(rshsdepot) Ashland, WI

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Depot open house set

Published Friday, July 12, 2002 1:24:28 PM Central Time - Ironwood Daily
Globe


ASHLAND, Wis. -- The doors to Ashland's Soo Line Depot will once again be
open Saturday, July 20, as visitors will be welcomed to view progress since
rebuilding efforts began 13 months ago.

The depot was gutted by fire on April 1, 2000. Two years later, a rebuilt
steeple with copper flashing once again tops the building that is being
refurbished with a community fund raising effort, a $499,000 National Park
Service grant and a $1 million Department of Transportation grant.

Depot tours will be offered from 1-4 p.m.

"This will be a day to celebrate our community and region's support of this
project," said Leslie Hamp, project coordinator. "That people pulled
together to save the Depot from the wrecking ball is big news around the
state."

Members of the 950 Club will be on hand to awaken the bell on the former Soo
Line locomotive. The group keeps the big engine in good cosmetic condition.

Mid-20th century railroading and the locomotive's use in Ashland, which
involved switching cars that dumped ore into bins at the huge oredock, will
be discussed.

The Depot Lawn Chair Brigade will complete a choreographed routine every 30
minutes.

Another highlight of the day will be carriage rides by Ken Respotnik and his
Norwegian Fjord horses. The carriage seats eight and will travel from Main
Street to the Depot and back from 1-4 p.m.

Both the tours and rides will be free.

Since launching its fund raising effort in May of 2001, the Depot
Restoration Committee has raised $575,000 in cash toward a $600,000 goal and
has exceeded a $100,000 in-kind contribution goal with donations of
$110,000.

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the Ashland Area Development
Corporation Depot Restoration Fund, 422 Third Street West, Ashland, Wis.,
54806.

  Bernie Wagenblast
  Transportation Communications Newsletter
  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/



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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #430
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org