2007 RESTORATION
Progress as told by Bob Rees
New Faces On Board Of Directors
The year 2007 found some new members on the Board of Directors, replacing other members who retired from service on the Board. The new board members included Rosemary Underwood, serving as functionary and assuming the responsibilities of most depot functions, and Roger Cain, bringing a wealth of restoration expertise to the Oregon Depot, and having supplied all of the wood trim for the Depot through his company, Cain Millwork in Rochelle, Illinois.
Following the acceptance of resignations from Dean Dye, Roger Etnyre, Mervel Wood, and Phillip Miller, current board members include: Jim Lauer – President, Rich Rhoads – Vice President/Treasurer, Bob Rees – Secretary, Eric Marrow – Attorney, Rosemary Underwood – Functionary and Roger Cain – Project Manager.
Heightened Efforts in Restoration
The City hired Chriss Painting and Sandblasting to prepare and paint our four gables. With their equipment, they were able to complete the project with little concern about the heights involved. The gables are now painted with the original CB&Q colors as used in 1914, according to the research provided by the Burlington Route Historical Society.
Efforts Closer to the Ground Continue
Brian Hermes Masonry returned to the depot and repaired interior walls, ceramic tile and our exterior stonework. The exterior sills have now been repaired while the base stonework will be completed at a later date.
After being supplied the lumber by Cain Millwork, the faithful alumni group proceeded to prepare and install the wood required to replace the Depot’s old soffit. With that, the north side of the Depot was completed; replacement of the damaged portion of the south side is expected during the 2008 season.
Developing Fundraising Ideas
One of the Depot’s primary needs remains a system for heating and air conditioning. In an attempt to address that need, Skip Johnson, the originator of the Alumni Group, initiated a fundraising effort with a plan for a Memorial Room in the Depot dedicated to those with personal memories of the passenger station. The Room will provide special recognition to the military personnel who embarked for the service through the Oregon CB&Q Depot, and for a donation of $100, contributors will have their name and memories documented there. The success of this effort is evidenced by the fact that already more than 30 contributors have made donations to the fund.
As part of the eventual project to revitalize the brick platform area, a buy-a-brick program will be initiated to replace some of the bricks that are currently missing.
Recognition from the Burlington Route Historical Society
In Kansas City, on behalf of all the contributors to the Oregon Depot Restoration Project, board member Bob Rees accepted the Fuka/Miekiszak Memorial Award from the Burlington Route Historical Society, given in recognition of their efforts to preserve the Oregon Depot.
Relating to the Public
In addition to the Open House events held during the annual Autumn on Parade Festival and the Candle Walk in November, a presentation for the Polo Historical Society was prepared and delivered. And in the tradition of past holiday seasons, the Depot was once again gifted with a beautiful Christmas tree for the lobby from the generous folks at Sinnissippi Tree Farms.
