A damaged historic structure on Main Street has been restored through a volunteer effort aimed at preserving a long-standing piece of the community’s past.
The train shanty — a small historic building used during community events — recently underwent repairs after its aging door was damaged. Rather than replacing the door entirely, volunteers rebuilt it to preserve its original etched glass, which was still intact.
Former Chanute City Commissioner Tim Egner said the project came together after the damage was brought up during a city commission meeting over the summer.
“Somebody had kicked the bottom half of the door in, and they were talking about trying to get it repaired,” Egner said. “I do that kind of stuff, so I said I’d take a look at it.”
Egner said the door had to be reconstructed to fit the antique glass, requiring a search for an older door that would match the original hardware and style. The finished door is now made from two pieces, with the original glass preserved in the upper section.
“We wanted to protect that etched glass,” Egner said. “So we put plexiglass over it just to keep it from getting broken again.”
In addition to the door, volunteers repaired wood rot on the north side of the building and replaced a broken window with plexiglass to prevent further vandalism. The work took an estimated 30 to 40 hours, spread over several days.
“It wasn’t all at one time,” he said. “It was just something that needed done, and once it was on my radar, I thought we ought to take care of it.”
Several community members contributed to the project. Brian Barker assisted with sourcing materials for the door, while Tim Harding completed siding repairs while Egner was out of state. Ener and Terry Swisher handled painting, with the paint donated by Main Street board member Garret Sharp.
The restoration was completed recently with the installation of new awnings by Sharp Historic Awnings, giving the building a finished look.
The train shanty is used annually during community events, including ticket sales, and remains a functional part of downtown.
“It’s nice to be able to keep that historical part of Main Street,” Main Street Director Ruthann Boatwright said. “It’s been there as long as a lot of us can remember.”
The exact age of the structure is unknown, though longtime residents recall its use decades ago, including as a place where coal and wood were once used for heat. Main Street officials say they hope to research the building’s history further through local records and archives.
For now, organizers say the restoration ensures the shanty will remain both usable and preserved for future generations.
