Events planned to mark 100 years of Sikeston Depot

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Train derby races, special speakers and exhibits are among the public events scheduled this month to mark the 100th anniversary of the Sikeston Depot.

"They all revolve around train-based activities for many of the 100 years it's been here," said Marla Moore, director of the Sikeston Depot Museum. "We wanted to do something to mark the milestone, so we ended up deciding on smaller activities throughout the month of June."

In 1916, the Iron Mountain Railroad Co. began construction of the building that now houses the Sikeston Depot Museum at 116 W. Malone Ave. Soon after the depot was built, the line was acquired by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Co. It remained a Missouri Pacific station until the company merged with Union Pacific in 1982.

The Sikeston Depot was closed Oct. 15, 1985. In 1997, concerned citizens met to discuss revitalization of the depot and formed the Sikeston Cultural Development Corp.

In March 2000, the Sikeston Historical and Cultural Center (Sikeston Depot Museum) opened to the public. In December 2000, the Depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Among the first celebratory events is the Downtown Sikeston Gallery Walk set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Artist Billyo O'Donnell's artwork will be featured during Gallery Walk.

A display called "The Depot: Celebrating 100 Years of History" was created by Depot Museum board members, volunteers and staff members.

"It tells when the depot was built and various things that have come and gone through the years," Moore said.

There also are pictures of the remodel and what the building looked like before it became a museum, she said.

"If people want to come in and look at the history of the building, they are certainly welcome. Many people do have memories of it," Moore said.

Members of the Missouri Southeastern Model Railroad Club of Cape Girardeau will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to answer questions about the hobby of model railroading and help others begin their own model railroad.

Engineer and conductor Jim Greathouse will speak about the history of the Iron Mountain Railroad during a presentation from 10 a.m. to noon June 18.

Then from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 25, the museum will have a Train Derby Race Day.

"As part of our monthlong centennial celebration, bring your junior conductors to the depot to decorate and race their very own model train," Moore said.

Train races will be at noon and 2 p.m.

"It's more for kids, and they can decorate their train, and we have a little track," Moore said.

For a $5 fee per race, each participant gets one model train, conductor badge and entrance into one race of their choice. A $15 bundle entry fee gets participants the "full conductor experience," Moore said. They get one model train, conductor badge, engineer hat, train whistle and entrance into both races.

"The goal with these activities and exhibits is to bring the emphasis back to the fact the depot has been here for 100 years," Moore said.

For more information, call (573) 481-9967.

Pertinent address:

116 W. Malone Ave., Sikeston, Mo.