An artist is painting a mural inside the Galena Mining and History Museum in Galena, Kansas, and anticipates finishing it in about 10 days. According to KSNF-TV and museum director Linda Phipps, Sandra Pemberton's mural will depict Galena's railroad, mining and Route 66 history. Here's what Phipps said inspired the mural: “I was visiting my … Continue reading New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum
Category: Railroad
Ideas emerge for the redevelopment of Joplin’s Union Depot
Community members recently brought up some ideas for the possible redevelopment of Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, including bringing back train rides. The Downtown Joplin Alliance asked about 80 residents to provide possible uses for the century-old building, reported the Joplin Globe. A group of students and faculty from Kansas State University and architectural students … Continue reading Ideas emerge for the redevelopment of Joplin’s Union Depot
Local columnist: ‘Time is running out’ for Joplin Union Depot
Wally Kennedy, a longtime reporter for the Joplin Globe newspaper, said it's "now or never" to do something to preserve the long-closed Joplin Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri. Kennedy wrote on Friday: "There is a new effort under way to save it. This is the way I see it: Time is running out for the … Continue reading Local columnist: ‘Time is running out’ for Joplin Union Depot
Federal appeals court hears Carthage’s lawsuit involving Whee Bridge
A federal court in St. Louis heard the City of Carthage's appeal of a lawsuit ruling involving Union Pacific Railroad for its alleged lack of maintenance of bridges in the city, including the century-old Route 66 Oak Street Bridge, aka the Whee Bridge. According to the Joplin Globe, the city appealed a lower judge's ruling … Continue reading Federal appeals court hears Carthage’s lawsuit involving Whee Bridge
Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot
It's a business, but the McLean Depot Train Shop, housed in the former rail depot in McLean, Illinois, also serves as a passion for model train enthusiasts. The Pantagraph newspaper in nearby Bloomington recently published a feature about the train shop and the people who keep it going. Tom Ludlam owns the shop along Route … Continue reading Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot
Structural engineer says Joplin Union Depot’s condition is good
A structural engineer who recently assessed the Joplin Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, reported that the bones of the long-abandoned building are good. According to the Joplin Globe, Lori Haun, director of the Joplin Downtown Alliance, told the city council the engineer who specializes in restoring historic properties “felt very confident it could be rehabilitated.” … Continue reading Structural engineer says Joplin Union Depot’s condition is good
Joplin group awarded a grant to have an engineer assess Union Depot
The Downtown Joplin Alliance recently announced it given was $5,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to pay for an engineer to assess the long-abandoned Union Depot building. According to the Joplin Globe: That engineer’s report will enable the alliance to formulate more targeted marketing aimed at preserving and developing the 110-year-old train station.The … Continue reading Joplin group awarded a grant to have an engineer assess Union Depot
Kiddieland, a tradition in Carthage for 70 years, reopens for the summer
What's cool about Route 66 is you never stop learning something about it. That includes Kiddieland in Carthage, Missouri, which has been run by the local Kiwanis Club for more than 70 years. Kiddieland at 2000 Oak St. (aka Route 66) opened for the season during Memorial Day weekend. It opens each Saturday, and Sunday … Continue reading Kiddieland, a tradition in Carthage for 70 years, reopens for the summer
City of Joplin hires firm to help find a developer for Joplin Union Depot
The City of Joplin, Missouri, has tapped a commercial real-estate firm to help market the century-old Joplin Union Depot with the hope someone can redevelop and renovate it. The city announced the effort Wednesday. The real-estate company, Glenn Group, will work with the Downtown Joplin Alliance through its Endangered Properties Program and the Missouri Department … Continue reading City of Joplin hires firm to help find a developer for Joplin Union Depot
Book review: ‘Tucumcari Tonite!’
There's a moment early in David Stratton's new book, "Tucumcari Tonight" (Amazon link), that signals this isn't going to be a dull history tome. In the introduction, the author, who was 95 years old when the University of New Mexico Press published the book earlier this month, recalls his personal memories of the first owners … Continue reading Book review: ‘Tucumcari Tonite!’