In 2004 the Casey Jones Railroad Museum State Park at Vaughan, Mississippi, was closed. Most of the artifacts were moved to Water Valley and are now on display here. On Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006, J. K. Gurner, curator of the Water Valley Museum; Redbird Express, Hobo Ambassador to the Museum; and Jack Gurner, President of the Board of Directors; took a trip to Vaughan for what they described as a “last look” at the Casey Jones wreck site.

The area around the museum is becoming overgrown and the building is in general disrepair. About three-quarters of a mile to the north is the spot where the wreck took place. Where once stood a historical marker are now four garbage collection dumpsters. Overflow has fallen down the hill and litters the historic site. Not only is the litter unsightly, but it could be dangerous for the few trains which still run on this section of track. A piece of metal bed frame that lay across the rail and was thrown back up the hill toward the dumpsters.

“It’s a shame that the state wouldn’t keep it open,” Redbird commented on the closing. “Piece by piece parts of Mississippi’s history are being lost to what modern times does to places like this.”

“I’ve been here seven times, but this will probably be my last, “ Redbird said. “Soon there won’t be anything left.”

The Museum as it looks in April 2006

The barbed wire which kept out vandals, thieves and the locals, hangs loose on the fence. It was taken down and not replaced when the engine was moved.

The museum from the northeast corner.

For now, the Vaughan sign still hangs.