WILLMAR — Last hosted in 1997, the Kandiyohi County Historical Society hosted Willmar Rail Road Days on Saturday and Sunday, bringing in train enthusiasts of all ages from around the state.
The 2021 event highlighted Willmar’s rich railroad history. There was a railroad display made of Legos that took around five hours to build; a silent auction to raise funds for the historical society; along with a hobo camp cooking up food under the old oak tree outside of the Sperry House on the grounds of the historical society.
There was also a scale model of the Willmar rail line and a scale recreation of the Empire Builder.
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Events were also held at the Willmar Community Center and the Willmar Veterans of Foreign Wars.
1/Ralph Croonquist, who retired from the railroad after 33 years, explains to Patti Madden on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Willmar Railroad Days how daily logs tracked the comings and goings at the railyard. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
2/After making some fried egg sandwiches Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at the Willmar Railroad Days hobo camp, Diane Miner, from left, Greg Schlichting and Jacob Broberg with his puppy Ferris enjoy the cool breeze off of Foot Lake in the shade of an old oak tree. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
3/With a 42-year career in the railroad, Gary Nelson said Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Willmar Railroad Days that the hardest part was waiting two years before being hired. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
4/Keeping a panel of former railroad workers on track, Stephen Eckman, far left, asks Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Willmar Railroad Days what growing up in Willmar during its heyday was like. On the panel, from left, are Gary Nelson, Jack Kjos, Elroy Olson, David Block, Carl Erickson and Stuart Holmquist Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
5/Dressed the part, Cal Miner presents the history Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, of the Great Northern P-2 No. 2523 and the incredible process of moving it from the railyard to its resting place outside of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
6/After completing a historical presentation dressed as a conductor, Cal Miner changed back into his old-timey hobo clothes Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, before retiring to his cornhusk bed at the hobo camp at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society's Railroad Days event. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
7/Playing some bluegrass music Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, outside of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society are Brian Pearson, from left, Dave Eliason, Berge Johnson, Maggie Harp and Bob Whitney. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
8/Jared Gatti, left, and Kyle Sportel gather all the necessary materials and information Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, from Diane Miner, before taking their kids on a scavenger hunt during Willmar Railroad Days. The kids are Robby Gatti, 2, from front, Kennedy Sportel, 3, and Christian Sportel, 5. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
9/Kandiyohi County Historical Society volunteer Nancy Gustafson, right, shows Quinn Scharafanow, 4, the Sperry family’s original china Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
10/Ben Griffith, BNSF Willmar terminal manager, helps lead the historical bus tour Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, during Willmar Railroad Days. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
11/Attendees of the Willmar railroad history event conducted by the Kandiyohi County Historical Society watch a video presentation Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, of a historical walkthrough of the Willmar BNSF depot put together by William Sampson. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
