Griffith in Lake County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Griffith's Grand Trunk Depot Museum

(Marker on the right of 2)

Photographed by Lou Donkle, June 26, 2022

1. Griffith's Grand Trunk Depot Museum Marker

(On right)

Inscription. This small Grand Trunk combination depot was one of three railroad stations that once stood in Griffith. Eleven tracks then crossed Broad Street, representing five railroads - the Michigan Central, the Grand Trunk, the Erie, the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern, and the Chesapeake & Ohio.

By the end of the 1970s only the EJ&E and the GT tracks still came through town, and two of the railroad depots were no longer standing. The EJ&E depot had burned to the ground and the Erie station was torn down. Only the small 70-year-old Grand Trunk depot was still standing and it, too, was slated for demolition.

Griffith is called The Town that Came to the Tracks because its founders, Jay and Elmer Dwiggins, chose this spot specifically because of the number of railroads that crossed here - which at its maximum supported 180 trains per day. To honor Griffith's railroading heritage a town-wide effort was started to save this last depot, and in January, 1980, it was moved across Broad Street to its present site.

The depot was renovated through the efforts of town organizations, businesses, and citizens, and opened in October,

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1981, as a museum dedicated to Griffith railroad history. The depot, and land it stands on, is owned and operated by the Griffith Historical Society.

This 2017 Griffith Historical Park dual commemorative project was sponsored by the Griffith Neighborhood Spotlight through a grant funded by the Legacy Foundation of Lake County, In. and volunteer construction resources generously donated by members of B.S.A Troop 264 Leaders & scouts/Griffith Lutheran Church, the Bricklayers & Allied Crafters, Local 4, In/Ky, Griffith In.

Erected 2017 by Griffith Historical Society. (Marker Number 03000985.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 41° 31.254′ N, 87° 25.653′ W. Marker is in Griffith, Indiana, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of East Avenue A and South Broad Street, on the right when traveling east on East Avenue A. Marker is at the intersection of East Avenue A and South Broad Street, on the right when traveling east on East Avenue A. Marker is near the corner in front of the small

Griffith's Grand Trunk Depot Museum image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, June 26, 2022

2. Griffith's Grand Trunk Depot Museum

Griffith Historical Society website entry:
Click for more information.

depot building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Griffith IN 46319, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana

and in the Calumet Region.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Elgin, Joliet, & Eastern Railway Interlocking Tower (here, next to this marker); Ray Nichels (approx. ¼ mile away); Dutch in the Calumet Region (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Lincoln Highway (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Lincoln Highway (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Lincoln Highway (approx. 3 miles away); Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood) (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Hoosier Flag Lady (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Griffith.

Also see . . . Griffith Historical Society.

Griffith Historical Park sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, June 26, 2022

3. Griffith Historical Park sign

Located behind the Depot Museum

This website page is about the Depot and other website pages describe other attractions of the GHS.

In 2004, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures.

(Submitted on December 2, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

Additional commentary.
1. Native American site and burial mound
I am enquiring if the historical society is aware of a native american burial mound and village site located near the Broad St./RR crossing. The mound and village are just southeast of that intersection. I was first shown the sites by an elderly neighbor about 50 years ago and told not talk about it as to deter treasurer hunters. I visited the sites many times and saw pottery shards and other artifacts. I took my oath of secrecy seriously and didn't tell anyone about it. I'm advanced in age now and believe the site would be respected and treated appropriately.

So if you are unaware of this and would like to find and preserve the sites I can assist you using a map you have posted on your site. I appreciate your efforts to the preservation of history and enjoy

Museum Railroad Cars Behind Depot Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, June 26, 2022

4. Museum Railroad Cars Behind Depot Museum

the information you provide.
An editor can put you in contact with this correspondent. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted November 23, 2023.

EJ&E Museum Caboose image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, June 26, 2022

5. EJ&E Museum Caboose

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 902 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 27, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.