Built in 1912 by the American Locomotive Company of Schenectady, N.Y., Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad locomotive #457 cost $18,456.03 and served for 38 years in freight, passenger, and switching service throughout Minnesota and Iowa. Retired by the M&StL in 1950, it was sold to the American Crystal Sugar Company in Mason City, IA, which retired it in 1959 and gave it to the children of Mason City. With sponsorship from the Mason City Noon Rotary Club and help from The Milwaukee R.R., it was moved to East Park and, after a contest won by 8-year-old Marcia Combs, was named the Rotary Cannonball. From 1959 to 1964, retired Great Western R.R. switchman Leo T. Danehy served as a dedicated attendant and educator for the Rotary Cannonball. In the years that followed, rust, vandalism, and neglect damaged the engine, but in 2003 Louis "Gene" Green began work and launched a volunteer campaign to restore and preserve it. The restored Rotary Cannonball was dedicated in East Park in 2005, a campaign began to provide a shelter, and weekend open hours started with volunteer help. In 2006 the first annual Cannonball Day was held on the 4th Saturday of June in East Park to showcase the engine and raise maintenance funds. In 2007 the train shed shelter and brick platform were dedicated and plans began for an interpretive stand, which was completed in 2008. The Friends of the 457 and the Mason City Parks Department continue caring for this display as part of Mason City's heritage.