Ellettsville, Indiana

Along The Right Of Way

April 2009

M.P. 213.1 - 4th Subdivision - Z

The town was founded in 1837 and later incorporated in 1866. It gets its name from the first merchant to get established, Edward Ellett. Ellettsville's proud heritage is rooted in the limestone industry. "Millions of tons of building stone have been shipped by trains and trucks throughout the United States to build magnificent memorials, cathedrals, government buildings, libraries, public schools, colleges and universities, and countless churches and synagogues. Included in these shipments have been priceless carvings that have told the rich history of our states and national capitol. Craftsmen from our limestone mills have traveled throughout the nation to do on-site work on these structures in building American history" (by Maurice Endwright), hence the town's motto, "Builders of American History." Today, Bybee Stone Company still produces great designs and limestone works at its mill in Ellettsville. The stone for the rebuilding of the Pentagon was provided by Bybee Stone after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

A northbound consist, with C-420 #502 in the lead. Freight #72 on the northern edge of Ellettsville. Photo was taken in July of 1971 and the Monon was in its final days. The mill is just north of town. Until 1967, #502 saw use on the passenger trains.

NEW 06-08-2008 Northbound approaching the depot at Ellettsville. -Robert Wheeler Photograph-

Ellettsville, Indiana depot. Date unknown, however, based on clothing early 1900's might be a good assumption.

More images of the first Ellettsville depot. Thanks to research by Pete Pedigo of Bloomington, Indiana, we know that this original Monon depot was burned in a train wreck that happened on August 11, 1905. This depot was located about 1500 feet north of the last depot location. After the wreck and fire a hotel room and a box car were used as the depot. The newspaper reported that the railroad bought the property on the curve for a new station in October of 1907 and the railroad was going to move the depot to that location, away from the quarry area. -Both images from the Pete Pedigo Collection-

Left: Ellettsville Indiana depot, date unknown, awaits demolition. Like most small town depots along the line, once they served no purpose, they were unceremoniously torn down. At one time this depot was an essential part of the community. Time worn, it sits abandoned in this picture. Right: Excellent shot of the trackside wall of the depot.

Left: November 1979, Ellettsville, Indiana. Depot shot, looking towards the railroad north. Right: Another view of the depot at Ellettsville, looking south toward Bloomington.

Action shot. Passing the Ellettsville Depot, December 8, 1967. Northbound freight.

Looking along the right of way at Ellettsville, circa 1976. Lumber company to the right of the picture. Bottle gas facillity to the left.

Crossing in downtown Ellettsville, circa 1981. The depot would be off to the right side of the image. It had been removed prior to this picture.

Ellettsville Today

Left: Downtown Ellettsville. Sale Street on a quiet Sunday morning. Right: Site of the depot pictured above. Jack's Defeat Creek is to the left side of the image.

Left: Looking to the north along the former mainline. Pictured taken from sidewalk of the new Route 46. Right: Looking to the south and Bloomington. Tracks still remain, for how long is anyone's guess.

Former mainline on the north outskirts of Ellettsville.

The former Elletsville depot, February 2005. The depot was moved to private property south of Bloomington, where it sits today.

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