1920’s Era Concrete Giant "Coal Loading" Tower of Michigan City, Indiana - Recorded Summer of 2024
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- The 250 ton capacity coaling tower was built in 1924 on the Michigan Central Railroad mainline between Detroit and Chicago. Michigan Central operated as a subsidiary of New York Central who eventually took over its operations. In 2024, Norfolk Southern ran trains still run through the abandoned coaling tower.
I've played this one a couple times just to admire the view of a cathedral in concrete that has spent more time in retirement that it ever did in its service life. I wanted to do a bit of checking on some items so here goes. A good reference is a story by a friend of mine Kevin Keefe who wrote an article for Classic Trains and indeed mentioned this location as the folks would drive by it en route to their home in Niles MI. Your research assistant did a fine job (the Vanna White of book page displaying) and I'm glad you took many detailed close-ups which pointed out how heavy duty these things are. Sadly the freeze thaw Cycles of a cold midwest winter are taking their toll on this structure even the rebar can't hold it off forever. On the underside some of that old coal smoke is still holding onto the concrete and on the left inside that Arch is where the little carts would rise to the top on a pulley system and then dump into the big holding bin. At this stage of their lives they almost look more poignant in black and white on an overcast day as it enhances many of the construction details. There's still probably about 100 left across the US I have three in Wisconsin and Illinois has two major ones west of Chicago in Dekalb and Nelson and your next closest one is an impressive two-part structure near Gilman IL. It seems like railroad structures were always built with the theory they will be here forever. Thanks for highlighting what was once common across America. Having grown up around the railroads this made me feel right at home
I really enjoyed reading this comment. I’m going to pin it to the video. I am going to go search for some more of these. I really did have fun going up looking at it close I felt it was definitely worth looking at. I was told there was a couple more but they were hives all over them to wait till the fall maybe. Thank you, Brother for contributing to Video so much. I love it when you leave your comments and deep dive into the subjects.
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I too love the trains as they’re in my blood, being from Gary in the 60’s, you crossed some tracks what seemed like every mile in any direction
I love trains and railroad stuff, good video Storm. I`ve road a few freights in my younger days, I sure do miss the youtuber hobo shoestring and his videos riding the rails and all his train info. He`s riding the rails in the sky now, you all take care, love you guys.
I have watched his videos before as a matter fact Steve and I really do appreciate you letting me know you’re enjoying the adventures. This was a pretty cool one indeed. We would always drive by since I was a kid. I always wondered what it looks like up close. Much love right back to you, brother.
❤Hello to everyone😊 I love doing videos with the Storm ❤️
Hello Mrs Storm 👋😎 You’re getting the hang of it on these videos, good to see you
Thanks for the nice piece of history Mr & Mrs Storm, always good to see out & about 👋😎
You are very welcome Mrs. storm said hello to you also and thank you for letting us know. You enjoyed the video.
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Nice Storm. Very interesting seeing the locations you show. Hi to Mrs Storm 🖐🏻
Aw, you’re so awesome. Thank you so much, Lisa. I’m glad you’re enjoying the sites. Maybe next time you’re down this way I could take you to a few more cool spots. I have picked out. I showed your message to Mrs. storm and she said hello back to you.
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Thank you for that little donation that really is appreciated my friend 😉
@TheSteelCityStorm you are welcome 😊
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Awesome video! Been by there many times always wanted to stop and check it out.
Thank you, brother. I felt the same way. I’ve drove past it so many times I had to get out and check it out. You should definitely get out and go up close to it yourself. It’s a pretty cool spot. It definitely makes you feel small. I was pretty surprised at the infrastructure how bad it’s falling apart now.
What a fabulous idea this is!! It's almost like a time machine video starting out with the black and white photo from the book and gliding right into the real thing. I love it!! You are a very smart person and btw, you have a wonderful assistant at your side too. I hope you do more of these because they are just so cool!! Two thumbs up, one for you and one for Mrs. Storm! 👍👍
You are such a sweetheart thank you I thought it was a pretty good idea myself. I was going through the books and looking at things and then all of a sudden it hit me that I should film a video like this. I showed the wife your message and she said thank you so much.
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You made me laugh when you said one for her and one for me😃😅😂
Howdy Mr & Mrs Storm 👋 Loved your video I was so happy to see you back out with some more Northern Indiana history on what looked like a beautiful spring day. Thanks & see you on the next one ✌️
Have you ever done anything on the abandoned American legion in new Chicago?
I really appreciate those kind words. Thank you so much. You put a smile on my face.
No, not really there’s really not a lot of to see besides the tanks outside. I might get around to that. Thank you for that suggestion.
Amtrack still runs those tracks. Goes by the Prison crossing Hitchcock on the West side. Looks like you had a fine day on this side.
It was a very nice day. I always wanted to walk up close to it. Thank you for that info Jack. I appreciate that. I am looking to do more of these kind of videos so hopefully I will find some other good spots to check out. Thank you for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed the video and that information was definitely interesting.
@@TheSteelCityStorm You were 10 miles from me at time of taping. I may even have driven within a few blocks. LOL.
What is odd. La Porte was the door to the West before St. Louis was built. But there are few buildings left from then. There is a Pioneer Club here (building at Fairgrounds) and the County Museum has many photos and documents. ISP in Michigan City has an old hand auger used to create water pipe from logs.
The Indiana Toll Road runs on top of a Sand Dune. That was the end of the Glaciers .
In Heston off 200E is the 954 feet high ground elevation marker. 2nd highest point in Indiana.
Ever wonder where the Dunes of Gary went? They sold the Gary sand dunes to California. Partially to build Pismo Beach. My Mom said she watch the train loads of sand leave.
There is a Story. That in the 1800's NY bankers came by carriage. Landed in Michigan City in the Fall. Saw how violent the Lake was. Got back on the road. Went around the tip and then Built the Chicago Harbor.
There is the structure of one Ice House left on the Bluff above North Pine Lake (now apartments). Pine and Stone Lakes had many structures for processing Ice. With the Steam Ground up North. Downtown LaPorte had many lumber yards. But those buildings are long gone. There is a Restaurant at Jackson and Lincolnway. From the Jackson St side you see the outline of the original Carriage House.
Clear Lake used to be farmed from the seaweed to perfume companies.
And we had the escaped villain Belle Guiness. Her house was on McClung Rd.
I wondered what that was for. I thought it might have been for coal for back when trains still ran on it. I wanted to go to the top but they destroyed the stairs so you can’t get up there.
I always wondered the same thing myself that’s why I finally had to pull over and get up close to it. If you ever get a chance to walk up and look at it close up, I recommend it. It’s pretty damn cool.
This one is epic! Have you seen the one 15 minutes away in New Buffalo? Not as cool but still awesome. If you go back into the woods just south of the tracks, there is another hidden coal tower. I have attempted to explore the old abandoned roundhouse a few times but the way in seems to be guarded by a missive hornet nest that comes back every summer. It was converted into a gym a while back and is now vacant so I'm not sure how cool it is. The train museum next door is cool and definitely worth checking out as well.
I’m glad you enjoyed this one and yes, I am definitely gonna go check that out. I did not know there was a museum out that way. I appreciate you letting me know about that. We go past new Buffalo all the time and me and the wife are looking for new things to document and explore always. I definitely don’t want anything to do it no hornets I’m allergic to those suckers.
Hope you’re having a good day and sorry I just now seen your message, but I really appreciate you
It's a shame they are going to demolish this. The structures of today will never be as remembered as the structures of yesterday
Looking pretty rough
Yes, it is. I was pretty surprised looking at it up close