Christmas At The Depot
Once upon a Christmas, there were bells, sleighs and large Christmas trees in the street!
All kinds of tales will be told at Christmas at the Depot at 10 a.m. on December 17 at the Dickinson County Museum. Many will gather to hear special memories of past celebrations, sing Christmas Carols and enjoy Christmas treats.
Frank Christenson loves Christmas and any opportunity he can share favorite Christmas memories. “I just love Christmas and love decorating for the holidays,” he said. “We have such a fun time singing and telling stories.” His favorite is sharing the story of the first Christmas in Dickinson County, as recalled by Myra Smith.
“The First Christmas Party”
It was 1858 and the year after the Spirit Lake Massacre. Snow was piled high around the pioneers’ cabins scattered throughout Dickinson County, and despite the cold, families found ways to gather and cherish their blessings.
“A few days before Christmas we received an elaborate invitation to dine and spend the evening at Forest Hall (a cabin where several bachelors were keeping house).”
A special coach was made from homemade bob sleds pulled by a breaking team of oxen, picking each family up in elaborate style. “Bells! Oh, Yes!” Myra said. The two oxen at each end of the sleigh made them jingle and created great cheer.
“When we arrived at Forest Hall Chas, Hall and Walter Brown were the reception committee to welcome the party. Our dinner consisted of roast wild goose, potatoes, hot biscuit and New Orleans molasses. The biscuits were made by Walter Brown. A most enjoyable evening was spent and one never to be forgotten,” wrote Myrna Smith.
This year’s Christmas at the Depot will be held in a new location, with the opening of the Depot exhibit in late October. The Exhibit Hall will be decorated for the holidays and the original pump organ from the Friend’s Church in Arnolds Park will be showcased. “We enjoy singing the traditional carols around the organ,” Frank said. “We have so much fun with our ‘Way Back When’ group every week. Anyone is welcome to join us.”
Special Christmas stories will be told, with a bit of folklore included. People won’t want to miss hearing about the huge Christmas tree in downtown Spirit Lake or how 500 children descended on the town for Christmas when merchants were only anticipating 100. Christmas at the Depot will be a special gathering for everyone.
“Steve’s Depot” Captivates Guests
The Dickinson County Museum revealed “Steve’s Depot” in late October, transforming the south end of the building into a space where visitors can explore, touch and learn more about the area’s railroad and other history.
The $250,000 project started four years ago under the direction of the museum’s board and former Dickinson County Museum Director Mary Dreier. The new exhibit is located in the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Depot, which was originally built in 1884.
“One of my favorite spots is opening the door and entering the portal to the past,” Mary said. “It’s like walking into the Wardrobe in the ‘Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.’ Your imagination wants to know what’s next!”
The Dickinson County Museum partnered with Edwards Creative, a premier museum design/build firm from the Quad Cities to create exciting and educational interactive exhibits in the 1884 depot. An old-fashioned phone can be picked to up to hear upcoming schedules, train tickets are printed for places around the United States and interactive displays captivate little hands.
“You get to relive history like it was in Spirit Lake back in the 1880s through 1920s,” Mary shared. “One of my favorite exhibits is a diary of Eva Ballou’s time in Spirit Lake. At 16 years of age, she was the first acting depot agent’s telegrapher at the Spirit Lake Depot.”
Guests can learn about train routes, different features of the railroad and railcars and how the railroad impacted Dickinson County and the surrounding area.
Come and visit “Steve’s Depot” and walk back into time. Hear the whistles and try the telegraph. The museum is open Tuesday 12 – 4 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and select Sundays. Check the musuem’s Facebook page, website: dickinsoncountymuseum.org, and local media for dates.
The board is thankful for the many generous friends, donors and volunteers.