Bishop - Laws to celebrate first train’s arrival

4-17-2008

The story of “settling the American West” will be forever linked with the story of rail-lines being laid where none had ever been before. An approaching anniversary has the Laws Railroad Museum bringing those parallel tracks together during a special commemorative event.
The arrival of the first train to the Owens Valley occurred back in 1883. Now, 125 years later, the Laws Railroad Museum is chugging ahead with plans to host a day filled with activities celebrating that inaugural train’s arrival at the Laws Depot.

“On Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m., ‘Old Smokey,’ one of the Laws Museum’s operational pieces of rolling stock, will be headed down the tracks to the old depot,” Bishop Museum and Historical Society 125th Anniversary Committee member Susan Cullen said, “and it’ll be carrying a number of historical dignitaries.”

Proudly displaying a California Award of Recognition received from 34th District Assemblyman Bill Maze, Bishop Museum and Historical Society President Jim Morrow poses with members of the “Laws 125th Anniversary Committee” ahead of Saturday’s commemoration of the first train service to Laws back in 1883. Also shown (l-r) are Ron Nickerson, Susan Cullen, Ruth Nielsen, Paul Thompson and Max Cox. Photo by Ken Koerner

Those historical figures included on “Old Smokey’s” passenger list, Cullen explained, “will include Harry Mann, the first station agent in Laws and even Mr. Laws, himself.”
The characters, being portrayed by members of the Bishop Museum and Historical Society, are expected to arrive at the station in period costume, in keeping with the event’s theme.
In addition to the commemoration taking place at Laws Museum itself, recognition of the 125th anniversary is also happening in Sacramento.
California 34th District Assemblyman Bill Maze has hopped on board the “Laws Anniversary Express” by issuing a “California Award of Recognition” to the Laws Railroad Museum, including Maze’s declaration that April 19, 2008 shall be “Laws Railroad Day.”
Developing a personal interest in trains began for Maze during his childhood in the Central Valley.
“I was raised in a ranch house not a hundred yards from some Southern Pacific railroad tracks, Maze said. “So, I grew up hearing those trains rolling past our home – and always being fascinated by the size and the power of those engines and wondering where those trains might be headed. I think many of us still have some of that child-like nature within that has us continuing to love trains.”
During visits to Bishop, Maze explained, he’s “made it out to the Laws Museum and always enjoyed the experience of being around so much of the area’s history in that unique spot. I encourage everyone to avail themselves of the history on display at Laws.”
Some of that railroad-engendered history is noted in the wording of the Award of Recognition from Maze, including, “WHEREAS, Soon after the expansion of the Laws Railroad came the construction of homes, barns, two general stores, a rooming house, an eating house, a hotel, a boarding house, a pool hall, a dance hall, a blacksmith shop, a post office, a barber shop, a powder magazine and a warehouse in the Bishop area.”
Saturday’s “The Train! The Train!” anniversary attractions will include a Heritage Booth, where visitors can browse old census records and photographs – and even look up family members in a historical database.
Youngsters in attendance can head for the “Kids Corner” booth, were there’ll be chances to participate in a coloring contest and face-painting.
There will also be some special speakers and displays highlighting the rich historical significance of the Owens Valley and the role that the railroad has played during the past century-plus.
For more information, contact the Laws Museum at (760) 873-5950, visit the online website at www.lawsmuseum.org, or call Susan Cullen at (760) 873-4676.