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HISTORY
The Old Stagecoach Stop in the Waynesville Town Square was first constructed and opened by William Walter McDonald on land purchased in 1854. The hotel was originally a double pen log building and served as a stop on the St. Louis to Springfield stage route.
During the Civil War, the building was commandeered for use as a post hospital when Union soldiers were positioned at a fort on the hill above the town square. It is assumed that after the war, McDonald returned to using the business, and the building, for stagecoaches and hotel purposes.
As the railroad moved into Pulaski County, the stagecoach business began to decline, though the building continued to be used as a hotel and boarding house under a succession of owners.
By World War II and the Korean War, soldiers continued to be housed at the building, then known as the old hotel. In the mid-1960s, the building had fallen into such a state of disrepair that operations and even remodeling was far too expensive.
The building sat vacant for the next 20 years, before being condemned in 1982 and earmarked for demolition. In 1983, the building was successfully saved and sold to Gene and Maxine Farnham and James and Connie Martin for $40,000.
CURRENT
PURPOSE
After the sale of the building, the Old Stagecoach Stop Foundation was formed to stabilize and restore the building, which was accomplished by October 1984.
The building now serves as a house museum with rooms dedicated to different eras and purposes, such as a dentist office that operated from 1936 to 1941.
The building is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday, April through September. Tours and visits have been extended this year, due to the ‘Journey Stories’ exhibit.
For more information, visit www.oldstagecoachstop.org.
HISTORY
The Old Stagecoach Stop in the Waynesville Town Square was first constructed and opened by William Walter McDonald on land purchased in 1854. The hotel was originally a double pen log building and served as a stop on the St. Louis to Springfield stage route.
During the Civil War, the building was commandeered for use as a post hospital when Union soldiers were positioned at a fort on the hill above the town square. It is assumed that after the war, McDonald returned to using the business, and the building, for stagecoaches and hotel purposes.
As the railroad moved into Pulaski County, the stagecoach business began to decline, though the building continued to be used as a hotel and boarding house under a succession of owners.
By World War II and the Korean War, soldiers continued to be housed at the building, then known as the old hotel. In the mid-1960s, the building had fallen into such a state of disrepair that operations and even remodeling was far too expensive.
The building sat vacant for the next 20 years, before being condemned in 1982 and earmarked for demolition. In 1983, the building was successfully saved and sold to Gene and Maxine Farnham and James and Connie Martin for $40,000.
CURRENT
PURPOSE
After the sale of the building, the Old Stagecoach Stop Foundation was formed to stabilize and restore the building, which was accomplished by October 1984.
The building now serves as a house museum with rooms dedicated to different eras and purposes, such as a dentist office that operated from 1936 to 1941.
The building is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday, April through September. Tours and visits have been extended this year, due to the ‘Journey Stories’ exhibit.
For more information, visit www.oldstagecoachstop.org.
