The relocation of the former Grand Trunk railroad train depot has attracted not only interested residents of Valparaiso, but historians and media outlets nationwide.
Every day this week, onlookers watched as the train snailed along, first from its longtime Bush Street location, across the tracks, then on Wednesday as it inched closer and closer to its final destination at the Porter County Career and Technical Center, where it will eventually be utilized as a classroom for Porter County technical students.
“This sort of thing doesn’t happen too often - especially in Valpo,” said Linda Brannon, a 10-year Valparaiso resident who has been at the location every day this week to witness a bit of local history. “It’s awesome that the community got together to save it.”
By the end of the day Wednesday, the depot was expected to make it to the parking lot west of Franklin Street.
“It’s amazing how they are doing it,” Brannon added. “While the kids will eventually be learning in the building, I’m learning a lot during this move because I never knew you could take a 102-year-old building and relocate just like this.”
The process began three years ago when the Canadian National Railroad submitted an application to demolish the depot. That, according to Building Trades board member Steve Ingram, struck a nerve with citizens and officials who had hoped to save the structure all along.
“That got it started and from then on the effort has just increased more and more,” Ingram said.
“Several ideas were floated, but one was from Councilman Jan Dick, who knew that my school was at capacity and he thought we might be able to use the space, which we do need,” said Jon Groth, principal/director of the PCCTC.
Two corporate donors, Task Force Tips and Urschel Laboratories, Inc., stepped up to fund the move in its entirety, Groth said.
“They started a matching gift fund that encouraged community members to also contribute,” he said. “We now have raised about $288,000 with an additional large contribution from Valparaiso Community Schools and over 40 private citizen contributions.”
Wednesday was a perfect day to come out and watch the third day of the move. Some on hand didn’t even know this was happening but stopped to watch something unique take place in their hometown.
Others, like lifelong Valpo resident Pat Sears, have personalized memories. Sears is the granddaughter of the original owners of Inman’s Bowling Alley, which stood for years nearby the historic depot.
“Growing up, whenever we would take pictures near the bowling alley, the depot would always be in the background. It is going to take some getting used to to see it in a new place,” Sears said. “I grew up with it and would always stand on the corner and watch trains go by as a kid.”
Sears was witnessing the move live on Wednesday with her friend, Pat Annen, another longtime Valpo resident.
“I watch PBS all the time, so this is just the kind of thing that interests me,” she said. “I’m glad they didn’t end up tearing it down.”
After seeing the coverage of the move covered not only by local media, but picked up by ABC Chicago, the Greenfield Daily Reporter and Greenwichtime.com, the PCCTC’s Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) club decided to raise money by selling chips, hot dogs and sodas - perfect for a day like Wednesday that saw temperatures in the mid 70s and blue skies.
“We are doing pretty well so far and hope more people come by after lunchtime,” said Suzanne Edwards, teacher of the PCCTC’s Health Occupations class.
“It’s so exciting for us to have more classroom space for students to learn and just to see how we use different school sets to make this happen is amazing,” Edwards said. “People are coming everyday to watch the progress. We have received a lot of donations and community involvement. People take pride in old train depots and if we can save one that is a great thing.”
Count Ingram as one who is not surprised the unique way to preserve history has received national attention.
“There’s a big push to preserve our history and railroaders are aware of the past,” he said, adding that he is pleased that the new location is “just a couple blocks” from where it sat for so long and that the original feel of the building will be kept in tact despite its conversion to modern use.
On Monday. the first portion of the move was captured from an aerial view by Air One Photography, which specializes in documenting landscape changes in Valparaiso.
“In my business of aerial photography, I not only see a lot of changes in the city from the ground but also in the air,” said Brad Cavanaugh, president of Air One Photography. “Valparaiso always has a lot of development going on and it really would be a shame if the younger kids weren’t able to enjoy seeing the history of the city they grew up in through photos.”
Groth said more funds need to be raised for the restoration of the building, which may take a couple of years. But even before the structure becomes a classroom for a variety of PCCTC classes, learning experiences will be taken fully advantage of through every step of the process.
“We hope to work next year on landscaping around the building and maybe bringing some community groups in to do some of the interior or exterior rehabilitation,” Groth said. “The following year, our Building Trades students will take on the restoration as a student project.”
It’s unclear when the historic depot will make its final stop as its new home on the PCCTC campus - but it is likely at least a couple weeks away. But until then, the community can take great pride in witnessing history on the move.
”It’s going at a snails pace, as you would expect - but still interesting to see it happen live,” Brannon said. “It’s very interesting to see the construction guys treat it like glass. They are making sure no mistakes are made because this is all happening for two great causes: helping our future and saving a historical icon.”
Help complete the project
Contributions can be made to the PCCTC “Depot Fund” and sent to the Porter County Career Center, 1005 N. Franklin St. Valparaiso, IN 46383.
Not just a Valpo story
The former Grand Trunk railroad story has not just attracted local attention. It has been picked up regionally, in Chicago and even nationally.
See The Times of Northwest Indiana coverage
The Times’ story (through the Associated Press) was also picked up by the Columbus Republic, Greenfield Daily Reporter, Greenwichtime.com among others.
