Ben Castillo

Boxcar Bennie Ben Castillo

A LIFE JOURNEY CAN BE FASCINATING. BOXCAR BENNIE'S JOURNEY BEGAN IN A HOT, BARREN LAREDO, TEXAS BARRIO NAMED EL RINCÓN DEL DIABLO.




It led him to Sterling Illinois' Silver City boxcar settlement as a youngster where he picked up the nickname Boxcar Bennie, The boxcar

exteriors in the settlement were painted silver so it was humorously referred to as Silver City. Boxcar Bennie and his family lived there for six and a half years shortly after World War II.




Thrust into a total new environment and culture, Boxcar Bennie quickly learned early in life that one must learn to improvise, cope and fend to overcome obstacles. Their new home, without indoor plumbing, heating or air conditioning was unique in many ways. Boxcar

Bennie, his father, mother and three siblings adapted to meager living conditions and approached their lot in life as an adventure.




It was in Silver City that their ties as a family were tested, along with their faith in God and others. Here, Boxcar Bennie discovered, were

many others on similar journeys to better their lives.




He invites you to come along on his exciting journey. Enjoy the landscape along the banks of the Rock River; fertile corn fields, fiery steel

mill furnaces and heaps of winter snow. The lessons Boxcar Bennie shares about humanity and the inner-drive that causes even the poorest to succeed, will inspire you and perhaps cause you to stop and appreciate your lot in life.