Foto Friday – Christmas Railway Garden Meijer Gardens 2010
Did you ever have the thrill of constructing a train set with a model village
to run your track through? I have visited a few but never had the fun of
constructing my own. Elves have made an awesome model railway village
in the Meijer Garden Conservatory that runs past quite a few West Michigan
landmark buildings. The model train runs through the Victorian
Conservatory and the “Special Exhibit” Rooms. The model Railway Garden
village is constructed of only natural materials. It is decked out in African
Violets, orchids from the Gardens large collection, numerous ground covers,
small fir trees, tree bark, rocks and moss to give a green and magical feel
to the model railway village.
See if you can recognize the buildings before you scroll down to read
the description.
This is the iconic Fountain Street Church famous for liberal speakers and
bringing the outside world to West Michigan since 1924.
The Covered Wooden Bridge in Ada Michigan is represented here.
This odd looking building is the Steam Power Plant on Fulton Street in
downtown Grand Rapids. This still functions, supplying steam power to many
downtown buildings.
The Big Red Lighthouse in Holland Michigan.
Gothic style Church – my guess is Immanuel Lutheran on Michigan Avenue hill?
[There are over 1200 churches in Grand Rapids, so help me out if you know]
The Fallasburg Covered Bridge over the Flat River in Lowell Michigan.
An arts & Crafts Style Grand Rapids Michigan home, typical of many homes
built here in Grand Rapids in the early 20th century.
We hope you enjoyed the brief tour through the Christmas Railway Garden
Village at Meijer Gardens this year. It will be on display until Jan. 9th, 2011.
In addition, horse drawn carriage rides, carolers, 40 theme Christmas trees,
and other holiday specials will be happening till the end of this year.
There will also be extended holiday hours on December 21, 22, 23,
27, 28, 29 and 30. The entire facility will be open until 9 pm.
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,
the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in
West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing
metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical
research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and
entertainment of all kinds.
We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
The Church in question is St. James Roman Catholic Church on Bridge Street, NW. I was an altar boy there and am now a Carmelite Friar and Priest serving at St. Agnes Parish in Phoenix AZ. Thanks, I enjoyed your photos.
Thanks for sharing this information and your memories of Grand Rapids.