The City of Scottsdale completed a $2.5 million makeover of the railroad park. A new, two-story, 5,000-square-foot replica of the 1913-vintage Clifton Station in Clifton, Arizona was built to serve as a park headquarters and provide a souvenir shop, and was named Stillman Station. A new train-loading platform was constructed to allow staff to operate a longer train and to help reduce wait times. New restrooms and a clock tower were also built. The Snackstop food concession, new carousel and playground were also relocated, as were several other park amenities. The rededication ceremony was held Friday, October 10, 1997. Mayor Kathryn
“Sam” Campana, City Manager Dick Bowers, Patricia Stillman and Bill Soderquist representing the Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society spoke at the dedication. At the time of the renovation and re-dedication, Bob McNair was the city’s manager of the park. Within two months of reopening the park, attendance and revenue were up as much as twice that of November 1995.
DATE: October 10, 1997