From May, 1871 to July, 1982, a railroad ran from Lexington to Sedalia through Concordia. The Lexington and St. Louis Railroad Company was incorporated on December 9, 1859, and from the 1880's to the 1930's this was a busy track. Passenger service was discontinued in the 1940's, and the last freight train rolled over the track on July 29, 1982. The depot was sold and relocated in 1976. After service was abandoned and the track removed, the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company donated Central Park, appraised at $56,408, to the city; the city had leased it from the company since May 11, 1911. Missouri Pacific Caboose number 13645, a gift of the Union Pacific Railway Company, was placed in the park on March 10, 1989, as a reminder of this railroad history.