Category: Depot & Train Museums

Where DOES one put a depot? Written by Karen Kulinski

When last we were together, it was the late 1970’s.  A small band of Griffith townsfolk had decided to save the Grand Trunk Depot from demolition, the last of three train stations that once stood near the Broad Street railroad crossing.

One of the first things they did was ask other town organizations to join them. Two major ones, Griffith Community Spirit and the Griffith Junior Woman’s Club, heeded the call.

They also approached the Town Board for help, and Trustee Merle Colby became the man on point.

Of major concern to the group was raising the funds to move the Depot, and the group approached local business for contributions or for in-kind items or services.

But equally concerning was, if the group was able to save the Depot, where would they put it?

Martha Gatlin recalled, “We felt it was important to keep the Depot visible to drivers who were stopped for one of the many trains that came through Griffith on the then-eleven tracks. And to keep the building close to the town’s operational rail lines.”

Many years later, this decision ended up being a major factor in the Society’s favor when we applied for the Depot to be put on the National Register Of Historic Places and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures.

But finding such a site back then wasn’t easy for the group. Finally, Howard Anderson discovered a small patch of vacant land on the corner of Avenue A and Broad Street.

Further investigation at the courthouse revealed no one had a claim on the land, nor did anyone have a deed to it.

 “We immediately claimed it!” Martha stated, “And the stage was set to move the Depot onto it.”

Some years later, it was discovered that the property was once part of a street named Travis Avenue. For some unknown reason, the street ended up going in a different direction, leaving the open space behind. The street also ended up with a different name — Avenue A.

Whatever the reason for this happening, it sure was a bit of serendipity working for us early on.

In January, 1980, the last remaining Griffith depot was safely moved to that empty spot of land right next to the railroad tracks.

The original use for the Depot was as a storage place for Community Spirit’s Christmas decorations. Before long, a more noble use for the Depot would be decided on.

And so would begin a new history for that heretofore unwanted Depot and the abandoned patch of land.

Also part of the group dedicated to saving the Depot but not mentioned in this article were Kathy Anderson, Donna Gonzalez and Ray Anderson (no relation to Kathy.)

Read more 👉
Society Sagas: https://ghsinc.org/category/society-saga/
Tales of the Tower: https://ghsinc.org/category/the-tower/
Tales of the Town: https://ghsinc.org/category/tales-of-the-town/
History Notes: https://ghsinc.org/category/history-notes/