Grand Opening McComb City Railroad Depot Museum
Schedule
Sat, 01 Nov, 2025 at 10:00 am
UTC-05:00Location
112 Third St., McComb, MS, United States, Mississippi 39648 | Mccomb, MS
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Things are moving quickly for the completion of the McComb City Depot. When it is finished, the Depot Museum will be moving back in. We anticipate a Grand Opening on Saturday, November 1!What is unique about the McComb City Railroad Depot Museum?
The McComb City Railroad Depot Museum is unique for its deep connection to the Illinois Central Railroad and the founding of the city. Its distinctive features include rare surviving rolling stock, a substantial collection of artifacts preserved by railroad retirees, and exhibits that highlight local history, including the story of "Casey" Jones.
Connection to the city's founding
McComb owes its existence to the railroad, and the museum's history is inextricably linked to the city's origins. In 1872, Colonel Henry S. McComb—the president of the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad—purchased land to move his company's maintenance shops away from the saloons of New Orleans. This led to the founding of McComb as a railroad company town.
The museum itself is located within the city's original 1901 Illinois Central passenger terminal.
Rare rolling stock
The museum's collection includes several unique and historic train cars: Illinois Central Locomotive #2542: This is a 200-ton Mountain-type 4-8-2 steam locomotive, and one of only two of its kind to be preserved.
Illinois Central #51000: The museum owns the only aluminum refrigerator car ever built by the Illinois Central Railroad.
Historic office car: A rare 1883 office car, used for executive rail travel in the 19th century, is part of the collection.
Extensive collection and oral histories
Much of the museum's collection was assembled and preserved over the years by a dedicated group of Illinois Central Railroad retirees.
The museum also features an oral history of the railroad, which includes stories from the railroaders who lived and worked on the line.
Artifacts include historical photographs, oral histories from employees, and period railroad attire.
Local lore and exhibits
Exhibits detail key events, such as President Teddy Roosevelt's visit to McComb in 1911, where he gave a speech on the depot platform.
The museum's collection includes information on the famous 1900 railroad crash that killed engineer Casey Jones near Vaughn, Mississippi.
Please make plans to visit us when we re-open. Share this with your friends and neighbors.
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Where is it happening?
112 Third St., McComb, MS, United States, Mississippi 39648Event Location & Nearby Stays:
