See Link Below:

Big Four Depot - Mattoon, Illinois
bowens@rypn.org

> See Link Below:
I agree with the saving of these buildings unless the situation exists like we had here at Centralia. Our depot was a victim of deferred maintenance and had deteoriated to the point that it would have been cheaper to tear it down and rebuild it that it would to restore it. Let's hope that isn't the case in Mattoon.

One point I didn't quite agree with was the "making a subway" statement. A sunway, as I understand the work, is a tunnel. The track lowering at Mattoon was a grade reduction operation. It was done to reduce a grade that as one civil engineer stated was worse that building a railroad in the mountains. In the mountains you can zig zag, run track up the side valleys, or whatever is needed to reduce the grade so trains can be handled over it. These stream beds and side valleys generally aren't that conveniently located in the prairie so you use long fills and deep cuts.
Jim

rrfanjim@charter.net

I received the following today in an e-mail from the group trying to save the depot:

To everyone who has expressed interest in seeing the
Big Four saved -

It is with great disappointment that we must inform
all of you that it appears demolition will begin this
week. As of Sunday 4/4, there is a track hoe and
dumpster on site. We spent the weekend taking as many
pictures as we could, and will continue to document
the daily progress of demolition until it is gone. As
we sort through them, we will post them on the web
site.

While the Big Four may soon be gone, we intend to
continue with compiling a comprehensive history on
the depot, as well as other significant structures in
the area. If anyone wishes to contribute any materials
or personal stories to this project, we will
gratefully accept them, giving proper credit.

After a walk around downtown today, we concluded that
there are many historic structures that are reaching
critical points of disrepair, including the Time
Theater and the old Calvary Baptist church. Perhaps
by raising awareness, we can help to ensure that no
other architectural treasures suffer the fate of the
Big Four.

Thanks again to all who expressed their support - time
was just too short.

Chris & Terry

http://home.mchsi.com/~rankin/big4.html


bowens@rypn.org