Hesston Steam Museum
| Hesston Steam Museum | |
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| Location | Galena Township, LaPorte County, Indiana |
| Nearest town | Hesston, Indiana |
| Coordinates | 41°45′15″N 86°40′41″W / 41.754036°N 86.677953°WCoordinates: 41°45′15″N 86°40′41″W / 41.754036°N 86.677953°W |
| Area | 155 acres (0.242 sq mi; 63 ha; 0.63 km2) |
| Established | 1957 |
Hesston Steam Museum is an outdoor museum operated by the Laporte County Historical Steam Society in Hesston, Indiana. The museum occupies 155 acres and is the home of four different gauge railroads along with numerous other pieces of steam powered and vintage farm equipment.
The desire of a few local steam buffs to perpetuate the use of steam power necessitated the purchase of suitable land for an annual reunion. Twenty two acres (the present main show grounds) 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 La Porte 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 in1961, and the Browning crane in 1962. In 1964, at the suggestion of Bruce Achor, a steam locomotive was purchased from Elliott Donnelley of Lake Forest, IL, who took an interest in the accomplishments at Hesston. During 1965-1968, with the generous financial assistance of Mr. Donnelley, the remainder of the 155 acre site was purchased and a unique dual gauge (2 ft (610 mm) and 3 ft (914 mm)) 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.
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. Donnelley died in late December 1975, and upon his death his family donated the 14 in (356 mm) gauge railroad that had operated on his Lake Forest estate. The railroad was removed by society members during 1976 and moved to the steam grounds. Reconstruction of the 14 in gauge railroad began in 1977 and was completed in 1982.
A 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. The damage from the fire was estimated to be $2.5 million. In response to this fire members purchased two Plymouth gasoline locomotives, and with a Melodia coach 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.
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