lumber was a large part of the economy. The Farver brothers operated several sawmills. When they moved into
5” was Davis Town and on the west
the eastside town with a large planing
side was Summey Town. Davis actumill and lumber yard the railroad put
ally left a 150 foot strip of land from
in a stitch line back to the mill. In adMiddlebury Street north to the elevadition to the men working in the mill,
tor to insure that the towns would
it took a large number of log haulers
remain separated. It was only after
to keep the mill running. As a result
his death that the strip known as “No
of the railroad, Shipshewana became
Man’s Land” was laid out in lots and
somewhat of a boom town complete
sold at auction.
with a bank, two elevators, a weekly
Had it not been for the railroad
newspaper, three blacksmith shops
and the commerce it generated, Shipshewana would have remained divided. and four saloons. Old timers also tell
of the “house of ill repute” among the
In those early days of Shipshewana,
All Aboard ... cont. from pg 16
Main Street
saloons.
On March 28, 1903, the St. Joseph
Valley Traction Company was chartered. It was one of numerous electric
railways that were projected between
Chicago and Toledo. The Lake Shore
Line is one of the few that survived.
No stocks or bonds were ever issued;
the new railroad was financed entirely
by Elkhart millionaire H.E. Bucklen as
a hobby. The Valley Line, as it came to
be known, was to be an 80 mile link between South Bend and Pioneer, Ohio.
The Pioneer connection would be with
the Toledo & Western Railroad.
John Weirich at the depot
Spring Sale
Friday, April 20 • 8-6 & Saturday, April 21 • 8-3
Ham Sandwiches • Coffee • Pop • Donuts • Door Prizes
15% Off
Some Bikes
Check out the new Sun
7 Speed Step Through Bicycle
5% off
Speedmaster
Lowrider
10% Off
Storewide
~ Except Used Bikes ~
Just 2 miles south of Pumpkinvine Trail.
Rent a kiddie cart for the Pumpkinvine Trail.
KHS • Raleigh • Bike Trailers • Diamond Back • Sun Recumbents
Speedmaster Lowrider: Manufactured in our shop!
~ Choice black, red or blue ~ Aluminum frame ~ Rear Disk Brake
~ Powder Coated Paint ~ underseat or aboveseat steering
~ 700-C Rear Wheel ~ Suspension Fork ~ 1-year Warranty
pg 20 · The Hometown Treasure · Apr. ‘12
pg 20 · The Hometown Treasure · Apr. ‘12
Devon Bontrager • 574-825-0264
60152 CR37 • Middlebury, IN 46540
Hours: Monday - Friday 8-5 • Closed Saturday & Sunday