TALLADEGA — The City Council could sell off a piece of the city’s history if the price is right.Although money isn’t the only factor in the council’s decision, the old caboose that makes its home next to the Greater Talladega Area Chamber of Commerce could be gone just the same.
The City Council is taking proposals from residents who are interested in owning the caboose, which first made its home at the lot in 1972, according to former Mayor Johnny McKinney.
"I think rather than let the caboose continue to deteriorate to the point where it can’t be salvaged, I think it’s proper for the council to receive proposals," said city manager Thomas Christie. "The proposals could ensure the long-term restoration and preservation of it."
Although there have been rumors of several individuals who want to use the old train car, no proposals had been submitted to the city clerk as of Monday afternoon.
"I guess the individuals have different reasons for it," Christie said. "I’ve heard rumors that people want to make a business out of it, a restaurant, and another individual wants to place it in his home to preserve it."
The council won’t just give the caboose to anyone, however. Some things that will be taken into consideration are "where it will be placed, how it will be used, whether the individual will preserve it, all types of issues would have to be addressed," Christie said.
Although officials are trying to protect the caboose, it’s possible they don’t know exactly what kind of historic treasure it is.
"I don’t have any history on it. I don’t even know how long it’s been there," said city clerk Sue Horn. "I know it’s been there for a long, long time and it has some connection with (the Chamber of Commerce building) being an old railroad depot. I’ve been with the city for 16 years and it’s been there the whole time."
"It was here when I got here and I don’t know how long it’s been sitting there," Christie said. "I don’t have a clue as to the origin of it or how long it’s been there or anything."
For those who have lived in Talladega for most of their lives, the caboose represents an important era in the city’s history.
When McKinney was mayor in 1972, the city received the caboose as part of a deal with L&N Railroad.
Because the trains often stopped traffic (there were no overpasses at that time), McKinney and the City Council passed an ordinance saying they could not block roads for more than 5 minutes at a time and couldn’t be over a certain length, McKinney said.
Rather than enforce the ordinance, McKinney struck a deal with the railroad company to consolidate the tracks to the southern side of the city and donate the caboose.
L&N Railroad "sold it to me right there for $1. They wanted to tear (the train station) down, but I said, ‘No’ because I had seen that happen in Birmingham," McKinney said. "I wanted a steam engine and a caboose, but I didn’t get the steam engine."
Afterward, the Junior Chamber of Commerce intended to use the caboose for their meeting place, said Robert Weaver of Talladega.
"That is a very historic piece of Talladega, and it’s a shame it’s being neglected like it has been over the years," McKinney said. "It’s a testament of the bygone era when railroads ran through Talladega; the city was a transportation center.
"It’s not as important as the Ritz Theatre, but the era it represents was prior to the Ritz. It upsets me with what they’ve done with it and what they’re letting happen to it. I think it’s inexcusable."
Despite what McKinney or others think that have grown up seeing the caboose, it may not be there for long.
But there may still be hope for the old car. If the city does decide to pass ownership on to a private individual, it will work to ensure the car is preserved, Christie said. If no proposals are received or approved, "we may leave it like it is, more than likely," he said.
For now, however, the fate of the old caboose is in the hands of the people in Talladega.
