Union City Community's Rail Tower Portfolio
Why is this special? The
history of the Union City Community is because of the
railroads. In 1849, Union City was platted by Jeremiah
Smith.
Government dignitaries from the States of
Ohio and Indiana will be in attendance along with
KISS-TV which will be streaming the event live. Local
citizens as well as all contributors have been invited.
During the 1850's the Union City area became a hub
for railroad traffic with up to five railroad lines
meeting as well as crossing each other. To be able to
manage all the railroad traffic, the rail lines built a
tower (2 stories) to overlook the switching and the rail
yards. Everything you can imagine having to be managed
were controlled by the tower. Rail lines coming from the
south east, north east, south west, west, and north west
were converging within Union City many times each day.
Union City was the Destination Point for everyone from
all over the United States. It truly was the HUB to the
West Coast as well as the East Coast, all areas of the
South and North.
Our history is because of that
tower, which is still upright and silently observing
history being made. Many men worked within that tower to
ensure safe passage by many trains both passenger and
freight.
The current owner of the remaining two
tracks, CSX Corporation, has known for a few years that
Union City leaders wanted to save that tower for
historical purposes as a reminder for how Union City
came to be. CSX has been graciously waiting for the
leaders to raise enough funds to move the tower to a new
location. Rumor has it that it is the only remaining
tower in the State of Indiana as all the others have
been demolished.
Many in our community raised
funds during the last two years . We have received a
matching grant from the State of Indiana to not only
relocate the tower but also renovate it as the
destination point where visitors have access to
materials about the Union City Community. And, since it
will be the focal point for Artisan Park, the renovation
will include restroom facilities for those attending
Artisan Park festivities.
Further references as
to how important the railroad as well as history for the
Union City Community can be found in the following
references:
Indiana History Several map images are within
the article which reflect the importance of Union City
in history
Pennsylvania Railroad and the
New York Central Railroad As
children, many in our community remember their parents
telling them the Pennsylvania and New York Central
railways crossed in Union City. There is significance to
their statements since there was no other major juncture
anywhere within any of the surrounding states, during
that time period, that had this kind of a Hub for two
major railroad operators between the 1850's and the late
1960's.
The Pennsylvania Railroad and the
New York Central Railroad would eventually merge in 1968
which in turn would change ownership, multiple times for
various reasons, eventually becoming CSX Corporation.
The Rail Tower has been moved to the location
within Artisan Park and is being renovated.
ADDITIONAL IMAGES FOR THE RELOCATION OF THE RAIL TOWER
ARE COMMING SOON
