ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Thursday, Delta County organizations hit the links to support the preservation of Gladstone’s railroad history.
The Gladstone Soo Line Steam Engine #730 Authority hosted its annual golf tournament at the Escanaba County Club. More than 15 teams spent the day playing the course, participating in raffles, and competing to win a new Jeep Compass by hitting a hole-in-one.
The Authority’s goal was to bring in $15,000 for the continued upkeep of Steam Engine #730, which stands along M-35. The group also hopes to raise enough money to build a museum that would tell the story of Gladstone and the Soo Line.
“My great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my dad all worked for the Soo Line Railroad,” said participant Bill Marmalick. “My great-grandfather started in the ’20s. My grandfather actually rode that steam engine onto the siding where it is right now. It’s important that we save the history of the Soo Line Railroad because without the Soo Line Railroad, Gladstone probably wouldn’t be there.”
As a nonprofit, the Gladstone Soo Line Steam Engine #730 Authority accepts donations through the Community Foundation for Delta County. Checks can be made out to the Community Foundation for Delta County, in care of Soo Line Steam Engine #730.
