Benton Harbor, MI - Big Four Facilities

In addition to station facilities, the Big Four and its predecessor lines had other yards and facilities at Benton Harbor.

The railroad had a roundhouse north of the canal.

Notes

Time Line

1911. The Big Four roundhouse, located north of the canal was entirely destroyed by fire. Starting at 8:45 o'clock, flames swept through the wooden building despite the work of the fire department. At midnight the destruction was complete. Four locomotives were destroyed. The cause of the fire was unexplained but it was speculated that "waste" ignited and spread to the oil room. The night foreman and one helper were at the building when the fire started. The fireman had been jacking an engine box under one locomotive. As he crawled out from under the engine he smelled smoke and saw flames lapping the sidewalls and spreading fast. After discovering the flames, the foreman rushed to the office telephone. He lost his personal effects, so quickly did the flames spread. The one-half story fame building, built in semi-circle effect, was doomed. The building was as dry as tinder. [HPAL-1911-0424]