Soo Line Steam Engine Authority raising money for museum

GLADSTONE, Mich. (WLUC) - You can learn about a treasured piece of Gladstone’s history this month by visiting a local bank.

A model train and artifacts from the Soo Line Railroad are on display at Gladstone’s Upper Peninsula State Bank.

Panels showcase the railroad’s history from when the Soo Line arrived in Gladstone in 1887.

Soo Line Steam Engine #730 Authority organized the exhibit. President John Pickard says, without the railroad, Gladstone wouldn’t be here today.

The nonprofit wants to find a permanent home for the exhibit.

“We want to have a museum in Gladstone, a historic museum, welcome center,” Pickard said. “We’d like to raise at least $500,000. I’m thinking if we can get 50 donors at $1,000 apiece, that would be a good way to start.”

The exhibit will be on display through the end of this month. Pickard says it’s an opportunity to show your children the path industry took in Gladstone because of the railroad.

“It’s important to remember our history,” Pickard said. “We don’t seem like we teach it in school anymore. We used to have a Michigan week when I was growing up. We knew who Lansing was, who Stephenson was, who Ludington was. These were all important people and the young people today don’t seem to know who those folks are.”

The Authority also preserves the shiny black steam engine next to US-2/US-41 in Gladstone.

The nonprofit has a fund set up to accept donations at the Community Foundation for Delta County. To make a donation, call 906-786-6654.