PAST will highlight Railroad Street in Anna during ColorFest event
(Note: the following story, and the accompanying picture, were provided by Barbara Bauer of PAST.)
The PAST ColorFest committee met recently to make plans for the third annual “Walk PAST” self-guided tour book.
Anna’s historical neighborhood which will be featured in 2012 is the block of buildings and businesses near the railroad depot site on present-day West Vienna Street.
The guide book will focus on sites from Main Street to Green Street along historical “Railroad Street” over the past 150 years.
Newcomer to Anna, Lee Hackney said, “Just, where was the depot?”
Several committee members remember well when the trains stopped in Anna, and the railroad and depot will be spotlighted in the tour book.
Linda Hileman explained the meaning of cross marks on old Sanborn fire maps.
“Stables,” she said, to the astonishment of listeners. There were so many. Of course everyone had horses in the early days. Stables in the 1860s and satellite dishes in 2012.
Everett Rhine and Barbara Bauer remembered the bird bath on the corner by E.P. Owens Drug Store. They told some good stories, some not so good. Wonder whatever happened to that landmark decoration. Various businesses on that site will be noted.
Elaine Crain recalled the morning a crash at the funeral home destroyed its two-story porch. The ensuing “facelift” produced the iconic white columns.
Bob Crain stepped off distance on the sidewalk to determine the locations of early businesses along the street. He revealed shadows of the old livery archway seen in vintage photos.
Lou Boswell has shared the history of Boswells and the restorations of Lou’s Room. Lou’s Room will be open to visitors on ColorFest Saturday, Oct. 13.
PAST plans to set up historical exhibits of the neighborhood there for ColorFest visitors.
The Rock Ridge Re-enactors plan to set up camp on the “lawn” by the railroad and the military memorial near the 4-way stop. Judy Rhine spoke of plans to display some medical and other equipment that so interested folks at last February’s Civil War Weekend.
PAST hopes that the focus on history and the visit to this neighborhood will recall some interesting and valuable memories of Anna’s past, from Civil War times 150 years ago to the present.
Readers are invited to contact PAST with any memories regarding the old “East Railroad Street,” which is present day West Vienna Street. Call 833-3228 or 833-6525 to share information.