As it was: Baker Street and the Pennsylvania Railroad

This photograph shows the scope of the Pennsylvania Railroad between South Calhoun and Fairfield Boulevards in a time period variously estimated to be from the mid-1940's to the early 1950's.

The Baker Street train station can be seen in the middle of the photograph. The old Wabash station may be seen on the south side of the tracks to the east of Harrison Street.  Note what seems to be an old steam locomotive above the Harrison Street elevation.

Of course, many of the homes located in the lower right of the photo have been torn down and are located on what has been proposed as the site of the Harrison Square project.

The image was found by local photographer Robert Pence as he was archiving photos in the collection of First Presbyterian Church.  Fort Wayne Observed has previously published photos taken by Mr. Pence and we strongly urge to visit his website to view more of his outstanding photos.

"Bob Smith - Journal-Gazette" is stamped on the back.  Fort Wayne Observed is publishing this photograph with the permission of The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette.  While The Journal-Gazette does not have current records confirming that Mr. Smith took this photograph for the newspaper, Fort Wayne Observed requested copyright permission from The Journal-Gazette for limited use of the photograph.

Comments

[Dave White]

I see two steam engines, one caboose, some passenger coaches or perhaps they could be maintenance of way cars, the final fate of a lot of old passenger coaches. I say that only because they appear to be setting all by themselves.

The steam engine on the Wabash appears to be a yard engine but the other on the Pennsylvania Railroad looks as though it is a road engine.

I wonder if there's another overhead picture of the Nickel Plate or the PRR shops, where today's post office is.

[Janell Dishong]

His web site is terrific. Great pictures of Fort Wayne and surrounding area! Thanks for the heads up!