These days, railroad station masters rarely find themselves in the spotlight of either the public or the media. The only clear exception to this today might be a corruption scandal. However, at the beginning of the 20th century, things were quite different.
Thanks to the wonderful 1913 book *Jubilee Historical and Artistic Publication in Commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of the Reign of the Romanov Dynasty*, which featured the very best of the best, we will learn that it was in our beloved city that the country’s most popular railroad stationmaster lived and worked.
Ivan Osipovich Tustanovsky, a hereditary nobleman, stationmaster at “Kharkiv” station, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Poor of the Dmitrievsky Parish (Kharkiv), and a recipient of numerous Russian orders—up to and including the Order of St. Stanislaus, 2nd Class—as well as foreign orders. He was born in 1865 in St. Petersburg and received his education at the Petrovsky Gymnasium. In 1885, Ivan Osipovich entered the service of the Kursk-Kharkiv-Azov Railway, and in 1908, thanks to his excellent and diligent service, he was appointed to the position he currently holds. Ivan Osipovich is a recipient of the Cross of Leopold with two stars and the Gold Badge of the Red Cross, and is considered the most popular stationmaster on the Russian railways.
The newspapers of that time also had many positive things to say about Ivan Osipovich’s work as stationmaster of the “Kharkiv-Passenger” station.
Although the complete list of his awards is unknown, it should be noted that the Red Cross Gold Medal was awarded to:
- For services rendered to the cause of humanitarianism on behalf of the Red Cross Society during times of war and in the wake of public disasters;
- For long-standing and valuable service to the Society during peacetime;
- For a substantial donation to the Red Cross, but not less than 5,000 rubles.
From the book by S. B. Patrikeev and A. D. Boynovich, *Badges of the Russian Empire*, Volume 1.
Here was a man—surprisingly energetic and positive—who lived right here in our city, walked along the beautiful streets just like we do, and tried to make life better for others.
Let’s remember him! After all, Ivan Osipovich Tustanovsky wasn’t just the most popular stationmaster in the entire former empire for no reason…
- About the military pilot school and the airfield in Kharkiv… - 04.11.2020
- Nikanor Savich—A Political Career by Mistake - 13.07.2020
- And once again, about the Cavalry Guards… - 21.01.2020