Hesston Steam Museum — Attraction in Indiana

The La Porte County Historical Steam Society is a Not-for-Profit 501c3 dedicated to restoring and preserving steam equipment which played such an important part in the history of American culture and improved the quality of life on a global scale never seen before. While all have a common devotion and intent of purpose, the members of this group have a wide variety in their background, business or profession, and education.

How did innovation help people achieve a better way of life?

The desire of a few local steam buffs to share in history of the use and innovation of steam power necessitated the purchase of suitable land for an annual reunion. Twenty-two acres (our present main campus) were purchased and hundreds of thorn apple trees cleared. A dam was built in Mud Creek to form Duck Lake as a source of water for the engines. The group, then called LaPorte County Threshermen, held their first show and reunion in 1957. Traction engines were the main feature and provided most of the power. A sawmill was added in 1959, the electric plant in 1961, and the Browning crane in 1962. At the suggestion of Bruce Achor, a couple of members purchased a steam locomotive in 1964 from Elliott Donnelley of Lake Forest, IL, who took an interest in the accomplishments at Hesston. With his generous financial assistance, during 1965-1968, the remainder of our 155 acre site was purchased and a unique dual gauge (24"/36") railroad was constructed. The La Porte County Historical Steam Society, Inc. was chartered as a not-for-profit organization on December 16, 1968 and the original La Porte County Threshermen club was absorbed and dissolved. In 1969, the IRS granted recognition as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

The RailroadThe railroad is a recreation of a 1900's narrow gauge logging railroad that would have supplied sawmills with logs but also transportation to different rural towns and villages. Other common freight as well.Weekend (Memorial Day to Labor Day) operation of the railroad began in 1969. Additional buildings were erected and more equipment arrived for restoration and exhibit each year. The SHAY locomotive restoration was completed and dedicated August 30, 1975. Unfortunately, Mr. Donnelley passed away in late December 1975. His family donated the 14" gauge railroad that had operated on his Lake Forest estate, so it was removed from the estate by society members during 1976 and moved to the steam grounds. Construction on the new site started in 1977. Completion in July 1982 was marked with a Golden Spike ceremony.In 2019 the railroad was re-themed to The Hesston & Galena Creek Narrow Gauge Railroad, the 1911 HK Porter Locomotive restoration was completed and improved the cut and topography at the highest elevation at Glacier Pass.

A $2.5 million fire on May 26, 1985 destroyed most of the large railroad equipment. Nine cars, the Henschel, and a diesel locomotive, along with many tools and small parts were lost. Also badly damaged were the Shay, Porter, and India locomotives. Members purchased two Plymouth gasoline locomotives, and along with a railroad coach that was purchased with a grant from the La Porte County Tourism and Convention Bureau, railroad operation (but not steam) resumed in time for the 1985 show. In early 1986, permission was received from the insurance company to begin salvage operations.

The equipment arrived on April 14, 1987. The brand new, yet 47 years old, CSK was immediately placed in the shop for cleaning and inspection. It was fired up for the very first time in August 1987 and now serves as our regular locomotive for weekend operation. The India locomotive was retired in 1988, after a crack developed in the copper firebox, not quite making it to 100 years of operation. In 1990, the Orenstein & Koppel 0-8-0 was moved to the shop for a heavy restoration. In 1997, it was temporarily de-superheated and, in 1998, was reflued by the Hesston shop crew. Also in 1998, work started on construction of an enclosed passenger coach for...

Our boys love trains and I am so glad we took the time to visit the Hesston Steam Museum. It was a wonderful family day and we had so much fun. All 3 trains were running. We only rode the large and medium to save money, but all 3 would have been good rides. I think the largest and smallest are probably the neater rides because they go through the forest and over bridges etc. The medium train is fun because of the cattle car, which our boys rode in, but it goes along the edge of the property and no bridges or anything.

The bathrooms were clean and nice. There is plenty of shaded picnic space to bring your own lunch or pick up something at the soda shop to eat. We did get burgers for lunch and they were delicious. Large burger fresh made on toasted butter buns. The price also wasn't bad for what you get, $6.50 for cheeseburger and fries. Our kids split the meal and we drank our own water so it was very affordable. We didn't try the ice cream but it looked delicious and they gave good portions as well.

Our kids are little so we just rode the trains and ate, but there was a lot more to walk around and look at. There were barns with old trains and farm equipment, a black Smith shop, volunteers working on repairing parts etc. Definitely a good place for a field trip. All the people working here are volunteers and love what they do. They're full of knowledge too. Everyone we met was friendly and helpful. We'll come back...

Be prepared for children. Lots and lots of young children. Average age was 3-4. Normally I like children. Normally I LOVE kids experiencing history/nature/technology. But this "museum" began to feel like an amusement park within a half hour. The teacher/child caregiver in me had multiple heart attacks as parents let their young childen play on the tracks/climb on equipment. It really distracted me from the learnings. By mid-afternoon the multitude of tiny high pitched cries ringing out across the fields and attractions, in lines and on the trains hit just the right nerves to constitute as torture. I realize, it's not the place's fault, but just be prepared if being small children will bother you. When it quieted down for the day, it was quite nice to walk around. The interpretation was unfortunately lacking. A couple sheds had names unrelated to what was happening inside, and nothing to read/pictures to tell a story. No map or guide to see what was available. Three tracks, several engines. The smallest train had the longest line, and could take the fewest number of riders, but I enjoyed it the most. Also enjoyed the 1930's...