A view of the Pan Handle (PRR) station at 9th and Fletcher in Anderson. If you look at the large picture, you will note that there are no automobiles in the picture, only horse drawn conveyances and bicycles. On the right of the station are milk cans and on the far left, you can see mail and/or baggage being loaded. Postcard Photo - Marvin Crim Collection
That appears to be an odd roof design, though it could the graininess of the film and photo angle. Is that a tower on the trackside middle of the building?
Judging by the view here (https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1090/5155807072_0c96bf90c0.jpg) it almost looks like a round turret. Was there some sort of bay window for an agent or operator on the ground floor at platform level? Also, there appears to be a second story window facing the tracks and train order signal.
That is one interesting building. I wonder if that was the original plan, or how much was added on in later years.
There were interlocking towers in Anderson, IN at multiple crossings of Big Four lines, perhaps as many as four -- Delco Junction, Gridley, Taft and Dow. Delco was big, with a 56 lever electro-mechanical plant (40 Mech/16 Electric). Gosh these are beautiful pictures -- thanks Roger.
I have always been interested in the elaborate architecture of railroad stations built between 1880 and 1920, even in smaller communities. Railroad owners of that era obviously were much more focused on marketing an elegant image to their riding and shipping customers than today.
I agree that is an interesting building. Brings back memories of childhood. Our local depot was not nearly as elaborate, but those baggage wagons sure trigger the memory.
Is the Gospel Trumpet Company still producing trumpets? Perhaps they now have expanded to include cornets and trombones.....
The Gospel Trumpet Company produced religious books. By the time the photo was taken it had or will soon move to an area of town called Park Place. As to the station building, this was the original plan. Yes, I have photos of Dow and Delco Towers. In addition to Gridley and KY.
In the history of the station, The first PRR station was at 5th and Main Streets in Anderson. As traffic became more and more, the building at 5th and Main was turned into a freight station and a new passenger station was built at 9th and Fletcher. That station lasted 60 or 70 years and was closed and sold and the freight station at 5th and Main was redone as a passenger and freight station. 9th and Fletcher was turned into a bar that had beautiful large photos of train scenes all along the walls. However. people didn't want to drive uphill to get there in the winter. The bar was closed after a couple of years or so. No lights. No water. No gas. The building suddenly burned in the middle of the night. It was all lost including the beautiful photos.
Here is a photo I found taken about 1887-1900 showing a Livery Stable where the Grain and Coal dealers would be later. This is between the depot and St. Mary church. Also. there is no second track where there will be one later. This is probably shortly after the station was new.
And this one just came to me from Mike Hayes. He sez: "Here is a different picture of Anderson PRR depot with more action. I bought this off Ebay from a guy in Australia. Photographer unknown. It's approximately 1910 to 1915." Mike Hayes Collection
Wonderful photo, full of social interest. I assume this is a morning commuter heading to Indianapolis. What I find interesting is that the men all appear to be wearing suits and hats. Society certainly has changed in 100 years, from formal dress on public transportation to ultra-casual in private cars.
This has turned into a very interesting historical series about that depot. It is quite amazing what can turn up on this internet when people get interested and contribute to an already very good series of posts. Looks like there were at least a few railfans back in the day. Then again, the railroad local station was often the center of entertainment in a community in days before movies, TV, internet, facebook, etc.
Except this train was not going to Indy. It was headed to Richmond and Cincinnati. The Big Four station was the station to Indy. This was Chicago - Cincinnati.
Except this train was not going to Indy. It was headed to Richmond and Cincinnati. The Big Four station was the station to Indy. This was Chicago - Cincinnati. Oh Well, sometimes You get the Bear, sometimes the Bear gets You....
This is the PRR Freight House at 5th and Main (just north of the intersection). It is listed as being 1910. The building is long gone, but there are still tracks showing through the pavement. Across the tracks to the left, was an ice house. This was very common practice then for filling ice cars (refrigerated cars) to prevent perishables from spoiling. 1910 Postcard Photo - Ron Buser Collection
