GRAVETTE — The Kansas City Southern Railway Caboose #383 located at Gravette in Benton County is one of eight properties that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the country’s official list of historically significant properties, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program Director Frances McSwain announced last Wednesday.

The Kansas City Southern Railway Caboose #383, located northwest of the junction of Highways 72 and 59, is a bay window caboose built by the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad in 1952.

“Caboose #383 was retired from the Kansas City Southern on August 2, 1990,” the National Register nomination says.

“After the caboose was retired from active service, it was given to the city of Gravette and delivered to Gravette in May, 1991. After two years of work, the caboose and surrounding Centennial Park were dedicated in 1993. The caboose can be seen in downtown Gravette, adjacent to the Kansas City Southern railroad line as a reminder of the railroad’s role in the history of Gravette.

The City of Gravette was founded in 1893 when the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad rail line was extended to Gravette. The KCP&G became known as the Kansas City Southern in 1897.

News, Pages 1 on 10/13/2010