Caboose Dedication at Allen Pond, July, 1973

Caboose Dedication at Allen Pond, July, 1973

Click each picture to see a larger image.

The caboose being dedicated in Allen Pond Park. The caboose was located on the present day location of the tot playground - on the opposite side of the pond from the parking lot.

Some of Bowie's politicians are standing in the background. I still need to check with one of Bowie's old-timers, but I think from left to right is Councilman Herb Sachs, Councilman Bill Wildman, Councilwoman Dene Bain and others.

Notice the barn in the background with the three cupolas. A barn with a cupola appeared to be in the background of one of the 1970s accident scene locations I was trying to identify. Click here to see that post.

According to information found at the Bowie Train Station Museum, this is Hilda Richstone, but I couldn't find what her role was in the dedication. Coincidentally, the only Hilda Richstone that I found on-line was struck and killed by a train in 1996.

The city apparently handed out activity sheets or some papers associated with the dedication.

"Little Red Caboose, July 23, 1973, Allen Pond"

Information available at the Bowie Train Station Museum indicates that the train was given to the City of Bowie in 1972 and dedicated in 1972, so there is some discrepancy on the dates. Arnie Miles took pictures for the Bowie Blade between 1973 and 1975, and the negatives for these pictures were labeled 1973.

A close-up of the handout.

A picture of a sign on display at the Bowie Train Station Museum. Note the picture of Hilda Richstone at the dedication ceremony and the caption indicating that the dedication took place in 1972.

The caboose in 2009 at its current location at the Bowie Train Station Museum in Old Bowie.

These pictures were posted as part of the Bowie Blade Pic Project, I've been posting pictures taken by Arnie Miles for the Bowie Blade between 1973 and 1975.

Photos of Bowie Maryland 1973 through 1975 by Arnie Miles is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States
License

Other Bowie Blade Pic Project Posts

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• Previous: Bowie Area Accident Scenes, August, 1973
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Bowie Museum Petitions for John Wayne on Dollar Bill

Did you know that there's a John Wayne museum in Hilltop Plaza in Bowie? It's tucked away in the little alley between 7-Eleven and the Outback Steakhouse. The Bowie Blade-News ran a story on the museum in 2006.

The John Wayne Museum started a petition to replace George Washington with John Wayne on the U.S. one dollar bill. If you feel moved to support the effort, you can head on over to the Hilltop Plaza 7-Eleven to sign the petition.


The petition reads as follows:

Be It Resolved:
That the image of John Wayne replace
that of George Washington on the
American One Dollar Bill
Whereas: John Wayne continues to serve as the
embodiment of American reliability;
Whereas: John Wayne's word was his bond and
he made good on all commitments;
Whereas: John Wayne's popularity in the United
States and around the World continues to cast a
favorable image of Americans;

In a film career career spanning nearly 50 years and 154 films, John Wayne portrayed Americans at their best. The Duke made sure that his characters spoke plainly, made good on all promises, and always delivered the goods. Even decades after his death, John Wayne is still a favorite film star in The United States and around the World. Therefore, We Petition The United States Department of Treasury to grant John Wayne his rightful place on American Currency.

"Keep The Legend Alive"
VOTE FOR REAL CHANGE NOW!

Don Knotts and Adam West have already signed the petition.

Where in Bowie? Answer revealed.

In a previous post, I asked where this picture was taken in Bowie.

The picture was taken along the brick walkway leading to the Belair Stable Museum. Kudos to Anonymous for correctly guessing the answer.