Description:
Ever since the first railroad and road crossed at grade railroad grade crossings have been a thorn in the side to both railroads and motorists. Before the advent of automatic warning devices many busy grade crossings had a watchman stationed to walk out into the road and stop traffic with a flag or lantern. The next logical enhancement was the addition of mechanical gates that the watchman could operate. Electrically controlled gates were the next advancement that allowed the watchman to stay in his shanty and out of the middle of the road. As automatic warning devices became more widespread many crossing shanties were closed. Some remained in operation for longer periods of time due to the complexity of the tracks through the crossing.

The crossing watchtowers in Lafayette were located east of the passenger depot on the streets that crossed through the NYC and NKP yards. There were towers located at Wabash Avenue, Chestnut Street, Green Street, and Smith Street. Some of these towers remained in operation into the 1980s.

Photos:

Green Street watchtower looking southwest. Compare this photo with the one below and note that the tower has lost its chimney and now appears to be heated by propane. April 1971. (Jim Sinclair Photo)

The Green Street watchtower looking towards the northwest. The Lafayette passenger station is ahead around the curve. The next street to the north with the automatic flashers and gates is Chestnut Street. 1969. (John Fuller Photo)

Looking northwest at the watchtower for Wabash Ave. The two tracks on the right are the westbound and eastbound mains. The track on the far left led to the NYC roundhouse. 1969. (John Fuller Photo)

The Monon Historical and Technical Society has saved one of the pneumatically operated gates from Smith Street at their museum in Linden, IN. December 2, 2006.