| Early 1960’s |
SSMT started by four members in Freeport. First layout is 18x16 and is constructed in the attic of
one of the members. |
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| 1965 |
SSMT moves layout to the basement of the Reed Park Pavilion. Membership total grows to 10. |
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| 1966 |
Construction of a second layout is started. Layout size grows to 22x22. |
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| 1967 |
SSMT holds their first open house at the Reed Park Pavilion. |
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| 1979 |
SSMT is informed that they must move their layout from the basement of the pavilion to make room for offices. |
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| Late 1979 |
SSMT stores the layout and begins construction of a portable modular layout. |
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| 1982 |
Freeport Art Museum obtains school building and SSMT rents the second floor to build a permanent layout. |
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| 1985 |
SSMT displays the portable layout at the NMRA 50th Anniversary convention in Milwaukee. |
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| 1985 |
Rent at the art museum goes up and club dismantles layout. |
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| 1986 |
Chicago Central decides to move crew changes out of Freeport. Boarding house is up for sale and
SSMT asks to purchase the building. |
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| 1987-1988 |
Chicago Central and SSMT agree on purchase of the building. |
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| 1989 |
Members of SSMT start to work on building a large permanent layout, garage, meeting room and library. |
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| Present |
Fully operational HO scale layout. Original portable layout still used for shows around the area. |
