The Train Depot Committee has been working on the Train Depot Project throughout the winter with progress being made. M&D Electric brought electricity into the depot so that work could continue. Mustang Plumbing and Heating installed the plumbing so the bathrooms are getting ready for completion. Windows and bathroom doors were installed and work continues to build the walls inside the depot. As you drive by, you may not see much of the work that has been completed – but the project continues to move forward inside. Funding from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation, Keep Iowa Beautiful, Paint Iowa Beautiful, and donations have made this work possible. These wonderful donations are making the depot come to life. The Committee is working to raise $13,000 to complete this phase of the project by having a Hog Roast Dinner on Sunday, April 28, 2013 from 10:00-1:00 at the George Community Room. Please consider supporting this project through your participation. Remember, all donations are tax deductible and can be made to “City of George-Train Depot Project.

 

Progress continues to be made on the Train Depot Project.  The stub walls have been constructed, electricity has been brought to the depot and rough plumbing has been installed.  Siding on the east side of the depot is being removed to make way for bathroom doors to be installed.  Once the electricity has been placed, the walls will be completed on the inside.

All of this is due to the donation of dollars and "in-kind" work.  We are grateful for the $18,000 received from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation this week.  Another $17,000 has been allocated for this project through their generous support.  The community of family and friends has raised over $11,000 to date.  We anticipate the need for an additional $10,000 to be raised by the committee to complete the project.  In-Kind donations - such as trenching of footings by Donaker Excavating, trenching for electrical lines by Joel Rosenboom, clay and hauling donated by Mark, Darwyn, and Justin Dickmann, and clay and hauling by the City of George has enabled this project to move forward.  If you wish to contribute financially or labor, please don't hesitate to contact a committee member or the City of George.  We are grateful for the interest and support the community continues to provide.  Once again this community is working together for the good of everyone.  Thank you for your continued support.

It's not the train going through town - but the Train Depot!  Berghorst & Sons, Inc tackled the job of moving the train depot on one of the windest days this year.  But that didn't stop them of relocating the depot.  Thanks to the donations that have been given to this project along with grants from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation and Keep Iowa Beautiful - this project continues to move forward.  We will continue to keep you posted of the progress that is being made as we strive to keep George, IA a town working for the betterment for those calling this "Home".

Helen and Larry Petersen accepted a $17,000 grant award from the Lyon County Riveboat Foundation to be used towards the Train Depot Project.  A spring grant of $18,000 from the Casino, the Keep Iowa Beautiful Grant of $5,000 along with this grant and the dollors that many of you have donated will help to cover the cost of this project estimated to be around $66,000.  The volunteer hours that have already been given help to keep costs down.  This project could not be completed without financial support and labor support.  The Train Depot Committee wishes to thank everyone for the interest in this project.  If you wish to donate to the project, you may stop at the city office and they will assist you.  Remember - all donations are tax deductible.

In January of this year the United Farmer's Coop Lumberyard announced the sale of the old train depot and that if not sold, it was to be torn down.  Since that announcement, the saving of the only link to the past history of the train era and its importance in the development of our community, has quickly come to be a project that can involve many volunteers.

The UFC generously donated the building for its preservation.  They have played an important role in this project  through the preservation of this building up to now and have shown the vision to allow it to become a main attraction to our community.  We appreciate the opportunity to move this project to the next level.

A committee with representation from five of our leading community organizations has begun the process to preserve this building.  Plans are to move 50' of the depot to the Locker Park pond area to be used as a shelter area.  In trying to keep as much of the original appearance as possible and yet meeting all the requirements necessary.  A shelter house will provide a safe inviting area for those enjoying the pond area and the recreational trail.  The east room will be made into a public restroom.  The middle room will have countertops added and electrical outlets for picnic items.  The west room will house picnic tables.  Access to the shelter area will be through the original sliding doors.

How many of our unique structures in George were disposed of over the past 100 years?  The opera house, the original school building, the old bank building just to name a few.  Lets all get behind this effort to preserve a piece of history for the next generations!

Grants are being written and donations for the "Train Depot Project" may be directed to the George Community Foundation - Train Project.  We are grateful that we can all work together to preserve the past.  Watch for more updates and announcements to come!