200@200 : April - Traveling the Crossroads
Date:
15 December 1953
Title:
Souvenir Groundbreaking Shovel, Nickel Plate Elevation
Description:
After the closure of the Wabash and Erie Canal in 1874, the canal bed path through Fort Wayne sat abandoned until it was sold to the Nickel Plate Railroad in 1881 for its road bed. In 1945, it was estimated that 50,000 vehicles a day were delayed by the Nickel Plate train movements. Residents were tired of having to wait for trains and wanted the railroad to "Elevate the Nickel Plate!"

On 15 December 1953 ground was broken on the elevation project. This commemorative shovel was given to attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony. Pictured is Mayor Harry W. Baals at the ceremony. The new elevated railway was opened and dedicated in October 1955, eliminating a major obstacle to north and south traffic through downtown.
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Souvenir Groundbreaking Shovel, Nickel Plate Elevation December 15, 1953Souvenir Groundbreaking Shovel, Nickel Plate Elevation December 15, 1953
Souvenir Groundbreaking Shovel, Nickel Plate Elevation December 15, 1953Souvenir Groundbreaking Shovel, Nickel Plate Elevation December 15, 1953
Mayor Harry Baals at Nickel Plate Elevation GroundbreakingMayor Harry Baals at Nickel Plate Elevation Groundbreaking
Nickle Plate Elevation Over Clinton Street September 6, 1956Nickle Plate Elevation Over Clinton Street September 6, 1956
Car Waiting on Train c. 1940sCar Waiting on Train c. 1940s