Historical society has 2009 Pipestone trains calendar

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PIPESTONE — Looking for the perfect holiday gift for a train buff? The Pipestone County Historical Society recently released the 2009 Heritage Calendar with the theme “Trains in Pipestone County,” which would make a great gift or stocking stuffer.

The calendar features memorable photographs and important dates related to Pipestone County’s railroad history. The photos that go with each month include trains, depots and other railroad related subjects in Pipestone County up through the 1950s.

“It seems to be one of those subjects people are interested in,” said Susan Hoskins, director of the Pipestone County Museum. “Where ever you go, there is a kind of nostalgia about trains.”

A yearly calendar has long been an annual fundraiser for the museum, starting with photo collections and gradually developing themes. In the past few years, the calendars have featured local churches, local barns and local sports teams.

“They have gotten a pretty good response,” Hoskins stated. “The barn one was just huge.”

The train calendar is not just photos, she added. It includes interesting train facts, tidbits and stories, plus some graphics and explanations about the different lantern signals used to communicate along the rails. The cover shows the William Crooks Steam Locomotive with Pipestone’s historic water tower, built in 1920, in the background. The photo was taken Sept. 12, 1924, when the engine passed through Pipestone. In 1924, the engine, baggage car and coach were the oldest equipment in service on the Great Northern Railway. The station agent in Pipestone, J.K. Hartung, had made arrangements for the historic train to stop in the city for locals to look over for an hour.

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