ROCHELLE – The Flagg Township Museum and the Ken Wise Railroad park are teaming up for a night of campfire stories, s’mores and a history of the hobos that used to travel through Rochelle.
The event, which has been named “Hobo Travels” in Rochelle will take place Saturday, Oct. 26, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Ken Wise Rail Fan Park. The night will include a campfire in the fire pit, s’mores kits available for $1, and stories of hobo’s journeys and how they would use symbols to communicate with the next group passing through.
“We will be telling stories about hobos and the many different signs they would use for communication by writing them in chalk or dirt on fence posts for the next hobos coming through the area,” said Flagg Township Museum director Jan Devore.
Rochelle used to be home to a large number of hobos since it was such an easy point for them to hop on and off the trains.
The event will also go over what life was like for many of the hobos and why many of them were hobos in the first place. While hobos a lot of times get a little bit of a negative persona, a lot of them did not have a choice.

“During the depression, many of the hobos were people who had been laid off and were looking for work and for others is was simply the quickest and cheapest way to get around at the time,” explained Devore.
This event is free to anyone who would like to participate and attendees are encouraged to bring a flashlight.
This event is meant to be both fun and informational, while also bringing awareness to community organizations.  
“The main goal for us is to do something in the community and bring awareness to the museum, while also partnering with the city and the rail park,” explained Devore.