Granite City, IL: Union Depot and Muffler Men

(Satellite)

Dale Forguson posted two photos with the comment: "Several Railroads passed by the Union Depot in Granite City.  Does anyone know who actually operated the depot?"

Jim Ripley: I believe it was for Merchants Bridge Co. latter T.R.R.A.

Bill Edrington: I’m not sure, but the depot was located on the east side of the Wabash main line just north of Niedringhaus Avenue, which is seen in the first photo. To the best of my knowledge the Chicago & Alton (later GM&O) and Big Four (NYC) did not use it…they had their own joint depot which stood nearby, between their main tracks. GM&O trains still made stops at that depot right up until Amtrak. It may be that the Wabash used the so-called “union depot” at one time, along with suburban trains of the St. Louis Merchants Bridge Terminal Railroad (which became part of the TRRA). However, in more recent times the Wabash/N&W had its own stand-alone wooden depot.

Richard Fiedler shared

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Andy Zukowski posted
The Union Railroad Depot in Granite City, Illinois.  C.1910

Bill Edrington: What railroads used this depot, and when? My recollection is that the Big Four (NYC) and C&A (GM&O) shared a joint depot located between their two main tracks north of Niedringhaus Avenue, and the Wabash (N&W) had its own depot nearby.

It is now a private residence. And the clock tower has been removed.

Street View, Mar 2019

1954/58 Granite City Quad @ 24,000

American Giants posted four photos with the comment: "New IL giants arrive in Illinois. Granite City, IL is becoming a hot spot for Muffler Men on or near Route 66. Three more 14ft Mark Cline versions were just added bringing the total to 5 in that city! Springfield IL has 4 giants and Bloomington/Normal has 2 while Atlanta, IL has 8! Interestingly IL has 17 Muffler Men along Route 66 and OK has 10 depending on what you count and how far from Route 66 such as Ketchum Kenny and the new 66 man in Chandler. These two states are certainly leading the giant charge!"

Jim Sullivan: Is there a map or anything that lists them and where they are?

American Giants: Jim Sullivan https://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/theme/86

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