January 2008

M.P. 53.1 - 1th Subdivision-

Water Valley, according to most maps is the area north and south of the Kankakee River between the unincorporated town of Shelby and Thayer, Indiana to the southeast. The Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society's 2003 Tour Book only lists the area as: Between the south bank of the Kankakee River and Thayer. The 1915 Val Plan and several Lake County plat maps include the area north of the river also as Water Valley.

Photo Right: Monon K-2 Pacific 412 northbound from Indianapolis, prior to 1915 Picture appears to be taken looking south towards Monon Road crossing near Water Valley.

"The river is unique in that it has an ancient Indian portage at one end and an atomic age power plant at the other. One historian noted that between these two points there are a thousand strange tales.

Early explorers jokingly said that the Kankakee was as wide as it was long. Old maps show the many names of the river: the Thekiki, Huakiki, Aukiki, Sauwauseebe, and finally Kankakee. The French explorer and mapmaker Siegnelay also used the names: Akaki, Tiahkekink, Kienkiki, Theaskiki, Auequeque, and Quinquiqui.

The Kankakee River rises from the springs and swamplands of Northwest Indiana about three or four miles southwest of the southernmost bend of the St. Joseph River, where the City of South Bend is located. The village of Crumstown is considered the nearest settlement to the marshes that indicate the beginning of the river. Historians have written that it was probably used as a canoe waterway well over a thousand years ago.

During the straightening of the river in the early part of this century, bones of ancient animals were discovered, including mastodon, sabretooth tiger, giant beaver, and a type of large elk, all dug up by the excavating machinery. In all its twisting and turning, the river was nearly 200 miles long, but today, after the dredging and straightening, the length is about 120 miles.

Eventually, the Kankakee Marsh was drained almost dry and conservation groups in Northwest Indiana began to investigate. Their investigations and protests did little good, and in 1917 the dredging of the Kankakee river began, the final blow to a great natural game preserve. According to one concerned citizen, "all Northwest Indiana began reaping the harvest of its folly in the destruction of this natural wonderland through the reclamation projects ill-conceived drainage and deforestation."

But many acres of good land were uncovered and fine crops resulted, though many sections of the sandy land lie unproductive. The conservation groups did not forget the Kankakee Marsh, for their dream of restoring some of the marshlands came true when places like Jasper-Pulaski Game Preserve, LaSalle State Game Preserve, and the new Grand Kankakee Marsh of the Lake County Park System came into being.

The dredging of the Kankakee River was completed about 1922, shortening the length by many miles. Some people remember the "old" River and how disappointed their fathers were when they found out the straightened river no longer meandered in front of their river cabins. " - Pioneer History , Richard Schmal, May 26, 1982, Lowell Tribune, July 28, 1982, Lowell Tribune.-

The original Kankakee River trestle. Left: Looking to the north from about the middle of the bridge, date unknown. On the right of the image there is a sawmill. The Ahlgrim Family had a lumber buisness. Right: Looking at the original wood trestle, date unknown. In this view, you are looking south towards Thayer.

Left: Another shot of the trestle looking south, date unknown. Right: South end of the trestle and businesses. It is possible that building on east side of the bridge was old ice barn, but I could not confirm this information.

Southbound freight crossing the Kankakee River on the original wooden trestle, date unknown.

In the early days of the railroad through this area, on the north bank of the Kankakee River, west of the mainline there was a place known as Ahlgrims, or Ahlgrims Park. The area was a family business. At first it involved wood and, during winter, ice cut from the river. Later Ahlgrims Park was developed.

Left: Looking south, toward the Kankakee River at the mainline at Ahlgrims Park. The structures pictured would be on the northeast bank of the river. Right: Still looking south. This picture was taken from a distance.

Another angle of the Ahlgrim Park area near the Kankakee River.

Standing on the north end of the Kankakee River bridge looking north towards Shelby. Note what appears to be a water tower in the distance on the west side of the tracks.

Left: Close up shot of the Water Valley Station on the east side of the tracks. Note the cinder platform and fence pictured. You are looking northwest. Right: Another view looking southwest. The tracks run northwest (right side of image) to southeast (left side of image) in this picture.

Water Valley Station, date unknown. Pictured are Richard Edwin and Blanch Cox Fuller in front of the Water Valley depot. -Photo courtesy of William R. Fuller, Ph.D., D.Sc. Professor emeritus of Mathematics Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA- Disclaimer: By definition, according to the Monon Railroad Operating Rulebook: A station is a location identified in the Timetable by name.  (As information, a station may or may not have a sign identifying it by name, and if there's a depot there, the sign may or may not be on the depot. )

Right: Another shot looking railroad north along the right of way. The actual direction is northwest.

For those interested to view a 1932 Revision of the 1915 Val Plan of the north part ( north of the Kankakee River) of Water Valley, which shows the structures pictured above, here is the PDF File of the Val Plan

Advertisment for Ahlgrim Park, circa 1906. The park was a popular place for picnics, fishing and hunting at the early part of the century.

Left: Bayou at Ahlgrim Park, circa 1905. Many such waterways meandered through the park. Right: Boating scene on the Kankakee River, circa 1910. It is not know if this picture was taken near Ahlgrim Park or not. It does illustrate some of the activities that made this location popular.

Left and Right: Typical images from the many fishing camps at Ahlgrim Park and other places along the Kankakee River in the early 1900's. Both of these pictures are circa 1905. On the image to the right, notice the cabin. It is a 1910 version of a house boat. Note the shape, this cabin has been built on an old barge. Probably handy during flood season.

Kankakee River fishing camp, circa 1910. This picture could be near Ahlgrim Park.

South of the river in Water Valley are two former turn of the century hunting clubs and hotels. Pictured is the Folgi Hotel, circa 1906. Note the flooding conditions n the river. Before the river was dredged and straightened this was a common occurance. This also made Water Valley a prime location for sportsmen, hunters and fishermen. Shelby and Water Valley once boasted 6 hotels. The highway bridge has yet to be constructed. The steel bridge that many people remember was built in 1915.

Diana Club, circa 1907. One of the many sportmen clubs and hotels in the Shelby and Water Valley.

Water Valley Today

Left and Right: The house built by Max Ahlgrim shortly after the family arrived in Water Valley, sometime around 1875-76.

Left: Looking to the west from the center of the former Monon bridge. Pictured is the north bank of the Kankakee River at where the Ahlgrim Park beach once was located. The yellow house in the picture dates back to the time of Ahlgrim Park. Right: Another photo from the center of the bridge, looking to the northwest along the mainline.

Left: Remains of a former section house and pump house and water tank, southeast of the Kankakee River on the east side of the right of way. This location is perhaps 200 yards south of the river. Pictured is the foundation and lower level of the pump house. Right: Close up image of the enterance of the pump house.

Left: Section house foundation. This foundation is all that remains of the section house that was railroad north of the water tank and pump house. Right: Looking down into the lower level of the pump house. Some of the pipes are still there.

Left: Looking southeast along the former Monon mainline towards Thayer. You are standing on where Bridge 55.5 was once located. Right: Where Bridge 55.5 once stood is now two culverts. You are looking northwest along the mainline.

Left and Right: The Folgi Hotel still stands in 2006, however, it is no longer a hotel. This residence is south of the river on Highway 55.

Left and Right: This building is the Diana Club, circa 2006. This former resort is located southeast of the Folgi Hotel on the east side of Highway 55. Many years ago, mid 1960's, I was inside this building. Too bad I was not carrying a camera at the time. Just south of this residence, Highway 55 makes two hairpin turns and you arrive in Thayer. This marks the southern boundry of what was once known as Water Valley.

To learn more about Water Valley, or other Monon locations, check out Bygone Places Along The Monon.

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