Edwardsville, IL: NKP (Clover Leaf) Water Tower and 1883 Depot

Depot's Original Location: (Satellite, squarespace)

Second Location: (Satellite, nkphts)

Third and Current Location: (Satellite)

Mike Finney posted two photos with the comment: "This photo says Edwardsville."

1
Mike Finney: Charles McKinney does this look right for the water tower at Edwardsville?
Charles McKinney: It is Mike, that picture is sure enough looking southwest, In the area where the boxcar is is where they moved the depot too or close anyway. On down the track past the second water tower on your left is where we built the new crossover switch to the CN&W/UP in 83 for the Coffeen coal train.
[The depot must be out-of-frame to the right.]

2

Both UP and NS ripped there lines out of this town even though they added new track as recently as 1983. But the abandonment was recent enough that you can see the tree lines on the east side. The Madison County Transit Nickel Plate Trail also provides a good clue :-) UP joined NS around Schwarz St. and they paralleled each other to Granite City.

In the top photo, I wondered if the boxcar was parked at a freight house. But the aerial photo below indicates it is one of the spurs for a rather large plant complex. After looking at the aerial view, I think the first tall water tower is a tripod like we saw in Sorento, IL.

In the second photo, note the motorcar next to the depot.

The building north of the water tower in this aerial photo was the depot. It has since been moved. [squarespace]

1941 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

Edwardsville Nickel Plate Station posted
The renovation of the Edwardsville Nickel Plate Station is nearing completion! We've come a long way in the last year!

Street View, Aug 2023
It was here in Aug 2021, but not in Apr 2019.
According to Google Earth, it was moved between Sep 2019 and Jul 2020.

It used to be north of the N.O. Nelson Lewis and Clark Community College Campus.

Street View, Apr 2019

Candice Marie Lynn posted
Edwardsville IL. This line was shared by the CNW (SI Line) Wabash and Litchfield & Madison. The station shown has been moved across the tracks (now removed) is owned by Lewis and Clark Community College.
 Credit is given the photo..
[I don't think it was shared with the Wabash. The Wabash depot was northwest of here.]
Andy Brown: The CNW ran to the west of the depot. The two split just north of Wolf St....the crossing where this photo was taken. They ran parallel all the way to Madison, Il. This is less than a mile from my parents house and these crews were very hospitable to a young, annoying train geek such as myself. Many rides to and from the brickyard and out to White Siding.
Steve Nash: The CNW line used to really roll through Edwardsville when I lived over on Hillsborough Avenue in the mid 80's. Mostly coal if I remember correctly.
Troy Patterson: Is that old NKP then?
Gabe Osborn: Troy Patterson yes old NKP [Cloverleaf] Edwardsville Depot.

Comments on Candice's post

RiversAndRoutes
The depot is now available as an event space.