Towns and Nature

Monday, October 19, 2026

Osage, IA: Sulfer Explosion, Wood Grain Elevator and IC Depot

Sulfur Storage: (Satellite)

Wood Elevator: (Satellite)

Oct 17, 2026, 7:36am fire engine dispatch:

wcfcourier
"The Osage Fire Department stated on its Facebook page that the structure may smolder or burn for the next couple of days. If smoke becomes an irritant, residents are advised to keep their windows closed."

Once again, we see that supplying fertilizer is an important service provided by a co-op. The building that burned is near the top of this image.

Satellite

The elevator has grown a lot, but it still has its wood elevator core. This former-IC route is still owned by CN, and it is obvious that CN provides rail service.

Street View, Oct 2024

I think potash is another fertilizer.

Street View, Oct 2024

I recognize this L-shaped building as a classic IC-depot design. Since it is still close to the tracks and well maintained, I presume that CN now uses it as an office.

Street View, Oct 2024

The concrete silos peaking above the depot in the above view are part of a feed mill. Feed must be heavy because the trailer has three axles.

Street View, Oct 2024

Actually, I noticed that the rear axle is not touching the ground. So its purpose is not to reduce road impact but to accommodate soft gravel driveways on farms. The augur is mounted on the front of the trailer, normally they are on the back. This mounting makes sense because the driver doesn't have to backup to the farmer's feed storage, and the driver has a good view of the end of the auger as it approaches the feed bin.

Street View, Oct 2024

A different street view driver caught three feed trucks. Again, they have extra axles that normally don't touch the road.

Street View, Aug 2021

You know you are in a rural town when you have to stop for a combine.

Street View, Oct 2024

The concrete silos for the feed mill would have been a grain elevator along the CGW. That route is now abandoned.

rail.guide

Fieldale, VA: Antique Store/1950s Shell Gas Station

(Satellite)

Street View, Jul 2012

Complete with a payphone booth.

Street View, Jul 2012

Brandoon Boyd commented on a post
Fieldale Va

They have added a hand-powered water pump to the pump island.

Ken Washburn, Feb 2020

And they evidently sold the glass-cylinder gas pump because it doesn't show in Ken's photo.

Street View, Jul 2012

"When visiting Fieldale, don’t be fooled by the exterior of this building. Although you see a Shell sign out front, gas pumps and benches with the Shell logo, you will not be able to purchase gas at this 1950’s prototype Shell station. This restored station is home to Fieldale Antiques. You’ll find yourself outside examining the 1953 model regular and premium grade gas pumps with displays of 18 & 23 cents per gallon and a 1920’s pump, which used gravity instead of electricity to fill cars. Once inside the lobby, not only will you find an original restored floor and a 1890’s cash register but a 25 -30 year antique collection. Store shelves are dressed with antique Shell products. Displays include a 1940’s Motorola TV, pictures, a traffic light, a railroad lantern with red & green lenses and more." [TheCrookedRoadVA]

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Detroit, MI: Fisher 21 Lofts/Fisher Body Plant 21

(Satellite)

Street View, Oct 2023

FisherLofts

LordExplores posted

For decades, the abandoned Fisher Body Plant 21 stood as one of Detroit’s most recognizable industrial ruins, but today it's getting a whole new purpose... 🏚️

Built in 1919, the massive factory produced automobile bodies for Cadillac and Buick before becoming part of General Motors. During World War II, it also contributed to wartime aircraft production. The plant closed in 1984 and was abandoned in 1993, leaving behind a 600,000-square-foot reminder of Detroit’s automotive past.

For years, demolition seemed inevitable. But instead of destroying the historic structure, developers announced plans in 2022 to transform it into hundreds of apartments and commercial spaces. The project offers a rare chance to preserve a piece of Detroit’s industrial history rather than erase it!

Paul Grabski: Well, this is not a nice neighborhood, I worked for 18 years across the street from this, at another GM plant. You will have to find a different area to shop-there’s nothing nearby, no parking or public transportation. Everything is closed around there-save for maybe a liquor store. I'll pass.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA: 1915 US-66 Richfield Service Station

(Satellite)

Route 66 Overview

Street View, May 2024

Jeff Leftwich posted two photos with the comment:

Photos I took in Rancho Cucamonga, California of the Cucamonga Service Station, on historic Route 66.
The photo with the motorcycle was taken in December 2018 and the one with the car was taken in December 2022.

David Thomas, Jul 2024

John Berry, Jan 2024

Note the wood phone on the far wall.

Christian Griffith, Mar 2023

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Boonville, MO: 1912 Chamber of Commerce/Katy Depot & Caboose, Grain Elevator and US-40 Mural

(Satellite)

US-40 Overview

Street View, May 2013

Steven Hooker posted three photos with the comment: "The Katy Train Station in Boonville Missouri."

Thomas Bowers commented on Steven's post
Here is a photo I took just passing through in 1984.

The building is now a trailhead for the Katy Trail. The Katy Bridge is just a few blocks north of here.

Ms. Anita Litah (Nobody), Oct 2022

Jo, Jul 2023

This map accurately marks the location of the Katy depot. The Katy route across the river is abandoned, but UP still owns the MoPac route along the river.

1953 Billingsville and 1952 Boonville Quad @ 24,000

This view is looking North from the US-40 bridge along the UP/MoPac route.

Street View, Jan 2016

The mural needs to be touched up. If you "cruise" further South along US-40, you can see that the town has done a nice job of maintaining its 19th Century buildings.

Street View, Jul 2025

Chester, IL: Hometown of Elzie Crisler Segar, the creator of Popeye

(Satellite)

Chester is the home town of Elzie Crisler Segar, the cartoonist who created ‘Popeye The Sailor Man’. There is a small park on the Illinois side of the crossing to remember Segar, which includes a life-sized statue of Popeye. The city celebrates Segar in the annual Popeye Festival held each labor day weekend.
The village of Kaskaskia is located on the west side of the Mississippi River just upriver of Chester. Kaskaskia was a commercial and transportation hub in the 1800s. In fact, it was the first capital of Illinois until 1820. The Mississippi River shifted course to the east side of Kaskaskia in the middle and late 1800s. As a result, the village is now located on the west side of the Mississippi River. But since the state line follows the historic path of the Mississippi River, Kaskaskia remains a part of the state of Illinois. The fortunes of Kaskaskia started to wane following the shifting of the river. Its population steadily declined throughout the 1900s with only 9 people remaining in 2000. [John A. Weeks III]

Curtis Suthard, Mar 2019

Glen Prentice posted 11 photos with the comment:

Popeye Trail, Chester IL.
A Great little town that started with a Popeye statue at the Segar Memorial Park, in 1977. Since then, they've added several more granite statues featuring the characters from the cartoon. There's a detailed map, so they're easy to find. They're permanent and all are there in terrific shape.