Symerton Depot
The 1881 Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific depot from Symerton in central Will County, Illinois (on the line from Chicago to Decatur) was donated by the Norfolk & Western, after the station closed 1975, and moved board-by-board in 1979 by the Will County Historical Society to a site in downtown Lockport to be part of the society's Frontier Village.
The classic wood structure represents a typical 19th-century small town railroad depot. The Symerton depot contains many original items from this era, including telegraph hardware, office equipment and original Wabash Railroad paperwork. The Blackhawk Railway Historical Society has given generous financial support for repairs and restoration of this depot and it has been the site of Bill Molony's continuing performance as a 19th-century station agent. In 2009, the Will County Historical Society's frontier village was evicted from their site in downtown Lockport and the station and the village was placed in storage on the north side of town. |
A new site was selected between 2nd and 3rd Streets in Lockport, located between the I&M Canal and the former Chicago & Alton tracks.
On September 17, 2011, the Will County Historical Society Heritage Festival took place in Lockport to raise awareness and money for the placement and restoration of the settlement buildings. Blackhawk president Bill Molony, and chapter members Ed Merzlock and Dick Wheeler created a diorama for the Will County Historical Society showing the proposed layout of the new site for the station and the rest of the pioneer village. |
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Throughout late Summer/early Fall 2012, the Symerton depot and the rest of the village was moved into their new location. At that time, it was found that key supports on the building had rotted to the point where the building was in danger. Since repairing this damage was not in the WCHS's budget, the Blackhawk financed the needed repairs. Blackhawk president Bill Molony also built an authentic replica of the original Wabash-style depot sign, getting the depot closer to its original as-built appearance.
In 2014, the Blackhawk arranged to have the depot stripped and repainted in an authentic Wabash Railroad two-tone paint job. In the Summer of 2015, with the financial help from Blackhawk, contractors finally laid down a section of ballast and track in front of the depot. Finally, in 2016, an authentic period wood-style platform built.
In the Fall of 2018, several buildings in the Heritage Village were vandalized. Fortunately, the Symerton Depot was not damaged.
In 2024, Blackhawk made another donation to cover some necessary repairs.
A local journalist has captured Bill's "performance" as Station Agent during Lockport's annual "Canal Days" festival. Watch the YouTube video below and learn about everything that would happen at a small town station.
In 2014, the Blackhawk arranged to have the depot stripped and repainted in an authentic Wabash Railroad two-tone paint job. In the Summer of 2015, with the financial help from Blackhawk, contractors finally laid down a section of ballast and track in front of the depot. Finally, in 2016, an authentic period wood-style platform built.
In the Fall of 2018, several buildings in the Heritage Village were vandalized. Fortunately, the Symerton Depot was not damaged.
In 2024, Blackhawk made another donation to cover some necessary repairs.
A local journalist has captured Bill's "performance" as Station Agent during Lockport's annual "Canal Days" festival. Watch the YouTube video below and learn about everything that would happen at a small town station.