08-2006

Along The Right Of Way

August 2006

M.P. 44.8 - 1st Subdivision - Ow

When the Indianapolis, Delphi, and Chicago Railroad Company. was formed, plans were made to construct a railroad line north to Chicago. In 1874 they contracted with Melvin Halsted of Lowell to grade 20 miles between Lowell and Dyer. Halsted invested about $20,000 of his own money, encouraged other investors, and obtained the right-of-way for the proposed line, as well as helping select and survey the route. Some promoters in the Crown Point area were trying to convince the builders to go through their town in a line almost straight north from Shelby, but Halsted used his salesmanship and his wealth to persuade them to curve the line at the Kankakee Valley town and then head northwest to Lowell, running just a block from his 1850 home. Evidently many business owners agreed with Halsted concerning the advantages of the railroad, for with its coming many new business enterprises began along the line. Sidings soon were constructed to serve mills, lumber yards, coal yards, an implement shop, a bulk oil plant, a factory and a stockyard.

1886, pictured is the local milk train loading at Lowell. The bridge pictured was built over the mill race that provided power to Halsted's Mill.

The second grist mill in Lowell. This mill, built in 1868, west of Main Street near Melvin Halsted's home. It was built near Cedar Creek, which provided power to the mill. All the machinery from the first mill was moved to this mill. When it was built, it was one of the largest buildings in Lake County.

Original Monon Depot in Lowell, circa 1890 with Martha Wilder in the foreground and her husband Fred standing on the far right. They often visited their daughter, Mrs. John Schneider at the Cumberland Lodge north of Schneider. The lodge was one of many that once flourished near the Kankakee River.

During 1880 and 1881, at the time the Monon railroad was under construction in the Town of Lowell, an important commercial building was also erected near the railroad right-of-way. The DuBreuil-Keilman Elevator and Planing Mill came into existence during those years. Located on the west side of the Monon Tracks near the Lowell Depot. The Hardings, Inc. storage building now occupies a part of the site. The original building was 32'-by-60' in size, 70 feet high, and had a capacity of 60,000 bushels. The large smokestack was a clue to its steampowered system. In 1902, a large lumber shed was added to the Keilman-Kimmet firm, which then sold grain, tile, brick, cement, lumber, glass, paints and all kinds of building materials. Shipments were made to Chicago, Chicago Heights, Frankfort, Madison, and many other points in all directions. In the 1920's the Keilman-Kimmet Flour Mill was condemned and torn down in 1927.

The DuBreuil-Keilman Elevator and Planing Mill, dates of photos unknown. Left: Looking south from Commercial Aveune. Right: This view appears to be looking southwest. A good guess was that it was taken from the roof of one of the downtown buildings.

Looking west along Commerical and Washington Street at the Monon, circa 1905.

Lowell depot, circa 1949. This depot that was leveled and burnt during the 1952 Train Wreck. The railroad replaced this depot with a brick structure in 1953 which is still in use by the CSX in 2006. Lowell and the surrounding area have been home to 5 train wrecks over the years.

The original Lowell depot, after the wreck. For more information and photos, visit Lowell Monon Wrecks. For decades Frank Maloy was the depot agent in Lowell. Maloy as served as a Justice of the Peace. William Dooley replaced Maloy. Joe Cassaday followed Dooley and was the agent up to the morning of the 1952 Wreck. It has been said that when Cassaday saw the ashes of the depot that morning, he applied for retirement. Jim Lyons replaced Cassady and was followed by Donald Cripe, the last Monon depot agent. A noted local businessman, Cripe often joked on how his life was changed by the misfortunes of Lowell.

Left: Lowell depot, circa 1952. This photo was taken shortly after the depot was built. Right: Northbound passenger making at stop in Lowell. Based on locomotive and cars paint scheme, early to mid 1950's.

Downtown Lowell, circa 1911. Looking west along Commercial Ave.

Left: Great shot of the downtown from the old standpipe. Right: Looking east along Commercial Avenue, circa 1925.

Lowell in 1960. North side of the street.

Some local sites that has a special place for your Webmaster. Left: This picture, circa 1956-57, shows my Grandfather's business, Hepp's Tavern. The original building dated back to 1880 and was torn down in 1962. Hepp's Tavern/ Pool Hall operated between 1931 and 1962. The construction in the picture was the final relocation of Cedar Creek. Right: Currently known as the Side Track Saloon, my Father built this building in 1963 and operated Kep's Tap until 1967.

Globe Manufacturing Company. Globe has been a part of Lowell for many decades. Originally a manufacturer of roofing products and materials, buy the mid-1960's they were making automobile insullation. This photo, circa 1975, shows the plant after several additions. It also shows the former Monon mainline and sidings that served the plant. Globe leased several boxcars from the Monon to ship products. They also received raw material via rail. Your Webmaster worked at Globe for two summers. The plant is now Riter Automotive Products. All of the sidings have been removed. Everything is recieved and shipped via trucks.

End of an era. September 30, 1967, the last passenger train on the Monon pay its final visit to Lowell, Indiana. For the town, it was a chance to celebrate. The Fire Department, Lowell High School Band and many of the towns people were on hand. This picture and event hold special meaning for your Webmaster. The man with the little girl on his shoulders was my father. Yes, I was there that day too, just out of camera range.

Lowell Today. Great aerial shot of the current Lowell depot, which is still in use by the CSX. Photograph was taken from an aerial tower ladder truck.

The former Monon mainline is still active today. Local freight stops at Lowell in 2004 to re-couple the caboose.

Amtrak, at least for the moment, still uses the former mianline. Here are two shots of the northbound Amtrak at the Commerical Avenue crossing. It almost looks like they are planning to a station stop.

For additional information on the Town Of Lowell and its history, visit Pioneer History, an ongoing history of the area written by Richard Schmal, Town Historian.

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