Herington, KS: Rock Island Roundhouse

James Adams posted
1950 [1955] taken from the Herington grain elevator.
Larry L Byers The photo is believed to have been taken in the mid-1950s soon after the large grain elevator was constructed on the west side of the former Rock Island switch yard. Much of the roundhouse was destroyed by fire late in the 1960s. The remaining portion of the roundhouse remained standing until 1988 when the St. Louis Southwest Railway (Cotton Belt) had the building razed.
Rusty Beames Yup, these are all Leo Ahl. We have a few of the originals at the Herington Historical Society & Museum, and the majority of the originals are with a private owner, and RR co-worker of mine, who inherited them from his father. This includes many negatives that have not been developed. I'm thinking this pic is from 1955, as I have a date written down somewhere of this pic.

Satellite

MoPac used to run east/west through town and Rock Island went north/south. I see the eastern side of MoPac is abandoned. Whoever bought this part of the Rock Island seems to be doing a good business. Looking at a 1974 topo maps confirms that the diesel-engine servicing facilities now occupies the roundhouse area of the yard.