Great Northern engine is Preservation Commission 2024 ornament

Press release

The Havre/Hill County Preservation Commission has selected the GN 2584 Engine as this 13th historical ornament. The first ornament was presented in 2011, it depicted the historical Havre Post Office. The ornament was a sellout. This year’s ornament idea was brought to the Commission by Gary Springer, a retired railroad employee.

Springer started work for the railroad 40 years ago and he just retired on October 17 of this year. Springer is very passionate when it comes to the railroad and its history. He is working tp organize a group to restore the engine. There is great interest in this engine and its history from across the country. Springer has mailed ornaments to six states to people that have requested them.

The Commission honors one historic location each year with an ornament depicting the building or site being honored. Sometimes we forget or over look the hidden gems of our area. When Springer brought the idea to the Commission, it was a good fit, with the deep and rich history Havre has with the railroad along with the history of the engine itself.

GN 2583, a Northern type S-2 locomotive, pulled passenger trains, like the Empire Builder and the Oriental Limited, between St. Paul and Seattle from 1931 until the 1950’s. GN 2584 is the last surviving engine of its type. Retired in 1957, it was finally moved to Havre and put on display in 1964. In its heyday, 2584 had a top speed of 100 mph! It was truly a source of pride for the Great Northern Railway.

Ben Cordsen of Colorado is the artist behind making this year’s ornaments and all the ones from the past. The Commission embarked on this project to bring awareness to the many wonderful historical sites and buildings that surround us. The first holiday ornament commissioned was minted in 2011 depicting the old historic Post Office. Only 100 were made and sold out quickly.

The limited-edition ornaments are available now for $20 at the Havre Chamber of Commerce, the H. Earl Clack Museum and the Havre Railroad Museum. Proceeds from the ornament help fund preservation projects, for example, work done on the chapel at Camp Kiwanis, in Beaver Creek Park and the historical murals on the Eagles and Holden’s Hot Wheels buildings.

The Commission is offering a promotional special of $15 for earlier issued ornaments. Past year ornaments available are: The Hill County Courthouse, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Donaldson Hall and Pershing Hall at MSU-Northern, Kiwanis Chapel, Clack Elevators, Burnham Schoolhouse, Carnegie Library Gallery, St. Jude’s Church- sold out, Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump and Grizzly Gasoline Co. ( Heltne’s ) Service Station.

Ornaments past and present make a great holiday gift.