Depot info Chart

[David Longest]

I am attaching a Monon Depots chart that I have created.  I invite you to respond to the numerable amounts of info.
and sharing your dates and other bits of info. to move me toward a more full resource.  Each of us feel we know abit
about our own locale, but may wish for help learning of the locale of others. 

As this chart gets corrected (please grade of a curve)  and more complete, it may be of real help as time and we pass.



David

[Tim T Swan]

Nice list, David.  This will be handy to have as a reference.  But a quick look-over reveals that you've forgotten the stone depot at Monon, the one destroyed in the infamous 1951 crash.

Also, there was no "limestone" depot at South Hammond.  It and the 1908 freight depot at Fayette Street plus the brick, jointly owned station on Lyman St. were all in downtown Hammond, several miles north of the South Hammond yard (which was around MP 23.5).  Only the last, 1954 stone freighthouse was at South Hammond.

Finally, don't forget about MONON's big brick freighthouse adjacent to Dearborn Station, in operation until the one at South Hammond was opened.  There were also substantial MONON freight houses at both Indianapolis and Louisville that should be listed.

[David Longest]

Bloomington and Bedford are just two that I hoped to receive help with.  The chart is only a beginning and all with an interest may use it.

Tim, I knew you could help there.

Thanks, David

[David Longest]

 Out of 33 downloads and twice that many hits, I would hope others had info to contribute to my/our chart. 
I very much appreciate Tim's info and Ron's response and suggestions from Bob Wheeler.

Thanks, guys!

David

[John Butler]

Here is more info on Bloomington

1st depot- Brick combination depot, served from 1854-1868 when it burned.  It was located on Railroad Street between 4th and 5th.

2nd Depot- Brick combination depot, dates are correct 1868-1911, when it was torn down and replaced.  During its service career it was remodeled from a run-through to a standard side station.  It was also located on railroad street (later renamed Morton) betweeen 4th and 5th

3rd Depot- Limestone Passenger, it came into service in 1912 but construction was started in 1911, it went out of service in 1966 and was torn down.

4th depot- Brick Freight, came into service in 1912, started construction in 1911, and went out in 1966, torn down same year.  It was not where the old turntable was, but was across the tracks from new passenger depot and fronted on 5th street.

5th depot- All details correct, last passenger service in 1967 of course.

[David Longest]

Thanks, John,

I knew you had a good handle on that area.  I am continuously updating my chart, but need help from all locales whereby
I have a need for correction or additions of info.  I have gleaned the Greasbt CD, Tour Books, and annual reports.  I am looking forward to the archives coming south when Cecil's depot is complete.   My new knee can make the drive to Salem.
Today is my 11th anniversary of my brainstem stroke.  Thank the Lord for good health.

[David Longest]

Bedford MP 245.8   Freight    1892-   Ref. CD
Bedford   Passenger    1893-   Ref. CD
Bedford   Freight two srory-wood   1902-1976   Torn down 60s or 76
Bedford   Passenger-stone   1902-   Tour book
Bedford   Passenger-stone   1926-current   â€œJ” St., Annual Report cd

Tim, others, please peruse this Bedford entries in the chart; let me know of errors & correction.

Thanks David

[Ron Marquardt]

David, when you have information about a building that was replaced because it burned, you might want to include that too.  I believe the last wooden Bedford depot burned and that was whyit was replaced with the limestone one.  I think the freight house across the tracks burned the same time the depot did, but it was replaced with another wooden one.  / Ron

[Jim Davis]

David,

There was a box car depot at South Raub. Not sure for how long, but some documents at the WHQ show one there.

JD

[John Butler]

 I could even tell you where the temporary depots were in Bloomington if anyone is interested.

[Ron Marquardt]

We're interested John.  Tell us about them  / Ron

[John Butler]

When the original Bloomington depot burned on May 2, 1868 the railroad and town were caught off guard, but within days an interim platform was built at 6th and railroad streets (later called Morton).  The interim ticket office was in the northern end of Leffler and Rice's Mill, which was adjacent to the tracks at 6th street.  These interim facilities served thrughout the summer of 1868.  It was not until August that Richard A. Fulk and Company were hired to replace the depot-- I have no idea why they waited so long.  The new depot (#2) was completed in November of 1868.

Unlike the situation after the first depot, the 2nd to 3rd/4th depots were a planned replacement and the railroad had time to arrange the interim facility.  Originally it was hoped to use the Gentry Hotel as a temporary ticket office and waiting room but that was contingent on the town voting to be "dry," when the town voted "wet," the railroad could no longer use the space.  When the 2nd depot was closed in July 1911 (right after commencement rush) the Monon instead brought an old coach and boxcar to Bloomington and installed them alongside the tracks on Kirkwood (5th Street).  These served for quite some time.  The new freight depot opened November 16, 1911, the new passenger depot openend May 23, 1912.   

[John Butler]

I should note that the date I gave on the freight depot is incorrect, I wrote it was finished in 1912, it was actually opened in Novemeber 1911.  I was two months off.  My apologies.

[David Longest]

John, 
Two months off; not that critical.  Thanks for your research and precision in your dates. 

We need to consider another Monon trek through the south end sometime.  I have a new right knee and should be up to it by late winter before
the leaves emerge.  Possibly north of Bloom'ton.

Thanks,

David

[John Butler]

That would be a nice trip.  We could easily do McDoel to Gosport.  Not only could we follow the line through Monroe County, but thanks to Ron we could visit a real neat site between Bloomington and Elletsville that preserves the history of a Monon accident.