Austin Depot

(excerpt by Verna Barr)

In the early 1900's the town of Austin was the center of railroad operations for the Surface Creek Valley. The depot was originally located across the railroad tracks from the present Red Hat main building in Austin. Fruit growers used the railroad to ship out various fruits grown in the valley to states all across the west and middle east. By the late 1920's and 1930's, however, trucking became the preferred method of transportation and railroad operations tapered off to local operation.

The Austin depot was salvaged and moved to a location in south Delta in the 1960's where it remained until it was moved to Pioneer Town in September, 1994. It was donated by the owner of the property in Delta who had other use for the land. With Bailey Brothers providing the transportation and Ed Bernadou in charge of the *"Tuesday Morning Crew", the move went well and was set on a prepared foundation, with no unforeseen problems. A new roof was installed in 1998.

The building has been used for yard sales with proceeds benefitting various needs of the historical society. Inside space now displays two restored autos donated by Le Roy Chinn. The 1903 Hays was built in Springfield, Missouri. It was originally built as a buggy using materials on hand in the early 1900's. It has a 2 cylinder air-cooled motor in the back, sprocket buggy springs, bicycle type wheels and tires, and a carbide lantern for a headlight. It starts with a crank, steers with a stick, and has an operational speed of 15 mph. The 1917 Chevrolet Speedster was found in Olathe. Chinn obtained it from Jack Bliss. It wasn't easy to locate needed original parts for restoration. The roadster is operational on the highway though the motor is stiff, heats up. So Chinn didn't use it in parades.

A depot museum should display train memorabilia and this one does! A model train, a switchman's lantern, engineer's cap, a telegraph key, etc. are displayed here. A recording with the sounds of an oncoming train adds just the right feel while viewing the exhibit.

PIONEER TOWN HISTORY

Barber Shop

A sign on the shop wall proclaims, "Haircut 25 cents, Shave 15 cents". A barber was often called upon to pull teeth and provide a bit of doctoring when circumstances warranted.