Shenandoah, IA: Trailhead/Wabash Depot, Restaurant/CB&Q Depot and Grain Elevators

Original Wabash: (Satellite)

Moved Wabash: (Satellite)

CB&Q: (Satellite)

Old Elevator: (Satellite)

Old Mill: (Satellite)

Viterra Elevator: (Satellite)

Corn Processing Plant: (Satellite)

Street View, Jul 2021

Michael Emerson Avitt posted
Wabash depot at Shenandoah, Iowa in March 2004.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Michael's post
The building is the trailhead for the trail that uses the former Wabash right-of-way east and north of town, but the building is next to the former CB&Q right-of-way. So I think this was a CB&Q depot. I think the Wabash depot was south of Ferguson Road and west of Center Street. I wonder what the plaque says. I could not find info about this building on their website: https://www.wabashtrace.org/. 1978 Shenandoah West and East Quads @ 24,000

Dennis DeBruler commented on Michael's post
Whoops, the photo is probably of the Wabash depot after it was moved because this building probably was the CB&Q depot, https://maps.app.goo.gl/WD15EN3P5F16N9xW9. This building is closer to downtown. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3bMj5SkoBtMDDyNt9

The depot is on the left, and an old grain elevator is on the right. I can't decide if the headhouse is wood or concrete.

Street View, Jul 2021

In the right foreground is "The Mill." I presume it was a flour mill. It has been repurposed as a farmers' market. In the background is another view of the old elevator and the CB&Q depot. Behind the old elevator we see part of the Viterra elevator.

Street View, Nov 2021

The 2004 SPV Map shows that the CB&Q route to the East was abandoned by CB&Q. The oldest topo map I could find was 1955, and that eastern route already doesn't appear on the map.

1902 via Dennis DeBruler

Of all of the tendrils that CB&Q had in western Iowa, the branch to Shenandoah is the only one left. Has BNSF learned from shortlines that you don't need a loop of track for an elevator if the elevator provides the only traffic on the route?

BNSF

The Viterra elevator is one of the reasons BNSF still serves this town. Note the fall protector on the right side.

Street View, Jul 2021

As with many ag service facilities, fertilizer supply is also important.

Street View, Jul 2021

I found that storage tank when I traced a pipe from the railroad to the tank. So they must be able to receive liquid fertilizer via tank cars.

Satellite

This view confirmed that it was a pipe.

Street View, Jul 2021

The Great Plains corn processing plant is the other reason BNSF still comes to town. As Americans consume less corn syrup, Great Plains has learned how to make biodiesel from corn oil. And they use their corn syrup "in fermentation and catalytic conversion in the production of bioplastics, biochemicals, synthetic biology, alternative proteins and even foods." Great Plains built their first commercial grade Clean Sugar Technology facility here that produces corn syrup with 40% lower carbon intensity. This is one of nine biorefineries that Great Plains uses to produce nearly 1.0 billion gallons of biofuels annually. [gpreinc]

Street View, Jun 2022

An interior view of the The Mill.

Photo, Dec 2024