NOTC unveils 29th Orphan Train Rider statue

The National Orphan Train Complex unveiled its 29th Orphan Train Rider statue honoring Michael and Walter Nolan in the Central National Bank pocket park on Friday.
Gary Nolan, Michael's son and Walter's nephew, unveiled the statue along with his wife Ann Farrier.
Michael and Walter were born in New York City to Nellie Nolan, an unwed teenage Irish girl. They lived together in the New York Foundling Hospital.
Nellie worked in the hospital helping to care for hundreds of orphans who lived there along with her two sons. She left the hospital in 1915 never to be heard from again.
After being “indentured” for the first time to Patrick and Mary Bolton in December 8, 2015, Michael and Walter were returned to custody of the Foundling Hospital for unspecified reason.
Michael, at age 6, and Walter, at age 8, boarded the train at Grand Central Station on November 28, 1916, and arrived in Maple Lake, Minn., two and a half days later.
Both boys were “indentured” for a second time to Joseph and Helen Cavanaugh and then removed one year later for severe physical abuse. On March 13, 1918, they were “indentured” for the third time to Henry and Catherine Baumgartner in Osseo, Minn., where they lived for the remainder of their childhood years.
Michael moved to Richmond, California in 1942 to work at the Kaiser Industries ship yard building Liberty Ships during World War II. Walter enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 18, 1942. After the war, he spent the remainder of his life in Minnesota.
In September 1943, Michael married Helen Kolasa, also an orphan. They relocated to San Jose , Calif., and had two children, Lani and Gary.
Michael and Helen retired to the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii in 1986. They lived the remainder of their lives there.