WHAT TO DO?

While we do our absolute best to keep drivers from waiting around, there’s still a lot to be said for hanging out around Excelsior Springs, especially if you’re having your truck serviced or are just driving through the area. Here are a few of our favorite hangouts.

WATKINS WOOLEN MILL

While an old, dusty wool-mill may not be your idea of fun, there’s so much more to this historic site than meets the eye. The mill takes up over 1,000 acres of protected land, which includes the original, preserved mill (built in 1860), as well as the lake nearby.

The mill, which once produced wool and yarn, was largely self-sufficient for over 20 years. By 1886 production began to decline after the original owner’s death, which only continued until the mill’s shutdown in the 20th century. It was then preserved as part of a state park, along with the original Watkins home (built prior to the mill in 1850), in 1964.

In addition to the mill’s original 65-horsepower steam engine (preserved from the mill’s heyday), the state park’s many attractions include the lake and campgrounds. The lake supports fishing for bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish and has a large, sandy beach to allow for swimming and kayaking. The park also provides partial hookups for campers in its many campgrounds.

Watkins Mill may not look like an exciting tourist destination to the untrained eye, but it has a lot to offer even to the most casual visitor. Don’t miss an opportunity to check out this exciting park! You can find the park at 26600 Park Road North, Lawson, MO 64062, just four miles from the Waller Truck Co., Inc. headquarters.

THE HALL OF WATERS

As the name suggests, Excelsior Springs was once a hub for travelers drawn to the natural mineral springs in the area. The town drew more and more settlers to the area over time due to the thought that the waters of the springs were medicinal. An entire enterprise sprung up (excuse the pun) around the business of marketing, bottling, and selling the water. Part of this industry involved the building of the Hall of Waters by the Federal Public Works Administration in 1937.

At the height of its popularity, the Hall of Waters was the most completely outfitted health resort in the state. Waters of the ten main springs In Excelsior Springs were piped into the longest mineral water bar in the world. This water bar remains open to this day and is a fascinating piece of living history. Five varieties of mineral water were once bottled at the Water Works and shipped all over the world.

While the Water Works building really is more for history and architecture buffs, it remains one of the hallmarks of Excelsior Springs and is a true piece of our home base’s history. You can visit this museum at 201 E Broadway Ave, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024, just over three miles from Waller Truck Co. Inc.

THE ELMS HOTEL

The Elms Hotel might have the most colorful history in Excelsior Springs. After the original building was built in 1889, the hotel suffered two dramatic fires that required subsequent rebuilding of the entire construct twice over. The current building has been in place since 1912 and has seen crime bosses (like Al Capone, who stayed in the hotel frequently) and US presidents (like Harry S. Truman) come and go over the years.

The hotel has top-of-the-line rooms, services, and spa treatments to its name, which include outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a saltwater hot tub, massages and wraps, and so much more. Their spa services especially may be just the ticket to work out muscle aches and pains after a long drive.

While the Elms Hotel is worth a visit purely for its historical significance, the appeal of its services make the trip makes it worth just that much more. If you’re just starting out at Waller, we include lodging at the Elms as part of your orientation package so that you can be as pampered as you deserve. You can find the hotel at 2694, 401 Regent St, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024, only a ten-minute drive from the Waller Truck headquarters.

WABASH BBQ AND BLUES GARDEN

While yes, this is another historic place, the Wabash BBQ and Blues Garden has the added perks of offering good food, beer and music. While eating ribs and smoked chicken and being serenaded by blues music, don’t forget to take a look around at was once Excelsior Springs’ original train depot station.

The award-winning restaurant has had some of the best barbecue in the Kansas City area for the past two decades. The Kansas City area is known for good barbecue, so to be the best of the best is Wabash’s priority. Be sure to visit on your way through for excellent food and the historic atmosphere that makes Excelsior Springs special!

Because your comfort is our priority, we will treat you to dinner at Wabash as part of your orientation when you become a new driver at Waller! You can find Wabash BBQ and Blues Garden at 646 S. Kansas City Ave., Excelsior Springs, MO 64024, just eight minutes from Waller Truck Co., Inc.

Excelsior Springs has all this to offer (and more!), all within a ten-minute drive of Waller Headquarters. If the historic hometown vibe is for you, apply to one of our open positions today!