Crossroads

[BeeKool]

Every 4th of July the town historical places are open for the public.
Two places that I visit are the Mill Street Tower and the old Railroad Depot.
They are well maintained and in great condition. Left just as they were the last day of their operating.

This is a scene from the upper level of Mill Street Tower which is an old switch station.
These two line are truly a crossroads (like many a Midwestern town.)
One track was original a (1866) Rock Island Line and connected Minneaopolis to Corpus Christi
The other line was originally (1886) an Illinois Central connecting Chicago to North Platte

 

[Richard Cranium]

When you went down to the crossroads, did you try to flag a ride?

 

[Car Nut]

That’s cool, love the history.

 

[BeeKool]

When the tower was built in 1903
It was more like an H.
There was a second ( 1887)Rock Island Line behind where I was standing. (Been abondoned since 1980.
If you were to follow that line 6 miles you would end up on some property that I rent.
The landlord still has the original deed between his great grandfather and the Rock Island.
There are many towns in Iowa that owe their very existence to the Rock Island.
There is also a restored caboose sitting on property.

Up in the Cupola

This Caboose was one of the last ever made (1972) and is pretty sweet on the inside. Leather cots, nice seats, bathroom, fuel oil stove, Icebox, electricity and 100 gallon water tank.
How much fun it would be to fill the Iceox with Ice and Beer. Bring a grill along and just watch the countryside just go by as steady beat of the rails sings it's lullaby.