Industry, IL: Lost/Macomb, Industry & Littleton (ML) Depot

(Satellite, based on the topo map below and the curve in the tracks. Main Street did not exist here in the 1890s, a road came over from 1st Street.)

Andy Zukowski posted
Macomb and Western Illinois Railroad Depot on the Main Street of Industry, Illinois. 1890’s

Joe Driskell: Go visit the world's largest outdoor Monopoly at the courthouse square in Macomb, just two blocks from train station!

Steven Hooker shared
Andy Zukowski shared
Macomb and Western Illinois Railroad Depot on the Main Street of Industry, Illinois. 1890’s
Joe Driskell: Go visit the world's largest outdoor Monopoly at the courthousesquare in Macomb, just two blocks from train station!

A different exposure.

Andy Zukowski posted
Macomb Western & Illinois Railroad passes through Industry, Illinois. C.1910
https://www.frrandp.com/2019/08/the-macomb-western-illinois-railway-one.html
Andy Zukowski posted

Macomb and Western Illinois Railroad in Industry, Illinois.

Industry was not established near a railroad, and thus its formation occurred slowly. The town began in 1846 when blacksmith John M. Price was enticed to move there by settlers who gave him land and erected a shop for him. Nine years later the village was platted, and it was not until 1860 that the first store opened. At that time, local shops manufactured corn cultivators, seed sowers, and sorghum evaporators, which apparently resulted in the town's name of 'Industry.' By the 1880s, the town had more than a dozen stores, plus a hotel and restaurant. This photograph of Main Street looking east is from 1905.

Frank Hicks: Photo is from about 1905, give or take, shortly after the M&WI (later MI&L) was built through Industry.

Randy Chambers: In my Railroad and memorabilia collection I have an Adlake steel switch lock from the Macomb industry and Littleton Railway,

John Carson: That is not a picture of Main Street. The view is looking to the southeast. The railroad tracks curve to the south just past the elevator in the background. Mainstreet would be to the left of this picture.

Larry Candilas commented on Andy's second post
Excellent free e-book about this unique line from WIU. Here's a map.

John Carson commented on Andy's share
Here is their time table. It was found by my friend Dutin Forman, who is a local history buff. The Macomb and Western Illinois railroad was founded by C.V. Chandler, a Macomb Business man. Chandler went bankrupt, and the road was sold for scrap. A group of local investors purchased it before it was demolished, and reformed it as the Macomb, Industry and Littleton RR. Interestingly, the M,I&L RR hauled materials for the then new State route, which is now US Rt. 67, which hastened it's demise.

In 1914, it was still the Macomb & Western Illinois. And, of course, IL-67 has yet to be built.

1914/14 Macomb Quad @ 62,500

The clarity of this photo is bad, so I...

1941 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

...got a more recent photo that has better resolution. I think the depot had been removed by 1957.

1957 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

A small grain elevator has survived.

Street View, Jun 2023

And their animal feed building has the Purina checkerboard sign.

Street View, Jun 2023