Marion in Grant County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Former Narrow Gauge Railroad
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Railroad Construction
Photographed by Craig Doda, January 28, 2023
1. Former Narrow Gauge Railroad Face of Marker
Side 1
Tracklayers building narrow gauge railroad connecting Great Lakes at Toledo, Ohio, with Mississippi River reached this point October 1, 1880. In 1887, 2,000 men converted 206 miles of this to standard gauge railroad in 11 hours.
Side 2
A significant part of Americas rail system in the 19th century was 18,000 miles of 3-foot-wide narrow gauge railroad in 44 states. Most subsequently converted to 4-foot, 8½ inch standard gauge.
Erected 1992 by Indiana Historical Bureau and National Railway Historical Society. (Marker Number 27.1992.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 1, 1865.
Location. 40° 33.466′ N, 85° 39.361′ W. Marker is in Marion, Indiana, in Grant County. It is at the intersection of East 4th Street and South McClure Street on East 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 406 E 4th St, Marion IN 46952, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest 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 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: On This Site Stood The Seven Gables (within shouting distance of this marker); American Actor James Dean (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of James Dean
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Madelyn Pugh Davis (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Mildred Dilling (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Marie Webster (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Kenesaw Mountain Landis (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Samuel Plato (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Willis VanDevanter (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Cole Porter (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); James Dean (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Jim Davis (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Marion (Indiana) W.W. I Honor Roll (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . A narrow-gauge railroad. Window to the Past website entry:
Does not mention
Photographed by Craig Doda, January 28, 2023
2. Railroad Construction Face of Marker
Additional commentary.
1. Norfolk Southern
The Norfolk Southern Railroad currently operates this rail line. The Indiana Department of Transportation makes available a 2006 map of active rail lines in Indiana.
— Submitted February 4, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana.
2. The Cloverleaf RR (Narrow gauge)
The Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad was one of several narrow gauge lines operating out of a hub of narrow gauge lines in Delphos, Ohio. It began operations in 1877 and had reached East St. Louis on the Mississippi River under the name Toledo, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad by 1877. It was part of a greater scheme to connect Toledo with Mexico. In 1923, it was merged with the Nickle Plate Railroad. Ref:Railroads of Indiana; Richard S. Simms and Francis H. Parke; Indiana University Press, 1997, pg 124
— Submitted November 2, 2010, by Christopher 
Light of Valparaiso, Indiana.
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
3. Former Narrow Gauge Railroad Marker
Photographed by M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007
4. Former Narrow Gauge Railroad / Railroad Construction Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,327 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on January 29, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
