Public Communications serves as a communications link between the city of Columbia’s municipal government and the citizens. The Public Communications Office coordinates several programs that are designed to link citizens with their city government.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jill Stedem, Public Works Department - (573) 874-7250

City to celebrate Wabash centennial

COLUMBIA, MO (July 6, 2010) - The city of Columbia invites the public to the Wabash Centennial Jubilee celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Wabash Station on Friday, July 16. The Wabash Station is the main hub of Columbia Transit.

A kickoff ceremony, featuring Mayor Bob McDavid and local historian Bill Clark, will be held at 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Wabash Station, 126 N. Tenth Street. The celebration will continue at 5 p.m. with activities for the family around the Wabash Station. The event, which runs from 5-9 p.m., will include tours of the Wabash Station and old train storage facility plus children’s activities with train rides and balloon creations for the little ones, train vendors and collectors from across mid-Missouri, art, musical entertainment, food and more. Other displays include the Columbia Fire Department’s 1940 Herc fire truck and other vintage vehicles.

The station originally opened in 1910 as the Wabash Railroad Station and provided passenger service until 1964. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the building is a living reminder of the role rail travel played in bringing the world to a growing community. The city purchased the facility in 1982. It now serves as the central hub for the bus transportation system.

The event is free and open to the public. Event sponsors include the city of Columbia, Artlandish Gallery and Culligan Water. For more information about the event, contact the Public Works Department at (573) 874-7250 or visit www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

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