such as the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce (in the train depot at 100 S. Holden, (660)747-3168), the Trails Regional Library (432 N. Holden, (660)747-9177), Warrensburg Main Street, Inc. (109 N. Holden, (660)429-5490), and owners and employees at any of the businesses will welcome you and direct you to downtown places of your interests.

Finding downtown Warrensburg From the North - South - East - West

• The GPS coordinates of the center of downtown (corner of Holden & Culton) are N 38-45.844; W 93-44.415
• FROM THE NORTH - Follow highway MO-13 south across US-50 to the intersection of MO-13 (Maguire Street) and Gay Street; this corner has a stop light and a Jiffy Lube. Turn west (right) on Gay St., for 2 blocks until you reach the corner of N. Holden & Gay Sts (2nd 4-way stop). Look to your left and notice the painted mural and then turn south (left) on Holden St. One block on your right you will see the 1898 Johnson County Courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. You are now in the business district. Park and begin your walking tour of downtown.
• FROM THE SOUTH - Follow highway MO-13 north to the first stop light, the intersection of MO-13 and Hale Lake Road/DD highway (Hale Lake Rd goes to the left while DD highway goes to the right). Turn west (left) on Hale Lake Rd for one block to the 4-way stop at S. Holden. Notice the entrance to CMSU's Pertle Springs recreational facility on the left. Turn right at the stop sign and go north on S. Holden St., passing through a portion of the CMSU campus. When you cross the railroad tracks at the train depot (Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce office), you have entered the downtown business district. Park and begin your walking tour of downtown Warrensburg.
• FROM THE WEST - Follow Highway US-50 east to the "Business 50 exit" for Warrensburg. This exit is a right exit from US-50 before you reach main US-50 and MO-13 interchange (if you miss this exit, take the MO-13 exit and follow the "From the North" instructions above). Take this exit and follow Business 50 (Young Street) to the first stop light. Turn right (south) on N. Holden St. A business district sign will be at this intersection. At the next 4-way stop (Gay Street), look to your left and notice the painted mural. One block on your right you will see the 1898 Johnson County Courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. You are now in the business district. Park and begin your walking tour of downtown.
• FROM THE EAST - Follow highway US-50 west to the MO-13 exit ("Warrensburg"). From the top of the exit ramp, turn left (south) and cross over the interchange bridge. Follow MO-13, known in the city limits as Maguire St., south to the stop light at the intersection of Maguire and Gay Streets (Jiffy Lube). Turn west (right) on Gay St., for 2 blocks until you reach the corner of N. Holden & Gay Sts (2nd 4-way stop). Look to your left and notice the painted mural and then turn south (left) on Holden St. One block on your right you will see the 1898 Johnson County Courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. You are now in the business district. Park and begin your walking tour of downtown.