Scott City all aboard with history at museum

"I don't know a whole lot about the other history of this other stuff, but I can talk about trains. That's my specialty," said Ron Mason. He is one of a few in the Scott City community helping to maintain the Scott City Historical Museum. The train room is probably the most notable part of the museum, and Mason and others have placed their own stamp on it.

The room houses "a miniature version of Scott City, circa 1945, where at the height of wartime industry, the town's trains ran more than ever," as the Southeast Missourian recently reported. Since the summer, Mason has put his heart and soul into the construction of that model, which includes train replicas, following details to the letter. His passion is driven by the 39 years he spent as a conductor of the Cotton Belt line. There's history in that exhibit, and Mason is intent on capturing it. "It's my pride and joy," he said.

It means quite a bit to Gail Crader, as well. She understands the history contained in that museum because, as the overseer of the records room, she regularly holds that history in her hands. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect for Crader is that she, like Mason, is personally connected to the museum. She can recall stories that involve hobos, boxcar families and migrants her parents helped along their journeys -- not just things she read about in a book, but her own experiences that connect her to the museum.

Residents see the museum as an essential part of who they are as a community. It contains early 20th century artifacts of Scott City, memorabilia from the Cotton Belt and a room dedicated to veterans, who populate the area. The miniature railway opens on Dec. 12.

Scott City has a small-town flavor, which is modeled by the everyday people who feel a special tie to the history of their community and are committed to the upkeep of the museum that holds that history.

Both Mason and Crader acknowledge that their museum is no expert operation run by professionals. Rather, they are just people who have found a way to mesh passion, skill and time to create a museum that embodies Scott City's history, of which they are most proud.