Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1916 — PREPARING FOR NEW DEPOT [ARTICLE]

PREPARING FOR NEW DEPOT

Monon News Gives Interesting History of Old Structure at That Place. The new freight depot, four blocks west of the old one is now in use, and the time-honored structure across the track from the passenger depot is no longer a scene of commercial activity. The move was made Saturday, May 20, when Agent J. P. Gwin received orders from the company to make his change. Two box cars were used to transfer the furniture, books, papers and freight, and the working force was soon pursuing the usual routine of business, C. F. Wren, Jess York and C. F. Moshier at their desks in the new building and the same platform torce outside. The 600-foot transfer platform will be formally opened for business early in June, simultaneously with one of like capacity at McDoel. This will mean a platform force here of probably 25 men and a vast improvement in handling freight over the present method. The long platform will be under shelter and denotes an important factor in the promotion of freight traffic at this point. The old depot and side tracks will soon disappear and early in June work will begin on the new passenger station on the site of the present one, and a transformation scene of bewildering change for the >btter will soon take place in that vicinity. The present incumbent, J. P. Gwin, was installed as agent at Bradford, Ind., now Monon, June 1, 187 7. The depot at that time was located on the east side of the road north of Fourth street, and just south of the Brookie elevator. This building was used and called a depot but was nothing more than an old, worn out, dilapidated implement building or store room.

In the summer of 1878 the Narrow Gauge railroad was completed between Monon and Rensselaer and as all the- railroad business centered at the junction of the two roads the old depot was abandoned and the new edifice located at the junction, which depot consisted of an old worn out box car with a partition through the center and a couple of put in and a hole cut through the roof for the stove pipe. In the fall of 4879 the present freight house was built, consisting at that time of one passenger room, ticket and telegraph office combined and a freight room. Now after 37 years of sheltering the railroad employes and the patrons of the road of passengers and recipients of shipments of freight this old structurg, which has served its purpose well, is deserted on account of the ravages Of time and the demand for other and better locations for the accommodation of the public and better efficiency for the company. The new freight depot is located near the west end ’of Fourth street. In the summer of 1882 the present passenger station was erected and used for passenger ticket office and telegraph office. In the winter of 1892 the second story was added for the accommodation of the dispatchers, who were located here at that time, since removed to Lafay-

ette. The second story now being used by the operators and the yard office. This building, too, has answered its purpose and will soon be skidded out of the way to make room for a new stone depot, which will be up-to-date and will have all modern improvements. After the completion of the new passenger station, the present passenger depot will be razed to the ground.-—Monon News.