La Plata
About La Plata
La Plata, in northern Macon County, began as a trading post in 1827, established by Drury Davis. The town was platted in 1855 and incorporated in 1881, gaining its name—Spanish for “silver”—after Louis Gex won a straw-drawing contest against Thomas Saunders, who favored “Charlottesville.” The name was inspired by prairie grasses that shimmered like a “silver river.”
La Plata’s growth was fueled by the railroads. The North Missouri Railroad (later Wabash) arrived in 1867, followed by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in the 1880s, which made La Plata a key crossroads for shipping livestock, timber, and grain. The town also became a hub for the pipeline industry and agriculture-based businesses, from poultry hatcheries to a fur trade with global reach.
La Plata’s heritage is preserved through its many historic sites:
- La Plata Square Historic District – 36 historic buildings, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2008).
- Amtrak Station – Built in 1945, restored, and still an active stop on the Southwest Chief route, complete with Virtual Railfan cameras.
- Olive Gilbreath-McLorn House (1896) and Dent Home – Historic residences on the National Register, the latter celebrating Lester Dent (1904–1959), the La Plata native who created pulp hero Doc Savage.
- Lookout Point Park – A favorite for railfans, with 50–70 trains passing daily.
- Depot Inn & Suites – A railroad-themed hotel filled with memorabilia.
Today, La Plata blends its railroad heritage, historic architecture, and literary legacy with a welcoming small-town atmosphere. Its library is also known for one of the best genealogical collections in northeast Missouri.
Directions
EAT AND DRINK
Backyard Brewz
100 E. Benton
La Plata, MO
Phone: (660) 621-0834
https://www.facebook.com/people/Backyard-Brewz/61575448259362/
El Cantarito Mexican Cuisine
1155 N Brown Street
La Plata, MO 63549
Phone: (660) 332-4065
https://www.elcantaritomexicancuisine.online/
La Plata Farmers Market
East Side of City Park
La Plata, MO 63549
Phone: (660) 332-7166
https://missourigrownusa.com/members/7995
Santa Fe Cafe
121 S. Gex Street
La Plata, MO 63549
Phone: (641) 217-0260
https://www.facebook.com/p/Santa-Fe-Cafe-100029409678692/
Smitty's Tavern
209 S. Gex Street
La Plata, MO 63549
Phone: (660) 332-4232
LODGING
Depot Inn and Suites
1245 N Brown Street
LaPlata, MO 63549
Phone: 866-994-8471
Website: https://depotinn.com/
America’s railroad heritage is on proud display at Depot Inn & Suites, whose inner corridors double as a gallery for artifacts from trains throughout the ages. This railroad-themed hotel boasts a heated indoor pool and a live feed of the nearby BNSF mainline.
The hotel’s guest rooms and suites act as stationary sleeper cars; standard rooms boast free WiFi, rocker recliners, and refrigerators, while suites also include luxuries such as fireplaces and jetted tubs.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
La Plata City Lake
Leopard Avenue
Phone: (660) 332-7166
Website: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/la-plata-city-lake
Just 2½ miles east of La Plata on Hwy 156, this 81-acre “No Wake” lake offers fishing for bass, catfish, crappie, and sunfish. The campground features 30 first-come, first-served sites with electric/water hookups, a dump station, picnic tables, and fire pits. Visitors can also enjoy the 18-hole disc golf course.
La Plata Golf Course
301 S. Hastings Street
La Plata, MO 63549
Phone: (660) 332-4584
Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/La-Plata-Golf-Course/100057095184833/
The La Plata Golf Course was established in 1932 when the George Hastings family donated land, and local volunteers constructed the first six holes. By 1933, a 9-hole course was complete, with early golfers including many of the town’s residents.
Over the decades, the course grew and improved: new layouts in 1967 and 1990 added length, safety, and landscaping, and a second 9-hole course opened in 2000 with ponds, sand traps, and scenic fairways.
Today, the course is a proud product of community effort, offering golfers a beautiful and challenging experience in the heart of La Plata.
LOCAL EVENTS
La Plata Soybean Festival (annual)
September 5 - September 7, 2026
206 E. Moore Street, La Plata, MO
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/2018612898776245
Celebrate community, music, and fun all weekend long during the 2026 LaPlata Soybean Festival! We’ve got something for everyone:
- Salt River Band live on stage with toe-tapping bluegrass
- Live performances from our Gary Cunningham Talent Show
- LHS FCCLA Kids Movie Night — family fun for the little ones
- Enjoy ice cream and pie served throughout the festival, with proceeds benefiting the GCEC Community Fund — treats that give back!
Bring your friends, bring your family, and come enjoy a full weekend of entertainment, food, and hometown fun. You won’t want to miss it!
HISTORY AND CULTURE
La Plata Historical Museum
215 S. Gex Street
La Plata, MO 63549
Phone: (660) 651-6129
Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/Friends-For-La-Plata-Preservation/100064380831735/
*The museum is open by appointment and for special events. Call 660-651-6129 to schedule a visit.*
The La Plata Historical Museum preserves the rich history and culture of La Plata and the surrounding area. A special section celebrates Lester Dent, the La Plata native and author of the Doc Savage pulp fiction series, featuring original magazines, reprints, and Dent’s personal desk from his home. The museum also showcases memorabilia from local businesses, schools, and the Santa Fe and Wabash Railroads, including yearbooks, photographs, and other artifacts.
Lester and Norma Dent House
225 N. Church Street
La Plata, MO 63549
*This home is a private residence. While tours inside are not offered, most people appreciate it by viewing the exterior from the street as part of a historic driving or walking tour of La Plata. Contact the La Plata Historical Society for more information about Lester Dent.*
This La Plata home was the residence of Lester Dent (1904–1959), one of America’s most influential pulp fiction writers and the creator of the legendary adventure hero Doc Savage. Writing under the pen name Kenneth Robeson, Dent authored the majority of the Doc Savage stories, helping shape the action-adventure genre during the 1930s and 1940s. Built in 1941 and nicknamed the “House of Gadgets” for its inventive features, the home reflects Dent’s imagination and inventive spirit. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it connects Macon County to a major chapter in American popular literature.
Olive Gilbreath-McLorn Historical Home
225 N. Owenby
La Plata, MO 63549
Website: https://www.facebook.com/OliveGilbrethMclornHistoricalHome
*The Olive Gilbreath-McLorn Historical Home is open for special events, including an annual quilt show.*
Built in 1896, this Queen Anne and Eastlake style home was the family residence of Olive Gilbreath-McLorn, a La Plata–born writer and journalist whose work connected rural Missouri to the wider world. Educated at Wellesley College and the University of Michigan, she published essays and book-length narratives inspired by extensive international travel, particularly in Europe and Russia during the early 20th century. Her writing appeared in leading publications including Harper’s Magazine, Asia Magazine, and The Yale Review. Her papers are preserved at the State Historical Society of Missouri, and the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
MEETING AND EVENT SPACE
Silver Rails Event Center (Gary Cunningham Event Center)
206 E. Moore Street
La Plata, MO 63549
Phone: (660) 626-9844
Email: manager@garycunninghameventcenter.com
Website: https://www.garycunninghameventcenter.com/
The Gary Cunningham Event Center offers charming railroad-themed ambiance and versatile amenities equipped to cater to diverse client needs. It offers seating for up to 250 guests and a stage! Tables, chairs, linens, caterers kitchen, etc. available.
SHOPPING
Christy’s Auction Barn
125 E. Sanders
La Plata, MO 63549
Phone: (660) 341-4531
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091412072527
Christy’s Auction Service in La Plata offers a full range of auction services, handling everything from antiques and collectibles to household goods, tools, farm equipment, and real estate. Family-operated and well-established in the region, they host both in-person and online sales, with regularly updated listings for buyers and convenient consignment options for sellers. Whether you're searching for unique finds or needing professional help to market property, Christy’s Auction Service provides reliable, experienced service right in the heart of Macon County. Check Facebook for upcoming events.