The KATY DEPOT was built in 1890 and is the M.K.&T.'s oldest surviving wooden station. Checotah was established as a railhead in 1872. To the station came cattlemen, settlers, farmers, theatrical stars and national baseball teams. It became the center of commercial shipping, which shipped gourmet food, fine china, furniture, cotton, corn, and other crops to urban areas everywhere.

Last used for passenger service in 1965, it was placed on the Oklahoma Landmark Inventory in 1980. It was purchased by the Checotah Landmark Preservation Society for $10 in 1985 when it was slated for destruction. It was moved to Paul Carr Drive in 1986. Exterior restoration began in 1987, and with partial interior restoration completed, it opened as a Tourist Information Center in 1988. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, it continues the KATY tradition ... linking Checotah and the world!

The depot now holds a collection of the town's heritage including railroad, pioneer businesses, cowboys and Indians, military and the Civil War Battle of Honey Springs memorabilia. Other features are the M.K.T. Caboose #205, a 14 Flag historical display, the Paul Henry Carr Monument, and a scale model of USS CARR (FFG-52) a Guided Missile Frigate which honors the WWII Hero from Checotah.