The exhibit focuses on the vital role that the railroad system played throughout its history in the Marquette area. It features pieces from the museum’s permanent collection, as well as loaned pieces from local and out-of-state private collectors.

“The exhibit traces the evolution of the railroads here in Marquette County,” Marquette Regional History Center curator Jo Wittler said. “The railroads connected Marquette to the rest of the country. They were such a big part of our county, they were a big employer.”

Trains would have been a common sight in Marquette in the past, as multiple railroad companies had headquarters in Marquette.

“Whether it was people coming to or leaving the area, or even farmers coming into town to bring their crops to the market, the railroads played a part,” Wittler said. “Logging, freight, pretty much everything was moving by train.”

Marquette residents in 2000 watch as workers take down the section of railroad trestle over Front Street in Marquette. (Journal file photo)

The exhibit demonstrates that much of the Marquette area’s history is intertwined with the history of the area’s railroads. This theme is explored in the exhibit, which features artifacts like maps, literature and some of the amenities in the cars, which were meant to make the rides as comfortable as possible for passengers.

The exhibit also shows where the trains ran, what their destinations were and what they carried, all while tracing the history of the railroads from their very beginning up through today, detailing how they have changed over the years.

Much of the history of the railroads coincides with the 1840s advent of major mining operations in Marquette County and surrounding areas.

As the mines continued to expand, the railroad system followed suit. The exhibit details the growth of the railroad systems, as well as the creation of the Marquette lower harbor ore dock and the Soo Line.

The exhibit also gives viewers a glimpse into the efforts of the many people who contributed to the railroad system.

Dan Beckman of the Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad is shown as he exits the cab of the locomotive in 2002, about two years after the downtown Marquette trestle was removed. (Journal file photo)

“This collection honors the work that so many men and women did here,” Wittler said. “A lot of this was dangerous, hard work.”

While the exhibit can be viewed now, it officially kicks off at 5 p.m. Wednesday with the opening reception, which will offer attendees a chance to view the exhibit and speak to Wittler, its curator. The exhibit will run until February 2023.

Following the opening reception, “The Yardmaster: A Working Railroad of Today,” will be presented by Anne and Tony Erspamer at 6:30 p.m.

More information can be found online at www.marquettehistory.org.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.

The Mesabi Miner unloads in 2008 the last shipment of coal at the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad ore dock as steam rises off of Lake Superior in Marquette. (Journal file photo)

A functioning model of a Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad car is shown at the Marquette Regional History Center’s new exhibit, “Railroads of Marquette County: Yesterday and Today.” A reception will be held for the exhibit at 5 p.m. Wednesday. (Journal photo by Randy Crouch)

A view of the Marquette Regional History Center’s new exhibit, “Railroads of Marquette County: Yesterday and Today,” is shown. The exhibit details the long and storied history of the area’s railroads, as well as their relation to the area’s people and industries. (Journal photo by Randy Crouch)

A view of the Marquette Regional History Center’s new exhibit, “Railroads of Marquette County: Yesterday and Today,” is shown. A reception will be held for the exhibit at 5 p.m. Wednesday. (Journal photo by Randy Crouch)