Smithville, Indiana: Baker's Junction Railroad Museum
Disabled vet Johnny F. Baker struggles to transform his old train station into a museum. Bizarre outdoor displays include hand-lettered signs decrying the crimes of Johnny's neighbors and Smithville's bureaucracy.
- Address:
- 7898 Fairfax Rd, Smithville, IN
- Directions:
- Drive south from Bloomington on Hwy 37 then turn left (east) on Smithville Rd. Drive to Smithville, turn right onto Fairfax Rd, and drive about a mile south.
- Phone:
- 812-824-2158
- Admission:
- Donation.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Baker's Junction Railroad Museum:
It hasn't been easy for Johnny F. Baker, founder of Baker's Junction Railroad Museum.
[10/28/2011] Complete Story...Visitor Tips and News About Baker's Junction Railroad Museum
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I was there 1/20/2023 at 9 am so the place was closed, but I drove through the front and rear driveway. Pretty creepy and amazing. A golden retriever barked at my car, but no one came out. Reminded me of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie. Looks like someone lives in the trailer. I'd like to go back in October for the annual Haunted House. He has a lot of stuff there.
[Dave O, 02/15/2023]Baker's Junction operates a really fun haunted house every October. Everything in the "haunted train" is made from things the family collects from here and there, and instead of screams their scary sound is a hairdryer. And don't forget to ask Mr. Baker about his thumb, which he has for sale in a glass case at the end of the haunted train!
[Mia, 06/20/2011]
Baker's Junction (Railroad Museum) in Smithville, Indiana is a one-of-a-kind place without a doubt. Pictures don't do it justice. It's an interesting "attraction" all year long, but doubles as a haunted house in Oct.
[Amy Schramm, 02/19/2009]Baker's Junction Railroad Museum is the 30+ year project of Johnny F. Baker, a disabled vet and bone cancer survivor who's been in a pitched battle with the local zoning and space planning board. Aside from the two train stations, rail cars and cabooses, the property features a "Time Castle" (containing a time capsule), a haunted house/haunted train, and hand-lettered signs spelling out the crimes of the "Commey Planing Zoin."
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Johnny Baker has worked for decades to transform his property-of-treasures into a museum. He is best known for his severed thumb, which for years he tried to sell (to raise money for the museum) but was last reported to be wearing around his neck on a chain.