Now that Kosciusko’s historic caboose has been successfully moved to a new location, city leaders are turning their attention to what comes next.
During this week’s Minute with the Mayor, Mayor Tim Kyle said the relocation of the 1894 caboose was far more difficult than expected, requiring crews to spend multiple days maneuvering the structure off its original supports and onto nearby railroad tracks.
The caboose, which was built in 1894 and moved to Kosciusko around 1980, spent decades near the historic Strand Theatre. Kyle said city officials felt it was important to preserve the structure rather than allow it to continue deteriorating.
“We couldn’t leave it where it was and just let it collapse and destroy itself or damage the Strand building,” he said.
With the move complete, the city’s focus has shifted to restoration.
Kyle said the side of the caboose that is now visible to the public was previously against the building and contains original 1894 lumber that is in poor condition.
Replacement lumber is already inside the caboose, but the city is seeking volunteers with carpentry and woodworking skills to help with the restoration.
“If anybody out there has woodworking skills, we do need you,” Kyle said.
The mayor said his long-term vision is to restore the caboose and eventually move it farther down the tracks to a location near Highway 35, where it would be more visible to residents and visitors entering the city.
The caboose could potentially feature a “Welcome to Kosciusko” message and serve as a historic landmark at one of the city’s gateways.
Before that can happen, however, the city must inspect small bridges and overgrown sections of track along the route to ensure they can safely support the caboose.
“There are a lot of challenges there,” Kyle said. “But that’s something we’re working on.”
Despite the hurdles, city leaders say preserving the more than 130-year-old railcar is worth the effort.
“There aren’t many people that have an 1894 caboose,” Kyle said. “It’s historic, and we’d love to get that thing fixed.”
Audio: Tim Kyle during Minute with the Mayor on Breezy 103
