Small Town News

Caboose Visitor Center opening soon

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Work on Superior's new Caboose Visitor Center is chugging along. The Caboose is nearly finished and plans are underway for a grand opening celebration in the summer.

The Caboose, located at the US 60 Park, has been under renovation since last spring. It will be an official State of Arizona visitor center and will bring visitors and residents up to speed on local and state attractions. It will house information on sights and happenings in and around Superior and the five tourism regions in the state.

The Caboose Visitor Center will also be an attraction in and of itself. It was once a part of the Magma Arizona Railroad Company. According to the Arizona Office of Tourism, it is the only visitor center housed in a caboose or train in the state.

The Town of Superior was awarded two Rural Tourism Development Grants for the renovation from the Arizona Office of Tourism. The first grant for $50,000 was awarded during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The second grant for $46,875 was awarded this fiscal year.

The final cost of the renovation will be approximately $100,000. Other funding came from a cash match from the Town as well as in-kind donations of staff labor.

The renovation was tackled to transform the caboose into a safe, comfortable, and accessible visitor center. The grants were used to purchase and install heating and cooling, displays, and handicap accessibility. The grants also contributed to the completion of the Mining History Trail.

Melanie Oliver, Superior town manager, said that the Caboose would be manned by the Superior Chamber of Commerce. "They're going to meet with the town council to go over the details of manning the Caboose," she said. She said that the details hadn't been ironed out yet but would be soon.

The Caboose renovation was a vision of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) that formed in 2005. The committee decided to support tourism as a way to foster economic development and saw the potential of the Caboose.

The US 60 Park was identified as an important hub for travelers that could be improved with the Caboose renovation. Another EDC project, the Legends of Superior Trail, was also aligned to go through the park. One of the trailheads for the trail system will be located at the park.

The EDC is comprised of members representing Superior businesses and government. Rosalyn Boxer from the Arizona Department of Commerce helped the committee indentify projects. She also assisted with applying for and receiving project funding. Resolution Copper also supported the EDC.

The Caboose's former home, the Magma Arizona Railroad Company line, may also see traffic again thanks to Resolution.

According to Resolution's website, the railway may be used to transport copper again. It was originally constructed in 1914 'and transported copper from the Magma Mine but has been idle since the mine closed in 1997.

The Caboose won't be making any more trips but far from being idle, it will help Superior visitors and residents plan future trips and take a trip back in time. Standing inside the Caboose, visitors will be able to explore a piece of local history.



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