The Orphan Trains is brought to you by the Ute Pass Historical Society
They were children – young, abandoned, or living in the streets. In 1853, a young
minister named Charles Brace founded the Children’s Aid Society to rescue these
homeless waifs from their plight and find new homes for them. At the time,
child labor was not uncommon. While Minister Brace saw the children as victims
of unacceptable living conditions, he also believed that “honest work” was part
of the solution.
And so began the historic migration of thousands of youngsters on westbound trains.
Some children were welcomed as farm labor, others as new family members.
This exhibit features the history of the orphan trains, stories of two local train riders,
and the legacy of the movement.
The Orphan Trains exhibit will be on display through February at the Woodland Park
Public Library on the second floor during regular business hours.
