Frankfort Roundhouse (Historic Landmarks Foundation 10 Most Endangered since 2004) (Frankfort, Indiana)

 interesting place  Add category

In the age of the iron horse, engines and cars lumbered into the Frankfort Roundhouse for ash removal, lubrication, coal and water replenishment, and repairs. The roundhouse sheltered radiating tracks and stalls, accessed via a rotating turntable. Frankfort’s role as a locomotive and rail car repair hub began in the 1870s. The Frankfort complex includes eight structures, the earliest of which dates from the 1890s, with the 1924 roundhouse dominating the site.

The threat: In spite of its role as a railroad nexus, Indiana has lost nearly all of its roundhouses. Norfolk Southern owns Frankfort’s abandoned Clover Leaf-Nickel Plate Railroad Roundhouse and associated structures. In addition to environmental challenges arising from the property’s long history as an industrial site, the rare steam-age survivor faces accelerating demolition by neglect.

www.historiclandmarks.org/news/2006_10Most/10most06-4.h...