Alberton celebrates its railroad heritage on Saturday

The founding of Alberton has its roots in the iconic Milwaukee Railroad, which began its quest for a route across America to the Pacific Coast in the early 1900s. 

The Milwaukee Railroad laid rail across the country in only three years which was a record at the time. 

Originally, the Alberton station that included quarters for railroad crews to rest up, was called Browntown. As legend has it, the town was named Alberton to honor one or two men called Albert. The first was the president of the Milwaukee Railroad, Albert J. Earling. The other was Alexander Albert, one of the first settlers in the area. 

The town was incorporated in 1920. The Milwaukee Railroad ran through Alberton until the company (and its roadbed) was sold. Alberton saw its first Milwaukee Steam Engine in 1909, but by 1916 the train was running on electricity. Children of that era recall the overhead electrical wires and the railroad tracks that crossed the only road through town, and warnings from mothers not to "cross the line."

The town of Alberton began celebrating its railroad heritage in the 1980s after Milwaukee ceased operating and the tracks were torn up from main street, which is called Railroad Avenue. Today, every third Saturday in July, the community celebrates all-things railroad, including the Golden Spike Treasure Hunt.

This Saturday, July 19, the festivities commence at 7 a.m. with the pancake breakfast hosted by the Senior Citizens in the Community Center at 701 Railroad Avenue. 

By 9 a.m., commercial vendors will be set up with activities galore including the silent auction and museums opening taking place along Railroad Avenue and in the Moats Park/gazebo field and Community Center vicinity. Food trucks start arriving at 9:30 a.m., with the Alberton School Yard Sale in the school parking lot running from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. To be in the parade, line up is at the Football Field on Parkway at 10:30 with the start at 11. 

"The parade is so nice that you get to see it twice" so find a curb anywhere on Railroad Avenue. Texas Tom Roat performs live at the Alberton Fire Hall at 11:30 a.m. and the 1st Golden Spike Clue is announced at noon at the Railroad Day Information Booth in the Community Center parking lot. Old Time Fiddlers in the Trax Bar at 3 p.m. with Texas Tom Roat moving to the Sportsman’s Tavern at 4 p.m. 

And then at 8 p.m., live tunes continue with the Northern Lights Country Band at the Trax and Open 4 Business at Sporty’s.

Food and commercial vendors are organized and scattered throughout the epicenter of the Community Center. The same with kids and family activities so a quick visit to Facebook, or albertonmontana.com/railroad_day might keep people from getting lost, but the best bet is to check in with the Railroad Day Information Booth in the Community Center parking. 

Just know that wherever a person wonders, they will find more than they were looking for.