by Raildudes dad » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:37 pm
1. Any photo's out there of it throughout it's history? Photo's of the tower seem very few and far in between.
I'm not aware of many if any photos. The one's of the enclosed wooden one for the other RR are on the GRPL site.
2. What was the tower's ACTUAL USE? I've heard anything from an interlocking tower (which makes no sense to me) to a tower for controlling early electronic crossing systems (before relays).
Manually operate the crossing lights
3. When was the tower decommissioned and what railroad last owned it? PC? Conrail? MIGN?
Not sure when it was decommissioned, but it would have been when the lights were automated. I remember the 9th St tower still in operation in the late 50's early 60's but not any others. The last owner would have been Conrail since it is still standing.
4. When did the tower last receive any upkeep? It's condition is starting to deteriorate, pieces of the cupola are laying on the ground under the tower.
The last work on it would have been when the RR was still using it. A long time ago.
5. How has this tower, 125 years young (built in 1890) survived being torn down where as other Grand Rapids Landmarks such as Union Station have succumbed to the wrecking ball and scrappers torch?
It cost's money to tear it down and no one wants to spend the money to do it. It's not in the way of anything and the scrap money won't cover the cost off tearing it down.
6. Who owns it now and when was it sold?
El Sombrero owns it. It went when the property when Conrail sold the old ROW to El Sombrero. Sale was after the west side rail consolidation in 1983.
7. Any interest in restoring the tower or have any attempts been made?
I believe the El Sombrero was not interested in anything than giving it a coat of paint a number of years ago.
There were a number of crossing towers on the west side. The operators were disabled railroaders before disability was available. The 9th St tower lasted until the "current" operator could no longer work. He was missing a leg from a work related accident. He would climb up in the AM and back down after 8 hours. Second and 3rd shift, the lights were put back on automatic. My dad worked at American Seating and since he walked back and forth between the plants, would occasionally give the guy packs of cigarettes because he felt sorry for the guy. This was the late 50's.