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| The Metz Depot as it appeared in the early 1960's |
A walk through Frontier Village is akin to touring an expansive, outdoor museum as it showcases steam engines, vintage farm equipment, several old time stores, a schoolhouse, a sawmill, a blacksmith shop, outdoor small scale railway, windmills and much more making this one of the area's largest family attractions
The village also offers an indoor O scale model railroad setup that would make old man Lionel himself jealous. But a step outside would leave one to realize something is missing as quite visible from I-49 highway is a brightly painted caboose that sits adjacent to the railroad tracks. You'll also see other railroad memorabilia nearby.
But... no train depot. At the moment anyway.
For some time now, volunteers have had their eye on one (if not the last) area train depots still standing and available- located near the southern edge of Bates County in Metz, Mo.
Upon discovery of the depot, which was relocated about a mile from its original home by the railroad tracks in Metz, members of the Western Missouri Antique Tractor & Machinery Association have made several trips to the site to assess its overall condition to determine if the antiquated timbers could withstand the 40 or so mile journey to Frontier Village.
The ultimate conclusion was reached recently- that would a an affirmative 'Yes sir'!
Now, time to get busy. Over the past few weeks, volunteers made additional treks to the depot to remove and clean up the unit as over the years it had become a storage area and workshop. The decades of accumulation revealed a healthy pile of dumpster filler but a few key mementos as well- including the original sign that once greeted rail passengers in the town of Metz.
According to WMATAMA member Ronnie Fritts, who is helping to spearhead the project, from this point forward everyone is on a 'fast track' (pun intended) to get the building to its new home as soon as possible. Cooperation with Osage Valley Electric Coop to raise power lines along the way has already been procured, as well as other needed logistics.
Upon arrival at Frontier Village work will commence setting it on a foundation then rebuilding the depot to its original sheen thus making it ready to weather decades to come with a goal of completion by the annual Hot Chocolate Night celebration this December.
In the meantime donations are needed, both monetary and decorative. To fully outfit the structure 'as it was' will require at least a pot belly stove, a railroad clock, a telegraph setup, antique two wheeler, baggage scales, lanterns, lighting, and similar.
Monetary donations may be sent c/o Ronnie Fritts, PO Box 63, Adrian Mo 64720. For other donations or questions, call him at 816-830-2626. Note the Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association is a 501c3 organization.
A hearty thank-you goes to Countywide Disposal their donation that helped with cleanup, it is greatly appreciated.
Mid America Live will provide progress updates accordingly.
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| A TREASURE IN THE RUBBLE located in back is the original Metz Depot sign |
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| An approximate rendering of how the depot will appear at Frontier Village |
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