Tiger Trolley Tours will open its services to visitors and Columbia natives on Wednesday, Aug. 22, with a ribbon ceremony at the Chamber of Commerce, followed by tours to those in attendance.
The tours, started by Missouri natives Jolene Schulz and Cindy Mustard, revolve around seeing various historical and culturally significant sites in Columbia, according to the Tiger Trolley Tour’s website.
Schulz and Mustard will act as guides for each of the four planned tours, which will take no more than 24 passengers to various sites.
“We have been here 120 years total between the two of us,” Mustard said. “Our main goal is to show Columbia in a unique, fun way.”
The “Welcome to Columbia” tour is focused on introducing new visitors to the city, bringing them to downtown Columbia, Columbia College and Stephens College, according to the website.
Tour participants can see public art, museums and the North Village Arts District on the “Cultural Arts” tour. The “College Town USA” tour is based around the three major colleges in Columbia: Columbia College, Stephens College and MU. The “Historical Tour of Columbia” visits homes and businesses of historical importance.
Schulz and Mustard also offer custom tours, such as a wine tour one customer requested.
The two came up with the idea after Schulz, who was working at the time for Premier (now First State Community) Bank, was asked to create a tour for other bank employees. Schulz asked Mustard to join her as guide on the initial tour.
“We received many accolades from those on the (initial tour’s) bus,” Schulz said.
With that praise in mind, they decided to explore the possibility of tours available to the public.
“We talked to university officials, we talked to government officials and we talked with tourism officials to find out if there’s a need for it,” Mustard said.
After receiving confirmation, the partners decided to go forward with the idea. However, they decided to conduct the tours on trolleys instead of buses.
“We think this motorized, modern version of an old time trolley will be a perfect way to transport visitors around our sprawling city to explore our very rich heritage,” Schulz and Mustard said in a press release.
