Many communities have chosen to attract businesses and citizens by cleaning up and making their community more inviting to investors. The revitalization of depots is a common theme in many communities and I think it is high time we do something with the Plymouth depot area. I am sure there are grants, historic preservation or stimulus money available somewhere. Culver and Bremen, for example, have refurbished their depots.
I spoke with some movers and shakers in the community and they all agree that something should be done. When I talked with Mayor Mark Senter, he also agreed and said that he has been looking into this entire area and that one of his goals for 2010 would be to appoint a committee to move ahead on this project. There is also a federal high speed rail corridor that has been proposed to come through Plymouth on the old Pennsylvania line. I hope to obtain more information on this project and will share that with you at a later date.
 
THE HISTORY
OF PLYMOUTH DEPOT
It all started when the Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad was chartered in Ohio Feb. 24, and in Pennsylvania April 11, 1848. Then on July 26, 1856 a Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad was formed as a consolidation of the Fort Wayne and Chicago, Ohio and Indiana and Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroads.
Extensions opened west to Ply-mouth Nov. 10, 1858. As near as we can tell, the wooden depot, which was situated on West LaPorte Street, was built during the 1860s. There wasn’t any information as to when it was actually built, but in 1914 it was razed and was replaced by the brick “Union Station” depot in 1915, which is still standing today. The depot was also used by the Vandalia and Pennsylvania travelers.
I can remember my grandmother Boys telling me that every morning she would go to the depot and visit with the travelers and would frequently write news stories for the Pilot about where they were going or where they had been. Back then, traveling was news. There was a lot of passenger and freight traffic on the west and eastbound lines. As a kid I can remember lying in bed at night and hearing the steam locomotives chug-chugging along and the sound of the steam whistle and rhythmic clack-clacking of the rail cars as they passed through Plymouth. Those sounds are now gone forever. I can also remember that the interior of the depot was very attractive with beautiful woodwork and terrazzo floors.

THE UNION LUNCH ROOM
The Union Lunch Room, which was situated across LaPorte Street from the Pennsylvania Union Station, was the place for passengers to get a great and quick meal. In 1917, Mr. T.F. Houghton, owner and operator of the Union Lunch Room, recognized a triangular piece of ground at the junction of the railroads as an ideal place for an eating house. So he bought the ground and erected a two-story building suited for dining. His motto was: Give the customers a good meal at a decent price. His meals were 40 cents and that included coffee. As business grew, he added a larger dining room to the east. This building still stands today.
Currently, there isn’t any passenger service for the public anymore — just a few freight trains that travel through Plymouth and there is only one track. Sadly, after 94 years, the depot is just sitting there — lonely and deteriorating. The railroad still owns it and is using it for storage. I am glad there are those in power that are aware of the conditions. 
I wish them well and hope things will get-a-movin’. Full steam ahead!
POP QUIZ: More Indiana history: What is the oldest county in Indiana?
 Answer to last week’s POP QUIZ:  The question was: Which county in Indiana is known as the “Limestone Capitol of the World”? Answer: Bedford. Its limestone is a favorite of architects because of its beauty and durability and has become the foundation of a number of structures including the Empire State Building, Chicago’s Tribune Tower, The Pentagon and St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City.
 

Well, that’s it for now . . . so until next time . . . this is my view from the Pilot house.

Mike Boys is a lifelong Marshall County resident, former newspaper owner and former public officeholder. The dictionary defines a Pilot House as “an enclosed area on the bridge of a ship, from which the vessel is guided.” His views, opinions and news appear occasionally on the Pilot News Opinion page.