Back in Time–Railroad Station

I grew up about a half block from this gorgeous old station on the Chicago-Alton line, and spent a lot of time there as a kid.  The station agent even taught me Morse Code (and of course I can only remember S.O.S., now!)–he lived next door to me when he retired.

I was delighted after I put this post up in Urban Sketchers Midwest to learn that the station hadn’t been torn down after all, it had been moved to a new location near the National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence!  So of course another pilgrimage to my roots was in order…we drove over the other day and sat in the autumn sun while I drew, then took the tour of the restored building.

That’s a Morse Code key at upper right!

More photos and another sketch here.

I skipped the Holiday decor…when I was a kid the luggage cart wasn’t tarted up with greenery and big red bows, and there were no huge wreaths on the building, so they don’t appear here, either.  A bit of artistic license!

I still love the sound of a train…