In the summer of 1976, America was marking its 200th birthday, and one of the most memorable parts of the celebration was the Bicentennial Train. The Train actually started its journey across America in April, 1975. By November, it had reached Sacramento, CA.

I know, now, that it was officially called the American Freedom Train, but everyone I knew just called it the Bicentennial Train.

We lived in a small town near Sacramento at the time. My dad had been out of the Army for a couple of years. I was eight years old. The whole family went, which was Dad, Mom, my little brother (2 1/2 years younger), and me.

Old Sacramento much as it looked when our family visited in 1975. Wooden sidewalks, brick buildings, and that unmistakable Gold Rush atmosphere.

The train was parked in Old Sacramento, right along the river. My memory failed me on when exactly the Train was in Sacramento. So I did some google searching and discovered the Train was in Sacramento in November, 1975. I do remember that we stood in line for what felt like forever to an eight-year-old kid and was likely at least two hours, maybe longer. But we waited with everybody else. It was a wonder that we all wanted to see.

The Bicentennial Train in 1976. We stood in line for what felt like hours, but it was worth it. This is very close to what we saw.

When we finally got inside, it was like stepping into another world. The cars had that old-time train feel: dark wood paneling and seats with heavy felt-covered cushions. Every car was a little museum. One after another, they told the story of 200 years of America: the founding and the Revolution, the Civil War, wagon trains heading west, the building of the transcontinental railroad, and America’s wars, the Depression, much more.

I remember how quiet everyone was as they walked through. Moms and dads pointed things out to their kids in hushed voices. Teenagers moved in little groups, whispering to each other. There was a real sense of reverence in those cars.

After we finished walking through the train, we wandered into Old Sacramento itself. It had been reconstructed to look like it did in the 1850s, with wooden sidewalks, old brick buildings, and the most wonderful part: Old time candy stores. We got to go in the old candy store and mom and dad let my brother and I each fill a bag with candy. It felt like stepping back in time.

That whole day stuck with me. History wasn’t just something in books anymore. It was something you could walk through on an afternoon with your family.

The Bicentennial Train rolling across America in 1975 and 1976. For a kid from a small town near Sacramento, it felt like history itself had come to visit.

Looking back fifty years later, I’m grateful my parents took us. I’m glad I got to stand in that long line, walk through those quiet train cars, get some old school candy, and wander through Old Sacramento. I believe that was one of the pivotal days creating my deep and abiding love of America.

Soon after that, I started reading anything I could find at the library about the American Revolution and the Founders. One of the books I vividly remember was The Story of the Bonhomme Richard.

Some memories stay with you for a reason.

#America250 #America200 #Bicentennial Train

Further Reading
The Story of the 1976 Freedom Train

America 250: The Bicentennial Train of 1976