About two years ago … the Spencers weeded out some elements of their [backyard miniature] railroad, repainted the pint-sized buildings, and created 41 dioramas that replicated small town life in their former home of Oakley, Kan. Jim grew up in Oakley, where the population hovered at about 2,500 residents. Hints of the town’s character in the 1950s are scattered throughout their Oakley Western Railroad. Just like many of Oakley’s businesses that were owned and/or operated by the men who returned home after World War II, many of the couple’s buildings bear the names of the proprietors. There’s the Kauffman Hotel, which was the first railroad hotel in Oakley, and Jim’s father’s law offices on the top floor of the original Farmers State Bank. There’s also a Stetz’s Five and Dime store and Eddie’s Bakery.
Source: Ramona Sentinel.
