amboy depot museum

Amboy, Il a city in north Central Illinois, population 2,500, 13 miles south of Dixon, President Ronald Reagan's boyhood home, is one of those cities whose population growth and history was affected by the history of the American railroad. Founded in 1854,this village was originally settled by Germans and Italian farmers in search for fertile land. The Illinois Central Railroad opened a depot and repair and maintenance division here. Businesses and trade flourished. . Carson, Pirie, Scott Company established their business here before moving to Chicago. This also was the site for a major meeting of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. An abandoned cemetery, vandalized, now completely neglected, is all that is left of the Mormon population here. Most moved to Navoo, IL. Iowa, then to Missouri and then to Salt Lake City, Utah. The museum is like many railroad museums, complete with all of the railroad memorabilia. President LIncoln had his hair cut in Amboy on his way to one of his debates with Stephan Douglas.. The barber donated some of the items used to cut his hair. There is also a magnificent rocks, gems and minerals collection that alone could be a point of interest for collectors.Amboy is known for its Depot Days celebration in August, The auto show and 50/50 draw attracts thousands every year,.Check the winnings for this year. Over $100,000.00 for the winner and the same amount for the "house," the Amboy Depot Day Committee.

The Amboy Depot Museum is a beautiful, brick, two-story, building in downtown Amboy, IL, about 90 miles west of Chicago. The museum's rooms are filled with items of local historical interest, including the original store of Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company; an early Morman settlement and the Division Headquarters for the Illinois Central Railroad. The rooms are theme oriented. For instance, the Ladies Waiting Room (Yes, it was separate from the Men's Waiting Room) is filled with Items of women's clothing and accessories There is a room dedicated to veterans, including a Christmas Tree filled with pictures of local veterans. There are many items from the Illinois Central Railroad, the CB&Q and an electric railroad There are thousands of items in the museum and the majority are labeled with pertinent information. A beautiful winding staircase goes up to the second floor. The museum is located in a park with a Steam Engine, Coal Car and Caboose alongside. There is also a Freight House in the park that has antique farm equipment, railroad equipment and a rock and fossil collection. A one-room school house is also n the park. It is fully furnished. The old Amboy City Jail also sits in the park. It is neat for taking family pictures. The trip to the Amboy Depot Museum is well worth it. There is no admission fee, just a free-will donation. They have a small gift shop with reasonable prices. There is also a picnic shelter in the parking lot, if you want to pack a lunch. The local city park is also worth driving through to see many wood carvings .