First Security Foundation Announces $7k Contribution to American Passenger Train History Museum

In 1869, the Milwaukee Road, the longest, end-to-end American railroad that was integral to Midwest infrastructure, arrived in Charles City, IA, connecting northern Iowa to the Mississippi River and South Dakota [Source: The Milwaukee Road: "America's Resourceful Railroad" (American-rails.com).] The first depot facilitated economic flourish because it was constructed by the Milwaukee Road amidst the birth of the Hart-Parr Company, a tractor manufacturing business. Hart-Parr Company would later become the Oliver Corporation, which many Charles City-area citizens are familiar with.  

The Milwaukee Road, the success of the Hart-Parr company, and the economic activity produced by the two required that a new, improved depot was built in 1912. It became integral to Charles City, a proverbial doorway that connected a small, charming town to the rest of the US.

Built of brick, the 2,700-square-foot facility was sturdier than its predecessor and better served the Charles City community. The depot was operable as a gateway to the town through the 1950s. Today, citizens recall neighbors, friends, family, and other community members boarding the train to serve in WWII.

Jim Smith, formerly on the Board of Directors at First Security, was one such person. Born on June 11th, 1923, in Grinnell, Iowa, Smith moved to Charles City at a young age. After growing up here, he enlisted in the Navy in 1941. Jim is said to have remembered his family seeing him off at the depot. He witnessed the Battle of Iwo Jima, watching as the six surviving marines lifted the American Flag. Postwar, Smith returned to Charles City to live life, get married, have a family, and eventually establish himself as an attorney. His memory perseveres in many ways, including as a major donor to the American Passenger Train History Museum (APTHM) and their effort to move and remodel the depot.

After WWII, the last passenger train left the station in 1960. In 1968, plagued with a devastating F5 tornado, Charles City was forced to rebuild. While the depot survived, it was narrowly missed-with a mere 300 ft between the storm and the building. Though minimal, there was some damage, and the facilities were repaired.

The depot was operable and used as a base for the Maintenance of Way department until 2011; in 2018, Canadian Pacific, the owner of the Milwaukee Road and the depot, declared their intention to demolish the historic site. Citizens of Charles City called upon the APTHM to incorporate the depot into their exhibits. Canadian Pacific agreed to the depot being in the museum if the building would be off their property. The next challenge presented itself: raising funds to excavate, build a foundation, and move the building. Just like today, this cause hit close to home for the First Security Foundation, and so in 2021, the Foundation donated $10,000 to the relocation of the depot. APTHM and the community raised $400,000, and the depot was moved from the property.

APTHM has a new goal: restoration and preservation of the depot. Fundamentally, the building is still in decent condition and has not had modifications since its origin in 1912. The work planned includes updating the interior of the building with electrical, plumbing, fire suppression, new restrooms, and windows. Plans for the exterior include renovation, installing a storm sewer, landscaping, and fencing. 

The estimated cost of the whole project is $1,000,000. The First Security Foundation donated $7,000 to the building restoration in 2024. Other monetary contributions include grants, fundraising, and donations.

First Security is proud to contribute to preserving Charles City's history because it will enrich the town and honor the memory of many individuals, such as Jim Smith, who departed from the depot to serve their country.