Crete, IL: C&EI Depot and Water Towers

Bill Molony -> RAILROAD HISTORY BUFFS OF ILLINOIS

Bill's comment:

The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad's water towers and station at Crete, Illinois, circa 1905.

Note the standpipe between the tracks so that tenders could be serviced while the train was stopped at the depot. Also note a classical grain elevator in the background.

David Daruszka provided an editted photo as a comment

Crete is on the "main stem" of the C&EI so it would be serving trains to all three branches ---- Evansville, St. Louis, and the southern tip of Illinois.

Update: Peter Zimmermann also posted this photo with the comment:

Crete, 30 miles south of Chicago on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. The depot is gone, the taller water tower[its remains] stood until about 20 years ago. The C&EI had short lived commuter operation that ended here, supposedly their was once a roundhouse and small coach yard located here. The operation was ended in 1903 and most of it was quickly ripped up.z
Today, only 2 tracks remain and are the jointly owned Union Pacific-CSX Chicago to Saint Louis[UP] and Evanville Indiana[CSX] main line.

Andy Zukowski posted
Chicago & Eastern Railroad Depot in Crete, Illinois. 1909

Ed Schloz: I like looking at the old depots and steam engines...but I always look for that grain elevator in the background...they are a real part of railroad history...

Andy Zukowski posted
Chicago & Eastern Railroad Depot in Crete, Illinois. 1909