DESHLER, Ohio — After years of neglect, the former Baltimore & Ohio railroad station in Deshler, the community known as “Crossroads of the B&O,” is coming down.
The building last saw a passenger train in 1971, has been closed since the 1990s, and was damaged by a coal hopper in an April 2002 derailment. The Toledo Blade, in a February article, had been told by CSX Transportation that the structure was scheduled for demolition this year. A local historical society approached the railroad in 1993 about buying the building, but was told the L-shaped brick structure would have to be moved from its current location. The cost then was estimated at $100,000, more than the society had available.
The building sits at the northwest quandrant of the diamond at Deshler, where two CSX lines — the former main line and the former Toledo Line — cross. A railfan park sits on the southwest side of the diamond. DR Tower, closed since 1988, is in the northeast quandrant and remains in use by CSX maintenance-of-way crews.
— Updated at 3:20 p.m. CDT to correct photo credit.
It made an interesting backdrop for photos. A shame.
The demo stated in earnest this morning ~ 10:18AM ET. 35 minutes later, nothing but a pile of rubble. You can watch it here: https://virtualrailfan.com/free/
I think I spent time here in 1965, in the middle of the night, connecting from Detroit to DC. Coming from East Lansing I missed the connection with the Ambassador in Detroit, so had to do that to get home.
My son Matthew took the photo.He used my camera though.The locals did try to save it before the derailment but no on stepped up with the big donation.After the derailment there was too much damage.
This once beautiful station should have been preserved. A fence could have been installed to keep people away from the tracks.