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Train Order Board
Upcoming events and happenings at the Depot and Linden-Madison Township Historical Society.
Many new photos added. Centennial Picture Page
Centennial Celebration A Success
By HILLARY VAN DYKE • For the Journal & Courier • July 27, 2008
LINDEN -- The laying of commemorative bricks for the new patio was a highlight of the recent centennial celebration of the Linden Railroad Depot.
"For the amount of activity going on in the area, I was quite pleased," said Linden Historical Society president Chris Benner about the centennial's turnout.
"The highlight was when the state legislators came and put down their bricks on our new brick patio. The centerpiece of the brickyard is the diamond.
"It's the old Monon and Nickel Plate crossing, but it's one piece that looks like a cross," said Allen Hepler.
"We were presented an American flag that was flown on the Statehouse" by the state legislators, Hepler said.
State Rep. Sheila Klinker and State Sens. Ron Alting and Phil Boots, gave speeches.
"Dick Fech was there. He's roadmaster for CSX. He formally presented the diamond to the depot," said society vice president Gary Vierk.
The centennial celebration's guests also visited the new Linden Depot Museum store, where gift items, such as railroad books and scale trains, are sold.
"We've got centennial mugs that are only going to be sold this year," said Hepler about the collectors' items.
Vierk said, "The museum store will be our main source of income."
The festival did bring in some income for the Linden Historical Society.
"We made $1,000, which is good for our small organization. There were also donations," said Hepler.
The Linden Historical Society is selling engraved bricks that will be a part of the brick patio surrounding the old crossing.
"We sell the bricks for $30 apiece for people who want to put their names and friends' names on them," said Hepler.
The majority of the money the Linden Historical Society makes is from donations and membership, Hepler said.
That's why society officials hope the festival generated interest in the depot. "Hopefully, more people will come and visit it," said Vierk.
Benner said, "I thank the senators for coming, and I would like people to know what they saw is a lot of work from a few volunteers.
"We're always looking for people to volunteer to continue to preserve what's there. We love to show our depot off, and we encourage everyone to stop by and see what we're doing."
Article From The Paper, Montgomery County Online, July 23, 2008
| RR depot marks Centennial LINDEN - A couple of months ago, caretakers of the Linden Railroad Museum were struggling to keep it afloat. "We hit rock bottom," said Gary Vierk of the Linden-Madison Township Historical Society. Vierk said he and Society President Chris Benner each put in $100 to keep it going. "It costs $1,400 a year for insurance plus we have to pay utilities all winter when the museum is closed," Vierk said. When the museum and gift shop re-opened in May, things started to improve - and Saturday was a turning point as the historical society held an open house to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the depot's existence. "Today has really turned things around," Vierk said, noting that visitors to the open house had donated over $1,000 to the cause. There were a number of activities to honor the historic occasion of the centennial, including presentations by three special guests: State Senators Phil Boots and Ron Alting and State Representative Sheila Klinker. Each of them commented on the importance of the depot and the occasion. "It's important from a historical standpoint -to understand where we came from and who we are, it's important to preserve this history," Boots said. "When hardworking citizens volunteer their time and effort to preserve and share this history, I think it's our responsibility as elected officials to support that," Alting said. Klinker said she loves mass transportation and the rich history the depot represents. "The historical significance of this place is great. It's especially important for our young people, to be able to see that it's still alive and well here," she said. The three officials also took part in a special brick-laying ceremony: each placed a brick with his or her name on it into a brick plaza that surrounds an original diamond crossing once operational at the site. As a fundraiser, the historical society had been selling etched bricks, many displaying the names of people who once worked for the railroad. All three state officials volunteered that they would pay for their bricks too. "This diamond crossing is the heart and soul of this depot; it's what makes this a junction depot," Vierk said. The Linden Junction Depot once served both the Monon and Nickel Plate railroad lines as they crossed through Linden. The depot was built in 1907 but 1908 was its first full year of operation, Benner said. Other activities Saturday included a raffle of hats, T-shirts, limited collectible coffee mugs and a grand prize of $100 cash. A model railroad car, made by Historical Society member Al Hepler, was also auctioned off. For a free will donation, visitors were also treated to a lunch of hot dogs, chips and baked beans as they toured the depot and chatted about railroad history. Benner said he was pleased overall with how the day went. "If we'd chosen our date more wisely, we might have had a larger crowd," he said, noting that other activities, such as the Montgomery County Fair and a car show at Lake Waveland, were also in progress Saturday. "But we've had an enthusiastic group and I was really pleased with our state officials' participation. This is a special year for us and this has been a good day." |
New Pictures Posted. Centennial Picture Page
Engraved Brick Project
The Linden-Madison Township Historical Society will continue selling engraved bricks, that will be added to their Monon & Nickel Plate Crossing Plaza. Display your brick, with your name, a family member's name, a memorial to a loved one or friend, or as a gift to a "special person" for their name to be displayed.
Our museum has acquired and is displaying the original Monon and Nickel Plate crossing diamond. It is located in the depot yard and is surrounded with paving bricks. Additional details and printable order form.
Centennial Box Car Kit
The Linden-Madison Township Historical Society will continue selling an HO scale 40' Box Car to commemorate the Centennial Celebration of the Linden Depot. The car are completely assembled and ready to run. They are complete with metal wheels and knuckle couplers. These cars can be ordered directly from the Linden-Madison Township Historical Society and retail for $20.00 per car and $4.00 Shipping and Handling. "We will sell them until they are sold out."
To view larger image click on thumbnail above
Printable Order Form (html format)
Order your cars today and help support the Linden-Madison Township Historical Society
Museum Hours
Open May through September
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Closed Mothers and Fathers Day.
Adults |
$2.00 |
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Childen 13-18 |
$1.00 |
Children 6-13 |
$0.50 |
Children Under 6 |
Free |
The Society waives its admission fees for school groups, daycare groups, scouting groups if they pre-schedule their visits in advance.
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@2008 Linden Depot Museum, Linden-Madison Township Historical Society. All rights reserved.