The Idea of the Freedom Train was proposed on April of 1946. Then-U.S. Attorney General Tom C.
Clark believed that Americans were taking the principles of liberty for granted in the post-war years.
So, to advocate patriotism, on February of 1947, the Heritage Foundation introduced “The Freedom Train.” The special rattler was loaded with precious documents highlighting American History.
The train began its tour in September of the same year and was scheduled to visit 300 communities throughout the United States. Harlingen was one those cities on the schedule.
You would think that people were expecting the arrival of a rock star as 2,000 gathered at the Missouri Pacific tracks in Harlingen to wait its arrival.
It was 8:30 a.m. when the train arrived and sat on the tracks opened to the public from 10:00 a.m. ‘til 10:00 p.m. Despite chilly conditions, people patiently waited up to five hours to board the train. Cars from throughout the Valley were seen making their way to Harlingen. By the time the Freedom Train closed its doors, it was estimated that it attracted 10,000 visitors.
Mayor R.J. Kroeger of Harlingen, a special party of Valley civic leaders, and representatives of the press and radio were the first to see the precious cargo.
A glimpse of documents on board…The cargo included such treasures as the Declaration of Independence, the surrender papers of the Japanese at Tokyo Bay, ending WW II; original manuscript of the Star-Spangled Banner; President George Washington’s Farewell Speech; Lincoln’s Draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Gettysburg Address. Other documents aboard comprised of: A letter from Christopher Columbus on the discovery of America, the Mayflower compact, Thomas Jefferson’s statement of colonist’s rights, Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” Paul Revere’s commission as official messenger and many more.
Formal welcoming ceremonies were held in connection with the arrival of the train - with two Valley radio stations broadcasting the services to the rest of the Valley.
The Freedom Train arrived on a Sunday, and the timing was perfect as it happened with the Re-
Dedication Week Observance coming to an end. The arrival of the train climaxed a week of re-dedication programs in various Valley cities.
The previous day, Harlingen had celebrated with a Veteran’s Day Parade, that included: The Boys Scouts, school children, Harlingen High School Band, Marine Reserves, and the U.S. Band and Color Guard from Corpus Christi Naval Station. It was a fitting tribute to all who served.
The Valley was the first region that attempted an area participation, and the results ere overwhelming successful.
The Freedom Train attracted national media and was even given a glowing report by Joe Palooka and Captain Marvel. Two of the most popular comic books of the era dedicated one of its covers encouraging its young readers to visit the Freedom Train. Joe Palooka had 50,000,000 readers daily.
The victory of WW II evoked a charmed era that is long gone, but not forgotten.
(Ed.'s Note: It’s important to note that while the Jim Crow Laws were still in effect. In response, the special train, as it traveled throughout the country, did not observe those laws. It stopped at cities where blacks and whites were allowed to mingle at the same time. The train skipped their planned visits to states that refused such accommodations amid much controversy.)