Page 618 Walking Dragline moves to Dragline Park this Friday

The "tub" of the fabulous Page 618 Walking Dragline will be making its way to the final destination at Dragline Park in Franklin, KS.

Plans are to leave its site in Cherokee County this Friday, Oct. 30 around 10:30 am.

All times are estimated and sometimes the unexpected can change those plans so please consider being at your viewing site early and plan to have patience.

The cab will be moved at a later date.

It is anticipated that the tub will reach the intersection of Kansas Crossing (Hwy 69 & 400) between 11 and 12 and possibly sooner. There is no way to accurately give an exact time.

Planners hope to reach its final destination in Franklin between noon and 1 p.m.

Please DO NOT park on the grounds of the new site in Franklin or along the curved area of the highway adjacent to Dragline Park as this big piece of equipment will need lots of turning space. Also be respectful of property owners in the area and do not park on their property.

Community members are invited to safely observe the move from locations along the route.

Please do not stop along the highway. Instead, park only in safe, permitted areas and avoid blocking traffic.

Recommended viewing will begin at Hwy 69 & Hwy 400 (Kansas Crossing corner) and continue north along the Hwy 69 Bypass, then north on Business 69 into Franklin.

There will be no parking "on" the Franklin site. "Estimated" time of arrival at the Kansas Crossing intersection will be between 11 and noon on Friday.

Those wishing to watch along Highway 69 should obtain permission from property owners before parking on private property.

A video is being created by Creative 124 of the entire project for purchase at a later date. Project Support

The Page 618 Dragline Project is funded in part by:

• Kansas Tourism
• The Patterson Family Foundation
• The John U. Parolo Education Trust
• The Coleman Family Foundation
• The Mitchelson Family Foundation

Miners Hall Museum extends its sincere gratitude to the Wendell & Lynda Wilkinson family for the generous donation of the Page 618 Walking Dragline, originally used by the Wilkinson Coal Company of Weir City, Kansas.

Miners Hall Museum is honored to preserve this remarkable piece of coal-mining history. The new dragline exhibit will be located along the historic Jefferson Highway, adjacent to the National and State Historic Site "Franklin/Arma Sidewalk."

Miners Hall Museum remains dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich coal-mining history and diverse immigrant culture of Southeast Kansas.