On Wednesday, August 11, the Garretson Area Historical Society accepted a grant for $2,840 from Alliance Communication's "Keep the Change" program.
The grant monies will be put towards the new "railroad" room in the museum, which will feature a model railroad set in 1960's Garretson and include Palisades State Park.
The project was initially proposed and driven by Sharon Kringen, in memory of her husband Grant, who passed this spring.
"Sharon and Grant have always been terrific boosters of Garretson, and recognize the important role that the railroad has had in the history of Garretson," said Jim Kurtz, GAHS treasurer. "In fact, if the railroad had not come through when and where it did, the town of Garretson would not exist."
Garretson the town is named after railroad investor A.S. Garretson of Sioux City, who helped bring the town of Palisades two miles north.
The model railroad is being built by Richard Holzapfel, a former railroad industry employee and current volunteer with the Sioux Valley Model Engineers Society. He has been instrumental in providing the model railroad displays found at First Bank & Trust at Christmas and in the school commons during Jesse James Days.
The 1960's-era model set will be complete with stores, houses, parks, natural scenes, and of course, a working railroad.
The southwest room of the museum has been dedicated toward the set up.
