[CBQ] Oakland Mills depot/shelter update

["Ken Vandevoort" <countrydepottrains@gmail.com>]

The October program at Henry County Heritage Trust in Mount Pleasant, Iowa this afternoon was about Oakland Mills which once had the other K-Line running through it (Keokuk to Mount Pleasant).  The railroad crossed the Skunk River on a covered bridge (the piers are still there).  The flagstop depot was left there when the railroad shut down in 1932.  It ended up in the woods and eventually became part of a building that was last used as a restaurant close to the Skunk River.  The restaurant closed and was going to be torn down.  Lynn Conrad heard about it and assembled a crew of volunteers to rescue and restore the building.  

Lynn brought everyone up to speed on the depot restoration.  They separated the depot from the building being torn down and brought it to Henry County Conservation Board property for temporary storage.  It is wrapped in plastic and is safe and secure.  Restoration halted because the lead carpenter had a sick mother who has now passed.  They know exactly what they are going to do with the building and plan to take no shortcuts.  A site has been secured close to the original right-of-way and a clay base has been put down.  Lynn was contacted by a lady whose husband had drug home some of the original rails from Oakland Mills and they will return in front of the depot.  The crew hopes to resume work soon.

Four depots still exist on this line: Keokuk, Donnellson, Hamill and Oakland Mills.  Track still exists in Keokuk.

The biggest surprise of the day was that Dave Lotz and his wife were at the program.  I enjoyed that as much as the program itself.

I will keep you updated with restoration progress.  When finished, it will be turned over to Henry County Conservation.

Ken Vandevoort

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