The Tower is Ours

The Interlocking Tower that controlled train
 traffic at the Broad Street Crossing is 
now on Griffith Historical Society property just 
across the tracks from the original site.  
The move was completed on July 20, 2000 after
funds were raised by schoolchildren, 
townspeople, businesses various clubs 
and organizations, plus generous contributions 
by the three railroads involved; namely 
the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern, The Grand 
Trunk Canadian National and Union Pacific.

Renovation is under way with the electrical 
work completed in September 2000, thanks 
to the Lake County Electricians and Joint
Apprenticeship and Training Commission and 
NIPSCO .  The upper floor with all the original 
controls will remain as it was during its use.  
The mezzanine and lower floors will be designed as a museum for town memorabilia. 

A handicapped accessible bathroom, heating, 
air conditioning and other renovations will 
be completed as funds become available.  
It is the hope that grants can be secured to 
accomplish these  renovations, but private 
donations would be greatly appreciated. 

The tower stood guard at the Griffith Broad 
Street railroad crossing for75 years before being 
phased out of operation on December 31, 1999. 
It was sold to the Griffith Historical Society, Inc.  
for $1.00 with the provision that it be moved
from railroad property by July 31, 2000. This was
accomplished with only days to spare.

Proudly stretching toward the sky,
     Standing tall.
Heralding all
     The trains that traveled by.
Guiding each that it might reach
     Its destination safely
While shipping goods across the land:
     The tower's role was stately.
Aiding the economy
     And helping this land to grow
By train and rail, from shore to shore.
     Its history, all should know.
Respected in its final hour,
     Let's not forget
Our nation's debt
     To the power of the tower.