Plano, IL: CB&Q Depot, Old Rectangular Grain Elevator and Superman

Depot: (Satellite)

Elevator: (Satellite)

Smallville Mural: (Satellite)

While visiting old grain elevators, I discovered that the CB&Q depot has been nicely preserved.

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Street side

Steven J. Brown posted
Milwaukee Road 261 is on the BNSF at Plano, Illinois - June 27, 1998.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Steven's post
Not only has the depot been preserved, but so has the eastbound platform. May 12, 2021
https://www.google.com/.../data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4...

 

Andy Zukowski posted

C.B. & Q. Depot in Plano,Illinois. 1912

Photo by C.R. Childs

Davis Shroomberg: This depot still survives, having been relocated to Lyon Farm historical village outside of Yorkville.

Bill Husband: Photo must have been shortly before the current brick station was built.

Thomas Whitt shared

Bob Stekl: This station survives at the Kendall County Historical Society Lyon Farm on Route 71 in Yorkville, Illinois.

Dennis DeBruler: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uV3HwjvTFgv7aG3X9

John Czerwinski shared

A different exposure:

Andy Zukowski posted

CB&Q Railroad Station in Plano, Illinois. Photo taken by C. R. Childs

C.1910

Thomas Whitt shared

Chuck Rabideau shared

The rectangular grain elevator is across the tracks and west of the depot.

A zoom lens saves some walking.

I then drove down to the elevator and found a view relatively clear of clutter.

But it was backlit so I went around to the trackside.

This post is what taught me that Plano still had a rectangular grain elevator.

First of seven photos posted by Christian S. Landorf photography
The old Grain elevator in Downtown Plano IL. at dusk 12/7/19.
Christian has done a study of this elevator.
Christian Landorf shared
Michael R Morris: Smallville Kansas in "Man of Steel"
Christian Landorf: Michael R Morris yep I remember when it was turned into smallville, this Grain elevator can be seen in some shots of the movie.
Michael R Morris: Indeed. However, the elevator complex that Kal-El and Zod crash through is Leland Illinois.

This view is looking East. The depot is behind me on my right. Note the "Welcome to Smallville" at the bottom on the left side of the flag. This reminded my that Plano was one of the major locations for the "Man of Steel" Superman movie. Does the building with the mural house the Smallville Museum?

TheLocationGuide
"They scouted 70 potential locations nearby and the town of Plano proved the complete package they were looking for. 'Plano's first advantage was that it was within one hour of our Metropolis,” Doyle explains: “It had a classic Main Street, right down to the train station in the middle of town. Plano's Main Street was bypassed when the highway came through town in the 60s, so the heavy traffic that comes with that was kept a few blocks away.' "

Scott Mulliner posted six photos with the comment: "Absolutely beautiful work!  New windows in the depot office.  Great match.  Gorgeous. They kept the old wood on the inside. Outside was in just too bad a shape to save. But it looks so original. What a job!"

Thomas Witt shared

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Marty Bernard commented on Thomas' post
Worked the Plano Depot for two weeks in the summer of 1963 replacing the vacationing agent. A quite place. Not much happening. The photo is from August 8, 1963.