The
1881 Wabash depot from Symerton, Illinois
(on the line from Chicago to Decatur) was moved board-by-board by the
Will
County Historical Society to a site
in downtown Lockport to be part of their frontier village. The
classic wood structure represents a typical 19th-century small town railroad depot.
The Symerton depot contains many original items from this era, including telegraph
hardware, office equipment and original Wabash Railroad paperwork. |  |
The
Blackhawk Chapter has given generous financial support for repairs to this
depot and it has been the site of
Bill Molony's continuing performance as a 19th-century station agent. The
Blackhawk Chapter also continues to pursue funds to fully restore the station's
interior. 
| In
2009, the Will County Historical Society's frontier village was evicted from their
site in downtown Lockport and the station and rest of the village was placed in
storage on the north side of town. A
new site was selected between 2nd and 3rd Streets in Lockport, located between
the I&M Canal and the former Chicago & Alton tracks. On September
17, 2011, the Will County Historical Society Heritage Festival is took place
in Lockport to raise awareness and money for the placement and restoration of
the settlement buildings. |
Blackhawk
Chapter president Bill Molony, and chapter members Ed Merzlock and
Dick Wheeler created a diorama showing the proposed layout of the new site
for the station and the rest of the pioneer village. 
Additional
photos of the diorama of the proposed location can be found on our Facebook
page 
 In
the Spring of 2012, the Symerton depot and the rest of the village will be moved
into their new location. The Blackhawk Chapter is working on getting the track
laid and having an authentic wood platform built. For more information about the
entire village project and how you can help, contact the Will
County Historical Society.
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