Front View of Thomas House

Ward-Thomas Museum

Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums

Five images of buildings and grounds

Railroad Stations in Niles, Ohio

The Pennsylvania Railroad, Erie Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad

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Old Erie RR Depot.

Old Erie RR Depot.

Old Erie RR Depot.
The New Lisbon branch RR, incorporated in 1864 and opened in 1870, ran from Niles to New Lisbon and merged in 1872 into the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley RR.

It was leased to the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio railroad which built this frame station (1872) and in 1880 became part of the Erie RR.

The station was located on Mahoning Street (formerly Depot Street) just west of Pratt Street. Around 1915 the station was demolished when the Erie railroad replaced it with a larger brick station.

This brick station, opened in 1915, was located on Mahoning Street (formerly Depot Street) just west of Pratt Street.

This brick station, opened in 1915, was located on Mahoning Street (formerly Depot Street) just west of Pratt Street. It was the most luxurious in Niles, constructed of brick and was a fine example of 19th century Western Stick architecture.
This station was demolished in 1981.
PO1.1459

Erie Railroad Station was the most

The Erie Railroad Station on Mahoning Avenue shortly before it was demolished in 1981. Photo 1968. S11.176

Railroad Stations in Niles, Ohio
The Erie Railroad Station – Origin and Demise.
Headline in the Niles Daily News Tuesday May 26, 1914.

McKinley Memorial Birthplace Committee Secures a New Erie Depot
Conference last week in New York Brings about desired result.
Niles Man may be thanked for new improvement.
Harry M. Stevens of this city–the real promoter
Youngstown and Warren outdistanced in the securing of accommodations for traveling public–Site will soon be decided upon.

“It is given out today from an authentic source that Niles is to have a modern depot which will be the gift of the McKinley Memorial Association decided upon at a meeting held at the office of John G. Milburn in New York City last Friday.

During his last visit to his home in this city, Harry M. Stevens, while in conference with C.S. Thomas of the Board of Trade and W.A. Thomas of the McKinley Birthplace Memorial Association, divulged the plans which he had perfected whereby the city could procure a new Erie depot that would be in keeping with the progress of the city when the group plan of buildings around the Memorial is perfected. Messrs. Thomas were impressed with the solution offered by their fellow townsman and agreed to attend a meeting with Fred Underwood, President of the Erie, at any time Mr. Stevens would arrange. At this meeting, J.G. Butler, W.A. Thomas, Wade A. Taylor, Harry M. Stevens and Chas.S. Thomas were in attendance with Mr. Underwood, General Manager of the Erie and also Attorney Orcutt, head of the legal department.

During the meeting, which was held Friday, Mr. Underwood gave the Nilesites to understand that is was solely through the influence of his friend, Mr. Stevens, that he had accepted the offer of the Memorial Association and consented to the changes which will be necessitated by the acceptance of the proposal made by the Association.”

Erie Railroad Depot Demolished.

The last passenger train to board paying customers here was the Youngstown-Cleveland commuter service. It made its last runs on January 14, 1977. Prior to that, such Erie-Lackawanna passenger trains as the Lake Cities, Atlantic Express/Pacific Express and the Phoebe Snow called here. The last of those was the Lake Cities, which was discontinued in January 1970.

A wrecking crew made quick work of the old Erie Railroad Depot on Mahoning Avenue Monday morning, closing another chapter of Niles’ prosperous history. For many, the end of a familiar brick structure came as inevitable-not a pleasant thought but one that was bound to happen. “We realized it was going to go…but we didn’t know when,” explained Niles Historical Society President Nancy Sandin Monday afternoon.
“The society had at one time entertained the thought of moving the depot and restoring it to its former grandeur”, she said, “but in reality the project would have been too costly, among other factors”. The fact that the building was brick would have made moving it virtually impossible, unlike a wooden structure, and there would also have been the problem of where to put it.

Zoning inspector, Melvin Rose, who issued a demolition permit to Asphalt Specialists out of Girard last week, said that the building was in “fairly decent” shape and that it was structurily sound, however, “ there wasn’t much that could be done with it”, he said.

Its location, at the intersection of Mahoning Avenue and Pratt Street, was ideal during the railroad’s heyday but that any thoughts of restoring the building at its present location were slim. One discouraging factor was the lack of adequate parking space, but then the depot was built when trains were a popular means of travel.

The depot, which apparently was built in the early 1900s, was a source of pride for Niles in those early days. Local history books proclaim that during the heyday of passenger trains, the Erie station on Mahoning Avenue was the “most luxurious” in Niles and it was considered a fine example of 19th century (ed. Western Stick) architecture.

On behalf of the Niles Historical Society, Mrs. Sandin said, “The society feels very badly about it. It bothers me that we couldn’t do something,” referring to depots in other communities that have been restored into quaint restaurants and shops.
The depot was located on Conrail property and it was the railroad company’s decision that the structure be finally torn down. Conrail did not make public Monday the exact reasons why or future plans for the site, if any. The building inspector said the demolition by Conrail was done voluntarily.
Niles Daily Times........................................................................December 18, 1984
Robin West, Assistant City Editor


Erie Rail Road passenger station was near Langley Street and the Niles Firebrick factory.

The Erie Rail Road passenger station was near Langley Street and the Niles Firebrick factory.
See map at bottom. P11.8

The Erie Depot has been boarded up prior to its demolition n 1981.

The Erie Depot had been boarded
up prior to its demolition in 1981.

VS

WWII draftees standing in front of the Erie Railroad Depot, November, 1943:
John Kosance, ?Parker, unknown, Jim Petrilla, Ray Sanfrey, and Joseph Guerra.


 
Architect Drawings of New Erie Railroad Station on Mahoning Avenue. Architect Drawings of New Erie Railroad Station on Mahoning Avenue.

Niles soldiers going to the service. 1918…This photo was taken at the old Erie Train Station
P11.13

(L) Niles soldiers going to the service. 1918…This photo was taken at the old Erie Train Station, My Grandfather (William Harris) and his brother, Frederick Kent Harris were on the train. The train was taking new draftees for processing in 1918. Their father (Frederick Harris) is seen left-of-center, next to the woman with the white collar — Richard Harris

(R) A small part of the crowd at the Erie Railroad train station when the Niles boys left for Chillicothe, Ohio for WWI. Dated Sept. 21,1917.

A small part of the crowd at the Erie Railroad train station when the Niles boys left for Chillicothe, Ohio for WWI.
PO1.1447


The American Railway Express.

The American Railway Express operated at the Erie Railroad Depot on Mahoning Avenue in Niles, Ohio. Charles Robinson, carrying a pistol in a holster, is featured with his horse and delivery wagon. Goods that arrived at the station would be delivered throughout the city. PO1.2022

Steam locomotive and tender of the Erie Rail Road as it crosses over County Line Road in Mineral Ridge.

Steam locomotive and tender of the
Erie Rail Road as it crosses over
County Line Road in Mineral Ridge.
P11.42

Erie Rail Road caboose as it crosses over County Line Road in Mineral Ridge.

Erie Rail Road caboose as it crosses over County Line Road in Mineral Ridge. P11.41


An early view of the Pennsylvania Railroad passenger station, which was located on South Main Street near the Mahoning River.

An early view of the Pennsylvania Railroad passenger station, which was located on South Main Street near the Mahoning River.

The Niles Firebrick Company is in the background. PO1.1460

Penn station in the snow, located on the east side of the viaduct with the Mahoning River on the right side.

Penn station in the snow, located on the east side of the viaduct with the Mahoning River on the right side. See map at bottom Photo 1950 P11.174

1978 view of the Pennsylvania Railroad passenger station.
1978 view of the Pennsylvania
Railroad passenger station.
S11.178


An aerial view of the Niles Firebrick kilns looking west with the Mahoning River and Pennsylvania Railroad stations and yard on the left side.

An aerial view of the Niles Firebrick kilns looking west with the Mahoning River and Pennsylvania Railroad stations and yard on the left side. PO2.474

Pennsylvania Station and railyards on South Main Street with the Mahoning River on the right and Niles Firebrick in background center.
Pennsylvania Station and railyards on
South Main Street with the Mahoning River
on the right and Niles Firebrick in
background center.See map at bottom.
PO1.1427

The Pennsylvania Railroad yard.
The Pennsylvania Railroad yard. Photo 1950. P11.164


Pennsylvania Railroad Station, 1974.

Pennsylvania Railroad Station, 1974.
Abandoned Niles Firebrick buildings in background.
S11.179

View showing the PRR crossing at South Main Street and Water Street.

View showing the PRR crossing at
South Main Street and Water Street.CA 1930

Object in foreground is water standpipe
for filling tender, crossing gate tower
and water tower are in background.
PO1.1461

 

Photograph taken from the viaduct looking to the west. Seen are St. Stephen Church and the Nun's home, and St. Stephen school.

Photograph taken from the viaduct looking to the west. Seen are St. Stephen Church and the Nun's home, and St. Stephen school.

PRR Water tower on left side. Photo 1950. PO11.170

 


The B&O railroad was located on the north side of Church Street. It ran through Niles as early as 1874. It later expanded taking in the Ashtabula & Pittsburgh line and the Painesville & Youngstown line

See map at bottom. PO1.1458

(L): The B&O railroad was located on the north side of Church Street. It ran through Niles as early as 1874. It later expanded taking in the Ashtabula & Pittsburgh line and the Painesville & Youngstown line.

Prior to 1953, State Street did not intersect with Robbins Avenue. The curved street is Church Street which did intersect Robbins.

(R): B&O Freight Station in 1966.
The Rose Building Complex on Robbins Avenue is in the left background.

B&O Freight Station in 1966.

S11.175


The new B&O railroad at Crow Orchard about 1902. The RR was constructed in 1902 and its landfill covered the historic Salt Springs which attracted early settlers to the valley.

The new B&O railroad at Crow Orchard about 1902. The RR was constructed in 1902 and its landfill covered the historic Salt Springs which attracted early settlers to the valley. PO1.1457

Waiting at the RR station for the train.

Waiting at the RR station for the train.
No date or other information available.
PO1.1463

Someone got their signals mixed and the result must have been an ear-splitting crash as these two behemoths met head on near Niles.

Someone got their signals mixed and the result must have been an ear-splitting crash as these two behemoths met head on near Niles. Unable to determine whether the wreck was on the Painesville and Youngstown RR or the PRR& Western RR as both ran through Niles. PO1.1455


Old Pennsylvania steam locomotive No. 9005.

Old Pennsylvania steam locomotive No. 9005. This was an 060 type engine. It had no front truck, 6 drive wheels and no trailing trucks. This type of engine was used for short hauls and yard work. Notice the "derby" hats on two of the maintenance crew. PO1.1464

The Fifth Avenue Iron Bridge with its wooden roadway provided access over the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks that followed the Mahoning River.

The Fifth Avenue Iron Bridge with its
wooden roadway provided access over the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks that followed
the Mahoning River.
P11.223C

 

In 1953 the North Main Street Underpass project was completed.

In 1953 the North Main Street Underpass project was completed. This allowed cars and trucks to continually travel the roadway without having to wait at an elevated railroad crossing for passing trains. The Erie and B&O trackseach had their own bridge overpass. S11.254


In 2011 the piers supporting the Iron bridge were damaged by a train and a new replacement bridge was constructed over the railroad tracks.

In 2011 the piers supporting the Iron bridge were damaged by a train and a new replacement bridge was constructed over the railroad tracks at the end of Fifth Avenue. P11.224A

Postcard view of Pennsylvania Railroad

Postcard view of Pennsylvania Railroad
Train, No. 237, leaving Niles, Ohio.

Pennsylvania Railroad tracks and crossing along the Mahoning River, 2012.

Pennsylvania Railroad tracks and crossing along the Mahoning River near the Ohio Edison plant, 2012. P11.273


Pennsylvannia Railroad engine# 7882.

Pennsylvannia Railroad engine# 7882.
Eaton Anderson & Forsythe, yard crew.
P01.2057

Railway Express employees.

Railway Express employees.
Note holstered pistol.
S03.249

PRR passenger and freight station.

PRR passenger and freight station.
See map at bottom. Photo 1976.
S11.180


Location of B&O Yard on 1918 map.

Location of B&O Yard on 1918 map.

Location of Erie station on 1918 map.

Location of Erie station on 1918 map.

Location of PRR yard on 1918 map.

Location of PRR yard on 1918 map.



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