An epic train chase is turning 100 — and Buster Keaton fans are celebrating

100 years ago, silent film star Buster Keaton filmed The General in Cottage Grove, Ore. Fans are gathering there to celebrate the making of an epic early film.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/4500x3000!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffd%2Fc1%2F5c65b5e245978b75506309f6d21e%2F2026-08-29-busterkeatonfestival-krossow-7915.jpg' alt='A woman walks her dog near a mural depicting Buster Keaton from his 1926 film, <em>The General,</em> in Cottage Grove, Ore. Fans gathered in the town to celebrate the film's centennial with a conference, a look-alike contest, a 1920s costume party and tours of film locations.'/><p>100 years ago, silent film star Buster Keaton filmed <em>The General</em> in Cottage Grove, Ore. Fans are gathering there to celebrate the making of an epic early film. </p><p>(Image credit: Krista Rossow for NPR)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5921324' />