Hesston Steam Museum

The Hesston Steam Museum, operated by the LaPorte County Historical Steam Society on 155 acres in northern Indiana, is one of the most remarkable living history destinations in the Midwest — home to four different gauge railroads operating on three distinct routes, all powered by authentic historic steam locomotives. Founded in 1957 and expanded with the generous support of printing heir Elliott Donnelley in the 1960s, the museum offers rides on a 2-foot narrow gauge, a 3-foot narrow gauge, and a standard gauge railroad, winding through scenic woodlands and past working demonstrations of vintage farm machinery, a sawmill, and an electric power plant. The museum operates on select weekends from Memorial Day through October, with its signature Labor Day Steam & Power Show bringing all locomotives to full steam simultaneously. A beloved 1930s-era soda fountain serves refreshments on the grounds.