The Checotah Landmark Preservation Society (CLPS) and the Katy Depot had a great turnout for their Hobo Dinner and Dessert Auction on Oct. 14 and it brought in some big bucks for the historical site.
Several dignitaries came to the dinner, including Senator Roger Thompson and his wife Pamela, OK House of Representatives Neil hays and former member of the OK House of Representatives Avery Frix and his wife Haley Frix, along with many locals. Couples, Karen (Martin) Harding and Gary Harding and Iris and Joe Park, came dressed for the hobo party and the Amundson family brought the entertainment with good, wholesome music.
The menu included beans or stew with cornbread and a table full of desserts were auctioned off pieces by pieces by Haskell County Sheriff Tim Turner for the upkeep of the Katy Depot.
It was a fun and furious battle of the pies, with Senator Thompson smoking the competition with buying seven items. Two pies from Karen King-Hyatt went for $575 (a coconut cream pie) and $500 (a chocolate pie with meringue). Then he surprised Freedom House by donating most of his pies to the Freedom ladies who work hard in the community and had a huge part in helping clean up the Katy.
The Katy raised $4,761.58 from the pie auction and donations. They also had additional $2,152 in sponsors for the event, which brought their total to $6,911.58.
Jean Gawf, vice president of the Katy Depot, was pleased with the turnout and support of so many in the community.
“I think everything went extremely well and we more than doubled what had been brought in during any Hobo dinner before. After all the hours of cleaning with the help of the Freedom House ladies, we were more than ready to host a community event. To see such a great turnout was just the icing on the cake.”
From CLPS to the community
The Checotah Landmark Preservation Society would like to invite you to become a valued member of CLPS and the Katy Depot.
Every year CLPS hosts its annual Ghost Dinner Fall Fundraiser to raise money for much needed repairs and upkeep to the Katy Depot. There are no costumes or food, just membership dues of friends who want to keep the Katy on track.
The 1890 Katy Depot is Checotah’s original train depot that was relocated due to the railroad set to have it demolished. However, CLPS excitedly purchased the depot and relocated it to Paul Carr Drive. Now the Katy Depot is a donationfunded museum that houses Checotah history and memorabilia, MKT memorabilia and memorabilia related to prominent members of Checotah’s history, Checotahans who have become famous and those who have made Checotah famous.
The Katy Depot has undergone big changes within the past year that they are extremely excited about, such as days of deep cleaning, new parking, updated exhibits and cases, and so much more.
The Katy Depot is now back open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. along with planned events for the community.
The Katy Depot is also always looking for volunteers who love local history and enjoy sharing local history with others. To become a member or a volunteer call Jerri Holder, president of the Katy Depot at 918-473-2070.
