February 2006

M.P. A31.6 - 3st Subdivision - SY

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Wade Junction was the final name given when automatic interlocking was installed at the junction, north of LaCrosse. On the C&O side it was called "QN Tower" and finally "Wade."

Wade Junction

M.P. 32.5 - Qn

Original wooden tower at QN Junction, later Wade Junction. Looking eastbound along the C&O mainline. M.D. McCarter photo, used with his permission.

Wade Junction, date unknown. Looking southbound along the Monon mainline. Cook Ditch is off to the right. Mahlon Eberhard photo.

-Image courtesy Access LaPorte County-

"One of the most recently formed towns in LaPorte county. Settlement in the LaCrosse area was inhibited by the presence of the very wet, marshy conditions. Almost all of the region was Kankakee marshland, supplying marsh hay in abundance. The dried stalks of the wild marsh grasses were the area's major crop until reclamation. LaCrosse first started to develop in the early 1860's with the completion of two railroads, which helped to bring in settlers, chiefly German immigrants. Many of the first buildings were situated on the highest ground available, the railroad rights-of-way. Houses were built on stilts because the town was flooded with every rise of the river. Many old-timers recall walking on Highway 8 in hip boots. These conditions changed after the marsh was drained. The wild marsh hay lands were transformed into extremely fertile corn fields, yielding today as much as 160 bushels per acre. LaCrosse has remained primarily a small farming community, in spite of the presence of 4 railroads (formerly 5) passing through it. All but the CSX have abandoned their lines." - Courtsey of Portable LaPorte County , Copyright 1978 Michigan City Public Library-

LaCrosse Railroad Map. Large Size File 1741x1159. Medium Size File: 870x579.

Worth Tower, LaCrosse, Indiana. August 9, 1947. Looking north from south of the junction with the Pennsylvania. Photo taken by Harry Zillmer, of South Bend, Indiana. Photo courtsey of M. D. McCarter. Used with his permission.

  

Left and Right: Great shots of the Monon LaCrosse depot. Dates unknown. In the photo on the right, I believe you are looking towards the south. This picture is courtesy William Smith, whose Grandmother Bessie Shaw was at one time the Depot Agent in LaCrosse.

Scenes from LaCrosse, early 1900's. Left: Looking south, along what is now Highway 421. The photographer is standing on the Pere Marquette crossing. The steam locomotive working in the distance is on the Pennsylvania. The Monon mainline would be to the right of the photograph, circa 1917. Right: Early 1900's look down the street. You are looking east down what is now Highway 8.

Lacrosse Methodist Church. This postcard image is of the original church, which was replaced with a new building

NEW 01-31-2006 LaCrosse High School. Left: LaCrosse High School, circa 1940's? Right: The building is still a school in 2006. - Right image courtesy Access LaPorte County-

NEW 01-31-2006 Left: LaCrosse Town Hall 2006. Right: Gazebo in Festival Park. This park is very close to the site where the Monon and Pennsylvania crossed.-Images courtesy Access LaPorte County-

Some local landmarks. The Hucker Family of LaCrosse is well known in town. Wilbur Hucker Sr. opened and operated a Kaiser Frazier dealership from 1947 through 1953. In 1954, Wilbur built the Standard Station. Charles Hucker took it over in 1973 when Wilbur retired. It was a Standard Oil station at that time. In the early 1980s the station changed to Union 76. In 1989 the business was sold to Chuck Hucker's brother, Wilbur, Jr., and his son, Mike and changed to a Phillips 66 station. Currently it has changed to a BP station. The business has been operated by three generations of four different Hucker families.

Hucker Kaiser-Frazier dealership.

Left: Grand opening of the Standard Oil Station, 1954. Right: Aerial view of the station, circa 1960. Typical of the Standard Oil service stations of the era.

August 9, 1947. Special excursion passenger southbound. Photo taken just north of Route 8, LaCrosse. M.D. McCarter photo, used with his permission.

LaCrosse, Indiana, date unknown. Monon engine #407, running the Michigan City branch, is about to cross the Pennsylvania "Panhandle". Louis A Marre photo.

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