(rshsdepot) Weiser, Idaho

["James Dent" <james.dent_@_itochu.com>]

-From the Idaho Statesman...

Weiser celebration to honor Union Pacific
Town wants to thank company for depot it donated in 1987

By Kendra Martinez

WEISER -- Once the oversight was discovered, it had to be corrected.

Author Rob Lucas, while researching the railroad in Weiser, found Union
Pacific Railroad had never been publicly recognized for a gift it bestowed
on the city nearly 15 years ago.

In 1906, the Oregon Short Line built the railroad depot on State Street's
south side. In 1987, after requests from residents and the Weiser
Architectural Preservation Committee, Union Pacific donated the depot to the
city.

A five-hour celebration will be held Saturday to publicly thank Union
Pacific Railroad for donating the railroad depot that, for 95 years, has
been a staple in -- and the heart of -- the community.

During the celebration, the city will present a letter of appreciation to
Charles G. Clark, a Union Pacific representative. Weiser Mayor Don Stephens,
Boise Mayor Brent Coles, Idaho State Historical Society director emeritus
Arthur Hart and Jim Hopper of the Idaho Historical Preservation Committee
are a few of the dignitaries expected to attend.

"We sent out 75 invitations to current railroad employees in the state and
to retired employees who worked this line, said Eulene Long, a celebration
committee member. "My list grew from seven to 75 once the word started to
spread."

A three-block area near the depot will be blocked off to accommodate the
thousands of people expected to descend on the small Washington County city.

Musical, dance and theater groups will perform throughout the day. Face
painting and balloon booths should keep the little ones busy. Food and
beverage vendors and merchants will have products available for sale.

At the depot, a new roof with copper accents and gutters has recently been
added to the structure, and the city has just completed downtown
revitalization projects.

Weiser now has newly paved streets and sidewalks, and brick crosswalks.
Old-time street lights have been added in the city's core. Construction on
new parks at the downtown entrance is expected to be completed by this
weekend.

"We've got a wonderful downtown area and depot," said committee member Lisa
McKnight. "Even with all of the construction going on, we didn't know it was
going to turn out so beautiful."

Committee members charged with organizing the celebration say they have been
encouraged by public interest and participation. They aren't ruling out
having an annual event to honor the railroad.

"Depots are a thing of the past," Long said. "They are something we have
lost -- and I think missed by many people."

The Idaho Statesman Schedule of events at Weiser celebration
The city of Weiser will hold a Union Pacific Railroad Depot Restoration
Celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in downtown. All events will be
near the depot on State Street.

Here are some highlights:

Opening ceremony

10 to 11:30 a.m.

• American Legion will raise The United States Flag and Weiser High School
band will play the National Anthem.

• Speakers from Union Pacific Railroad, Sen. Mike Crapo's office, Weiser
Architectural Preservation Committee, Idaho State Historical Society and
Idaho Historical Preservation Council.

• Weiser Mayor Don Stephens, Boise Mayor Brent Coles will address the crowd.

• Weiser River Young Fiddlers perform a railroad medley.

Performances

The Hispanic Dancers, Jazzettes, Golden Boot Scooters Line Dancers,
Cloggers, District 3 Fiddlers and Weiser River Young Fiddlers will perform
throughout the day.

Food and beverages

Booths will sell cotton candy, popcorn, peanuts, potato bar, hot dogs,
chorizos, tacos, german sausage, carmel apples, Greek food, hamburgers,
steak sandwiches, baked food sale, ice cream, snow cones, lemonade, iced
tea, sodas and bottled water.

Activities

Tours of the Pythian Castle, horse and buggy rides for Union Pacific
representatives, face painting, balloons, depot opening and tours, book
selling and signing of "P&IN, History of the Pacific & Idaho Northern
Railway," written by Dale Fisk and Don Dopf.

For more information, call Eulene Long at 549-2558, Lisa McKnight at
549-0524 or Ellie Ibarra at 549-1013.

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