Clear Creek, Indiana. On May 26, 1917 a tornado hit Clear Creek just 1/4 mile north of the Monon Station.  The next day Frank Mathers took a series of pictures of the damage at what may be his home and property. It would appear that he has been transported back to his residence by a Monon Passenger train that is standing by, waiting for him to re-board the train.   The train is stopped. The photographer is facing West.  The house with white trim at the upper left is still in existence. The barn, however, to the left of the house has been replaced. This could be a special sight seeing train because of the tornado.  There are 4 coaches with no combine for local freight or mail. There are also people between the destroyed home and buildings to the right of it. This photo is part of the Frank Mathers Collection at Indiana University. Used with their permission.

 

One of the more scenic locations along the former Monon. The Clear Creek was often photographed. In this picture, Monon J-1 2-8-2 #524 is about to cross Clear Creek. This portion of the railroad was built as the Indiana Stone Railroad. No date is listed.

 

 

 

 

One of the most time honored pictures of the Monon. Streamlined Hoosier crosses Clear Creek during the 1947 exhibition tour of the Monon. It was the embodiment of the railroad John Barriger dreamed of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Left: One mile north of Harrodsburg was the most remote and yet the most beautiful portion of the railroad. Monon #551 pulls a local freight through a rock cut and accross Clear Creek, date unknown. Right: Monon #514 and crew pose on top the the bridge over Highway 37 at Clear Creek. The engine is sitting on the old Smithville line, which by the time this picture was taken was meerly a spur to a quarry.

  

Two more looks at the old Smithville line. Left: Another picture of #514. Great shot showing not only the railroad bridge, but also the underside of the Highway 37 bridge. Right: In 1970, the bridge proclaimed Monon ownership.

Clear Creek depot, circa 1950's.

 

 

 

 

 

Clear Creek Depot, date unknown.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Left: Buildings at Clear Creek. Monon crossing can be seen. Right: Crossing at Clear Creek. Both photos appear to be from the early 1900's, exact date unknown.

Another view of the crossing at Clear Creek. Exact date unknown.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW 09-07-2008 Aerial photograph taken circa 1940.  It is looking east at the Forburger-Harris Mill in the center and the Wylie Mill of the Bloomington Limestone Company at the top.  The Wylie Mill is in Clear Creek, IN and was later used for Railroad tie creosoting. The railroad right of way of the IC (Bloomington Southern -Victor Branch) runs across the center of the photo for left to right. The Monon mainline is on the other side of the mill at the top running from left to right.  The Clear Creek Depot is way out of the picture to the left. The track coming from top to bottom down the left side of the picture is the Monon branch that severed several quarries and mills back towards Bloomington.  Notice the diamond where it crosses the IC.  The branch turns north and serviced Woolery & Sons quarry and Mill, Maple Hill Quarry and Mill, Carl Furst Quarry, University Quarry and Bloomington Limestone Company Quarry. The IC right of way is now a Rails to Trails.  The Monon Branch from the Diamond with the IC is also a Rails to Trails bike path now. -Clay Stuckey Photograph, information courtesy Pete Pedigo-