By: Stan Jordan
This picture of the people at the depot waiting for the train was given to me by Charles Zuber, Class of 1968, who lives in Florida now.
I have a number of pictures of the depot, but none that shows so many people waiting for the train.
Some of the “old timers” tell me that the people waiting for the train or arriving from somewhere always caused quite a commotion. There wasn’t much other excitement that went on. People would take the train into Fort Wayne, Defiance or Toledo as there were no cars or buses. I would imagine that these people are waiting for the interurban from the east into Fort Wayne. I think both big trains were around 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. You can also see that travelers are also waiting for a ride.
I can only guess it is after 1900 by the electric wire and it is summer time by the leaves on the trees and some ladies don’t have jackets on. Maybe there is a big party somewhere. I think that many at the depot might be unusual.
The railroad came in in 1855 and it hauled a lot of products from the factories until about 1890. The canal was not busy after 1870. That is why there was three sets of track on the rail lines here.
I understand there was 3 or more hotels in town at this time, so the trains were loaded with passengers in and out.
See ya!
