This sign is located on the South end of Clarinda on highway 71. Arthur Field Smith commissioned this as a memorial to the Orphan Train Riders. This is how the sign reads:

"The greatest children's migration in the history of the United States took place during the seventy-five years from 1854-1929. Orphan and impoverished children were transported from the overcrowded eastern cities to the vast midwestern farmlands. A young minister named Charles Loring Brace and the Children's Aid Society of New York City pioneered the "placing out movement" which sought to place deserving, healthy orphans into nurturing farm homes. There they would be welcome and given a good up-bring in a proper moral setting. The Society specified that the children were to be housed, fed, clothed, educated and given religious training. Clarinda and dozens of other Iowa towns shared dramatically in these remarkable events which became known as the "Orphan Trains." Nearly 10,000 children found new homes in Iowa before the Depression and changing laws ended the migration.

Very little is known about the first Society placing out in this area. Willie "The Kid" Moran arrived in Clarinda in March of 1881. The 12 year old was placed with G. A. Miller where he worked on the farm for several years. Willie left the farm to travel in the far west, returning in 1897. Tragically, Willie spent the next seven years here in the State Hospital. His later life is unknown.

Sara Hunt, (1894-1990) an Orphan Train rider to Sidney, IA. in 1904, became the wife of Hal Maxwell and stepmother of Hollywood actress Marilyn Maxwell. She was a Western Union Telegrapher in Clarinda for nineteen years.

An Orphan Train from the Children's Aid Society came to Clarinda on December 15, 1922 with a precious cargo of twelve sleepy children led by Miss Clara Comstock, the Society's Agent for the state of Iowa. The Clarinda Herald reported that at the appointed time the children were taken to the Methodist Church to be introduced to an eager crowd. One little boy, asked why he came said "To find a mamma." Arthur FIELDS "was bundled up tightly to go to home north of Clarinda," to the Worley SMITH home on North 12th Street where he found a new brother Cecil, and was later adopted.

The Colowski brothers were fortunate to find homes. Alexander (1916-1988) was adopted into the Harry Douthit family and was called Alexander Douthit. Walker (1918-1950) was adopted by the Roy Beavers family. He was called Harold R. Beavers, became an Army Captain and was killed in Korea.

The placements of some of the other children were temporary and little is known about them:

Howard Blizzard (6) and Ethel Blizzard (12) went to the Armstrong home near Blanchard.

Byron Stevens to the Schoonover's near Clearfield.

Mary and Anna Brodie to the Hoyt home in Clarinda.

James LeRoy Smith, to the Scroggs home in Clarinda.

Carrie Adams, to Roy Baker's home west of Clarinda.

Isabel and Harry Adams, to the Swanson's home East of Stanton.

In 1987 Mary Ellen Johnson, established The Orphan Train Heritage Society of America, Inc. to gather and preserve the stories of orphan train riders nationwide. The Society is located at: 614 E. Emma Ave. Suite 115 Springdale, AR. 72764-4634, Telephone 501-756-2780.

Presented as a memorial to the memory of these orphan train riders."