Re: [CBQ] Downers Grove yard photo

[Michael Matalis <mmatalis@sprynet.com>]

I managed to access the Sanborn maps (not easy!) and I am certain now that the structure is the old Downers Grove Water Works.

I've never tried contacting the DG Historical Society (I'm afraid that I'm not much of a face to face people person) and until I found their Facebook page today I was under the impression that they weren't much on sharing since they had such a small on line presence.  I now stand corrected.

Thank you kindly,

Michael Matalis

Downers Grove IL

You can see my railroad photography blog at http://www.chasingheavymetal.com/blog/

You can see my photos and my ugly mug at http://www.flickr.com/photos/prairierailfan/sets/

And you can now find me on Facebook

On Dec 5, 2012, at 9:38 PM, GLEN HAUG wrote:

Michael:
 
The photo is taken from the signal tower that was at about MP 21.5.  The long signal bridge (that was installed in 1914 at MP 21.56 and moved to MP 21.64 in 1930) is not in the photograph yet.  In the photo you can see two parallel left-hand mainline crossovers on the mainlines.  An old CB&Q station map identifies a large building just to the north of the RR R/W as 'Water Works'.  I believe this is the building in the photo, because the map shows it almost directly north of the west end of the crossovers, which is where it also is in the photo.  This building is also shown about 500 feet east of the old turntable location.
 
Does the Downers Grove Historical Society let you look at their files?  If so, I would like to visit sometime on a future trip to Chicago.
 
Glen Haug  
 

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To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
From: mmatalis@sprynet.com
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2012 16:31:27 -0600
Subject: [CBQ] Downers Grove yard photo

I dislike posting links to photos on Facebook since it excludes so many people, but this is the only place I've seen this particular shot. 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=243581035742564&set=pb.150557015044967.-2207520000.1354745290&type=3&theater

It's from the files of the Downers Grove Historical Society and supposedly shows the commuter yard in Downers Grove, no date shown, but I'd guess early 1900's. It looks like it was taken from atop the tower or the signal bridge. What struck me about this photo is what appears to be a powerhouse along the north side of the yard tracks; big brick building, tall stacks, wooden coal gon parked outside, it's something I've never heard of before and have no idea what it is. Town power plant? Q power plant? Not Downers Grove? Can anyone give me an idea?

Thank you kindly,

Michael Matalis
Downers Grove IL

You can see my railroad photography blog at http://www.chasingheavymetal.com/blog/
You can see my photos and my ugly mug at http://www.flickr.com/photos/prairierailfan/sets/
And you can now find me on Facebook

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