Saving the Grand Staircase: a relic of Poplar Bluff’s rail age

The Poplar Bluff Museum tell many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

Poplar Bluff’s grand staircase was built in in 1910 by the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway. It connected the depot with Main Street in downtown Poplar Bluff. The staircase was the town’s premier landmark adding substance and style to the pioneer town. At the top of the staircase was the fabulous Dunn Hotel. The staircase was constructed of concrete including the balusters and railings. In 1917, the Missouri Pacific Railroad took over the depot and staircase, followed by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1983.

When passenger service was discontinued, the depot and stairs fell into disrepair. The Poplar Bluff Historic Depot Restoration Corporation was formed and the stairway was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Union Pacific donated the depot and stairway to the organization. They raised funds and secured loans to restore the property. The Butler County Historical Preservation Society contributed $25,000.

In 2016, the staircase was rebuilt by the Concrete Strategies LLC with the design and engineering by the S.H. Smith and Company. The project was such a significant accomplishment that it was awarded Best Project by the Engineering News Record.

The Poplar Bluff Historic Depot Restoration Corporation donated one of the original concrete balusters to the Butler County Historical Preservation Society. It is on display in the Butler County Historical Preservation Society Room of the Poplar Bluff Museum.

The museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge 1-4 p.m. Sunday at 1010 Main St. Tell them Mike sent you.

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.