The Dennison Railroad Festival takes place around the Railroad Depot Museum in the Historic Center Street District. During the festival, there are rides, games, live entertainment, a train exhibit and more.
2023 DATE: May 31 – June 3, 2023
Location: Historic Center Street District
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum
400 Center St.
Dennison, OH 44621
Website: https://www.facebook.com/DRRFestival/
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This post documents my experience on June 18, 2011.
The village of Dennison is located between Columbus and Pittsburgh, 100 miles from either city. This may not be so important now, but, in the 1860’s, 100 miles was as far as trains could go before refilling.
Therefore, with both the location and the coal mines south of the area, the present-day Dennison was selected to have the largest railroad shops and yards in the country, eventually having 40 acres of rail yards.
Thousands moved here for work and, in 1873, the same year the village was incorporated, a station was built. All trains between St. Louis and New York stopped here, as well as trains from Pittsburgh to Chicago. The Red Cross even operated a canteen car here during both World War I and World War II.
But, in 1922, a strike set the beginning of the end for train life in Dennison. And even though trains no longer stop here…
…that golden past is still remembered and celebrated…
…through a Railroad Festival.
Taking place in the Historic Center Street District…
…a monster of a train slept in the background…
…appearing not much different than Dennison’s Iron Horse sculpture.
A long second train sat behind the station and most of the festival with people in the windows…
…including some you might know…
…if you looked closely enough.
The restored train station was open for visitors to see, holding a restaurant…
…a museum ($8)…
…and a gift shop with plenty of train-related merchandise.
From there…
…you could follow the keystones in the sidewalk…
…enjoy the scheduled performances on the stages…
…have fun at the games and rides…
…or enjoy some tasty food.
This was my pulled pork sandwich from Glass City Bar-B-Q from Lancaster…
…and it was wonderful!**
** – the last pic has no connection to the sandwich…it just seemed a waste not to use it.