Some passions are born at any early age. Growing up in Port William, across the alley from the old “Grasshopper” rail bed, sparked a passion in Mike Mason that has lasted a lifetime.

An historian is one who compiles a history — for more than 40 years, Mike has been an historian of the Grasshopper Railroad. His dream of preserving and sharing this history has come true in the publication of “The Story of Waynesville, Port William and Jeffersonville Railroad: The Grasshopper Railroad From Farmers to Ford.”

Mason, along with co-author Roger Starnes, has published a 182-page history of the Grasshopper Railroad. This book takes the railroad from its farmer-funded inception, through its many bankruptcies, Henry Ford’s ownership and its final demise.

Mason and Starnes will have a book signing at the Clinton County History Center 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 22. “The Grasshopper Railroad from Farmers to Ford” sells for $20.

The Clinton County History Center, located at 149 E. Locust St. in Wilmington, has these books available.