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Those attending the picnic, which was moved inside the Village Visitors Center due to the rain, were treated to a selection of original bluegrass music by Castle Ridge band and a talk on Washington County railroad history.
Weller, considered an authority on railroad history and retired Washington High School history teacher, told of the start of railroad service, freight and passenger, in Washington county and Kalona.
Weller said rail service was brought to Riverside in 1875, but it took another four years to bring rail service to Kalona in l879. At its height, there were two westbound trains and two eastbound passenger trains that stopped in Kalona. Later passenger cars were added to the end of freight trains.
Passenger service ended in Kalona about 1969.
Weller said the advent of the car and trucks resulted in decreased use of railroads. And the interstate highway system was another reason for decline of the rural railroad system. He noted the maintenance on the railroads declined to where only the rails showed out of the mud and weeds. Ed Yoder and F. Stubbs purchased the line through Kalona in l972, but they ceased operations in l976.
Weller commended those who were behind the moving of the Kalona Depot to the historical village grounds in 1979.
Weller said the Kalona Depot was typical of depots built along the BCRN rail line. It featured upstairs living quarters for the depot agent. Weller and those in attendance toured the depot including the upstairs living area. He added that the sign in the depot for the BCRN, Iowa Line was very unique, especially if it is original.
Marilyn Woodin told of the history of raising funds to move the depot to its present location and the involvement of The Kalona News in helping make that possible. She also told of the special quilt show that the Kalona Historical Society Quit Museums have been asked to participate in Des Moines. See story on page 11.
Kalona Historical Society Executive Director, Steve Reif also shared background on his family history and how his grand father had arrived in Kalona by rail.
