M.P. 20.7 - 1st Subdivision - Md

In February of 2002, my mother unfortunately needed hospitalization. She started off in Munster Community. On May 1, 2002, we moved her to St. Margaret's Hospital in Hammond. One day while visiting, the conversation turned to my Grandfather and a trip we made to Hammond back in 1965. Why, I do not remember, but we ended up at the Monon/ Erie depot just south of Douglas Avenue and watched the trains for awhile. Then we spent some time down at the South Hammond Yard doing the same. When I left the hospital that evening, I drove past where I thought the station had been. I was surprised to see the foundation was still standing and some of the tracks were still there. For some reason I had thought that all the track had been torn up years ago when the L & N and later CSX abandoned the line.

First settled in 1851, Hammond was platted in 1875, by M.M. Towle, one of five brothers that operated several businesses, including a hotel, meat packing company and publishing house. Hohman Avenue was named for an early settler, Ernest Hohman. The name Hammond was established April 11, 1873, after George H. Hammond, a Detroit businessman who founded a local slaughterhouse. Hammond was a pioneer in refrigerator cars for shipping his products.

The 1960's provided inexpensive land south of Chicago and led to the development of Hammond. The first indusrty was State Line Slaughter House in 1869, built on a 42 acre tract of land between Hohman Avenue and the state line. George Hammond's brother Tom was instrumental in influencing Standard Steel Car Company to build a plant in Hammond in 1906. Pullman Company bought the plant in 1930 and continued operations until 1981

South Hammond Yard

South Hammond Yard, aproximately 37 acres, two miles south of the downtown Hammond depot was the northern terminal for all freight operations. In 1905 the yard included, a ten stall brick engine house (roundhouse), 75 foot 150 ton turn table, cinder pits, offices, coaling station, water station, track scales and a hotel. Capacity was 1,600 cars.

In 1954 a new freight house was added. Opened May 1, 1954 it replaced one next to Dearborn Station in Chicago. In 1951 the yard was changed. Rearrangement of tracks, heavier rails in the north ladder and respaced for proper clearance. New scales, inspection pits, fuel oil storage, sand dispensing facilities and fire protection.

Elevated crossing tower, circa 1974, 173rd Street crossing. Looking toward the southeast. Landmark Hammond water tower can be seen in background.

  
Turntable south of 173rd.

South end of Hammond Yard, January 1971. Looking north. Kevin Ruble photo.

  

Left: Side view of the Hammond freight house, circa 1980. John Eagan photo. Right: Hammond Freight House, circa early 1970's. Not sure of the exact date on this photo.

Hammond freight house, circa 1955. Note Trailer Maid Service semis and trailers.

Indside the freight house. Photo taken sometime in the 1980's.

Another view of the freight house, circa 1980's. Kevin Ruble photos.

This is a picture of the engine service area at South Hammond. The date is unknown and the picture was sent to me by Cookie Eberhard.

Left and Right: Views of the roundhouse and turntable at South Hammond Yard, circa 1960's.

  

Left and Right: Hammond Yard engine facilities and roundhouse. Date unknown on both pictures. Kevin Ruble photo.

NEW 06-25-2008 Steam activity at South Hammond, 1933. Left: Northbound freight arrives at South Hammond. Left: Southbound Hoosier passes through the yard.

Alco C420, photographed November 21, 1970 at the south Hammond yard. John Strombeck photo.

Action at South Hammond, circa 1958. Left: BL2 #34 working north of the yard, August 1958. Right: Multi lash up of F units on a freight getting ready to leave the South Hammond yard, August 1958.

U-23B #603 on a southbound freight at South Hammond, 1968.

Alco C-420 #507 passing through South Hammond, circa 1969.

  

Left: Yard north of 173rd. Right: Freight house. These pictures and those below were taken from the yard light tower south of 173rd Street. Mark Stanek photo, courtsey of Kevin Ruble.

  

Leaving South Hammond Yard. Looking south, across the Little Calumet River towards Munster and eventually Louisville. Mark Stanek photo, courtsey of Kevin Ruble.

South Hammond Today

South Hammond Yard 2002 looking north from 173rd street.

Another view looking north from 173rd. The mainline and passing track.

South Hammond Yard 2002, looking south toward Borman Expressway and Munster.

South Hammond Yard 2001, looking north.

Looking south from 165th Street. The switch stand to the passing track and yard lead still remains. (For now...That is...)