 Work has begun on the cover for the caboose, refrigerator car and the connecting deck on the south end of the museum complex. (August 18, 2005) |
 Museum Curator J. K. Gurner and Sign Painter James Jenkins. |
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James Henderson Jenkins, a lettering artist from the Pontotoc/Tupelo area, donated his
time and talent to recreate the Water Valley Depot sign which was a familiar sight to
travelers from the late 1800’s through the first half of the twentieth century.
Jenkins says he painted the sign and presented it to the Museum to honor his Yalobusha County ancestors who were among the first settlers in the area and were the founders of Hendersonville. Museum Curator J. K. Gurner came up with the idea for the sign while looking through some old depot photographs. He found one which showed the office force standing under the sign and was able to determine that the approximate size was two by twelve feet. The original was hung so that passengers could see that they were 323 miles north of New Orleans and 589 miles south of Chicago. Before 1900, Water Valley was on the main line between the two important cities. The new sign, which was done for the cost of the materials, now hangs in the east entrance to the Museum.
 New sign hangs over Museum's west entranceway. |
 Travis V. Howard, six-year-old son of Dawn Vincent, recently delivered a biographical speech on Casey Jones to his first grade class at Escuela Elementary Center in southern California. Travis used the Johnny Cash rendition of the song as part of his presentation. His Mom put together the display using photographs from the Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum website. "It turned out great," Ms. Vincent said. (Photo by Dawn Vincent, March 2003) |
 Kicking off the Water Valley Depot Project are (left to right) J. K. Gurner, curator of the Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum; Rayford Edgar, Curtis Berry, Ernie Aune, members of the Depot Committee of the Water Valley Lions Club; Clyde Herron, Lions Club President; Danny Carl, Superintendent, Tommy Williams, Estimator, for J. O. Hooker and Sons, Inc.; Virginia Harrington, Architect with Howorth and Associates; and Michelle Lombardo, Construction Administrator for the Bureau of Building. (Photo by Jack Gurner, February 2002) |
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Work began Monday, February 18, 2002, on the Water Valley Depot Project which will add approximately 1200
square feet to the existing structure. The $120,000 addition will provide a community
meeting and audio-visual center for the Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum and
also add much needed improvements such as handicap access and a new entry.
Construction could be completed as early as mid-June, according to Tommy Williams of J.O. Hooker and Sons of Thaxton, the general contractors. Funding for the project includes a $100,000 grant from the State which was obtained in 1999 with the help of District 33 Representative Tommy Reynolds. Mississippi House of Representative District 33 includes portions of Lafayette, Tallahatchie and Yalobusha Counties. "This will be a major asset to our area and should become quite a tourist attraction," Rep. Reynolds said. Because of the museum’s importance to Water Valley and Yalobusha County, some funds are expected from the city and county governments. However, the majority of the remaining $20,000 has to be raised in the community with the major portion being donated by area residents and businesses. Restoration of the old Illinois Central depot began in 1985 when the Water Valley Lions Club members and city officials reached an agreement giving the Lions Club a ten year lease on the building. The depot had begun to deteriorate after it was abandoned by the Illinois Central Railroad in March of 1982 when rail service was discontinued. It was further damaged during the 1984 tornado and the city had originally planned to remove it. In 1997, the Yalobusha Economic Development Foundation purchased the Bruce Gurner Collection of Railroad Memorabilia which is being housed in the museum. Also on display are other railroad items, photographs and documents of historical interest. Many of these came from the families of former IC employees and others with an interest in preserving Water Valley's railroad heritage. During construction the museum will not be open during regular hours. However, visitors can call 473-2849 or 473-1154 and make arrangements to tour the depot, according to J. K. Gurner, museum curator. Donations to the depot fund should be sent to the Water Valley Depot Project, 105 Railroad Avenue, Water Valley, MS 38965.
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