Citizens on both sides of the state line proudly adopted the common name Union City and the town motto, "The Hub of Two States". Although for governmental and tax reasons the communities on either side have their own city governments, schools, police, and fire departments, there is a shared spirit of heritage and community which mutes the separation such that a casual visitor might not even notice that there are really two towns.Interesting fact, for a few decades, residents did not live in the same time zone. Ohio adopted daylight savings time in 1970 but Indiana didn't get around to that until 2005. So for 35 years, when making appointments, everybody in the Union Cities became accustomed to asking, "is that fast time or slow time?"

Both cities share the same logo and motto

1920 Sanborn map from Library of Congress

Walking a block west we arrive at the Indiana Ohio state line.In 1848, five separate railroads announced plans to connect at the Ohio-Indiana State Line where Union city is now located. Such a unique meeting of railroads made the town the most important railroad center in the region almost overnight. Within a few years, there were 16 passenger trains and 22 freight trains arriving and departing Union City every 24 hours.

Indiana Ohio State Line

A two hour stroll through the early history of Union City Indiana - Ohio

Union City Indiana - Ohio Walking Tour of Historical Sites

The main mural shows John Lambert emerging from a covered bridge driving his new invention, the country's first successful horseless buggy. He began test driving his invention around Union City in 1891 and, as you might imagine, it was pretty noisy. The mural depicts a rider clinging on for dear life as his horse rears startled by the noise. We can assume a few folks were not big fans of Lambert's new invention.Depicted in a second mural is the Union Automobile Company factory which Lambert built in Union City in 1901. Approximately 300 Union automobiles were sold from 1901 through 1905. The company also produced trucks, farm tractors and fire engines from 1905 until World War I when the factory was converted to wartime production. After the war, John Lambert saw that the industry was consolidating, so he decided to go into the parts supply business for which he was well equipped with over 600 patents to his name. John Lambert and his factory played a key role in attracting automotive entrepreneurs and manufacturing talent to the area and the automotive industry grew to become the economic backbone of the community for over eight decades.

A couple of tips for for those of you that are taking this tour virtually rather than actually walking. First, you will have a much better experience by looking at the images while listening to the audio playback rather than reading the text. Second, there are two audio playbacks for each tour stop -- an Introduction and a Back Story. You need to click on them individually to get the full tour experience.To begin, find a parking spot near 211 W. Pearl Street. There should be plenty of curbside spots as well as a large lot on the south side of the street.We begin by walking two blocks east. On the north side of the street at 209 E. Elm, we can view murals, done by the noted muralist Pamela Bliss, that pay tribute to an early community entrepreneur, John William Lambert. John Lambert was a pioneer in the technology of what was then called the "horseless carriage" and he is credited with building the first working, gasoline-powered vehicle in America right here in Union City.

Lambert Auto Tribute Murals

The Colonial style is typified by the rectangular and tall building face, large windows, classical detailing and overall symmetry. This is only a one-story building but the high foundation and ceilings create an imposing size.Notice the carved stone columns supporting a wide frieze capped with a scrolled pediment over the entrance. That design goes back to the ancient Greeks who always used columns with a frieze and a pediment over the entrance to their temples. By the way, the acorn symbolizes the promise of growth and incredible potential going back to the old proverb “From the acorn springs the mighty Oak”.Other classical details are there in the clever, matching stone and brickwork above the windows and the entrance which form abstract keystone arches. The brick and stone detailing on the lintels above the windows echo the theme of a classic keystone arch. We’ll see several buildings today the use classical rounded arches. The two flat roofed drop wings with windows sized in proportion to the main building lend to the sense of overall symmetry and dignity. Inside above the front door is a large mural of historical significance. It was commissioned by the Work Progress Administration, or WPA, which was a federal program to create jobs during the Great Depression. The mural, done in classic American Realist style, depicts a scene from around 1920 which is quite fitting to Union City showing neighbors and friends rushing excitedly to greet newly arrived visitors and to admire their new-fangled automobile.

Lets cross the state line here and stop here in front of the post office for a moment.Most of the sites on this tour are buildings that are of notable historical significance because they were built in the late 19th or early 20th centuries and their architectural details have been cited by professionals and governmental agencies as excellent examples of the architectural styles from that period. On this tour we will be describing some of these architectural details in laymen's terms in order to, hopefully, give you all a better appreciation of what makes these buildings historic. Once again, if you are taking the tour virtually, you'll have a much better experience viewing the pictures while listening to the audio narrative.So, here we have the United States Post Office of Indiana Ohio. Built in 1934 during the Great Depression, this building is an elegant example of Colonial Revival style architecture. This style came into vogue in the late 19th century as Americans celebrated the centennial of our country's founding and wanted buildings which honored that period. In 1996, the Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, or DHPA, classified this building as Outstanding for its historical significance.

Union City Post Office 

A broad metal belt course, with a return at the corners visually separates the first and second floors. Three brick pilasters rise the full height of the building and divide the façade into two symmetrical bays. Rough-faced stone blocks accentuate the pilasters at regular intervals through their entire length. In the second story, six more evenly placed pilasters create eight matching bays. Atop the second story pilasters sits a belt of rough-faced stone. Together the pilasters and the stone belt give the impression of columns supporting the massive frieze above. A repeating pattern of bracket-like corbelled brick detailing decorates the frieze which is capped by a slightly projecting corbelled brick cornice. Together the columns, frieze and cornice wrap the corners of the building accentuating its size and grandeur. The marching columns, massive stone and brickwork and large pediment are signatures of the imposing Romanesque style. Italianate details include the eight matching windows, one centered in each 2nd floor bay and the six turrets above the cornice. Looking closely, one can see that the original windows were taller than the present ones and had large transom lights which made the windows impressively tall -- nearly floor-to-ceiling. The six rectangular turrets with tall, narrow windows and pyramidal metal roofs delineate the corners and returns of the cornice and flank the large central pediment upon which is the year "1893” in raised, stone numerals.

Moving west on Pearl street, we are now walking into the heart of the Commercial District which is included in the National Register of Historic places because, like the Post Office, nearly all of the buildings have architectural details from the popular styles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We are going to visit several of the buildings that were cited as particularly notable in the National Register.Here is an interesting building at 216 West Pearl. Built in 1893, this architect used both Italianate and Romanesque styles to enhance the visual appeal of a commercial building. Let me take a moment to explain an architectural term you'll be hearing today. Notice the three raised brick columns that rise to the full height of the building, one on either corner and the other in the center? Architects call these raised column-like features pilasters. Pilasters are decorative and not load bearing unlike true columns.

216 West Pearl Street

With three stories above a full basement, all of the original window and door openings have been retained throughout. The first story façade has wooden pilasters on the corners, two recessed entrances with hexagonal tile floors, fluted columns framing the central display window and a multi-light prismatic glass transom across the width of the entrances and display windows. A dentilled cornice caps the transom and wraps the corner, visually accentuating the street level display front. By the way, the word "dentilled" is from the Latin word "dens" meaning tooth.The second and third floors rise in three bays with tall Gothic arched windows crowned by hoodmoulds of pressed tin. You can always tell a Gothic window because the arch is pointed.Along the roofline, interrupted over the central bay, is a massive widely overhanging decorative metal frieze and cornice. “Kirshbaum” is written in raised stone letters centered above the two second story windows in the central bay. After the building was renovated, the first floor was repurposed as an antique mall and the second floor a museum dedicated to preserving the rich history of manufacturing in Union City. We will be ending our tour near to here so those of you that wish to visit the antique mall and museum will be able to do so.

Walking west to the intersection of Pearl and Columbia streets we find the imposing Raphael Kirshbaum building at the northwest corner. Completed in 1880 it is an outstanding example of the Italianate Commercial style. It is the most faithfully restored commercial building in the district. In 1990 the building was nominated for inclusion into the National Register of Historic places by Ted Leahey on behalf of the Preservation Society of Union City Indiana Ohio and it was accepted into the Register that same year.

201 N. Columbia the Raphael Kirshbaum Building

On the second story here we have a nice example of Romanesque and Italianate styles. The rough-stone block facing and three stone pilasters are Romanesque. So are the fluted pilaster columns supporting a frieze and cornice above the rectangular windows of the left bay. Italianesque details include the rounded arch window on the right with its eight-paned Palladian fanlight and elaborate keystone as well as the widely projecting cornice supported by a series of large fluted and small scrolled brackets which frame nine inset windows together creating a pleasing frieze under the cornice. The turret is also typical Italianate and most likely there was a matching turret on the north corner that has been removed.

The building across the street on Columbia here is worth a mention. This is the Kerr Block building that William Kerr built in 1895. William Kerr was a tinner and he purchased a Tin and Stove store at this location in 1867. He grew his business be one of the largest and finest in the state and in 1896 he built one of the finest homes in town. We'll be visiting that house later in the tour.Proceeding north we come to 207 North Columbia.

207 N. Columbia

Four brick pilasters, one on each corner and a pair in the middle, divide the building into three bays. Rough-faced stone blocks accentuate the pilasters at regular intervals through their entire length. The left and right bays are identical dominated by central, full arch windows with rough-faced stone sills, brick arch springs and large rough-faced stone arches. The original building had large, wooden frame windows within each arch as well as a tall, rectangular window framed by the two central pilasters. Above the windows, bracket-like brick corbelling extends across the entire façade above which is a decorative frieze of inset brick panels and a projecting cornice which crowns the building. Centered on the cornice is a simple pediment inscribed with the date 1893 within the angle; smaller pediments delineate the lateral limits at each end of the cornice.

On the opposite side of the street two doors north is the Grahs Block at 214 North Columbia. The second floor presents a good example of the Romanesque Revival style which was broadly popular in mid-west towns in the late 19th century.

214 N. Columbia the Grahs Block

Proceeding west away from Columbia street, we take our first right into another wide alleyway Two buildings up we find a mural that commemorates the iconic Step Van which was produced by the Union City Body Company which was one of largest and longest-lived manufacturing companies in town. Founded in 1898 to build carriages, buggies and wagons the company began building wooden bodies for the new-fangled horseless carriages being manufactured in and around Union City. Over the years, the Body Company branched out building bodies for such automobiles as Auburn, Duesenberg, Essex and Pierce Arrow as well as commuter and school buses. In the 1950’s the Body Company began a period of explosive growth providing “step van” bodies to all of the major auto manufacturers and, by the 70’s, the company had become the nation’s largest supplier of delivery van bodies for large fleet customers like United Parcel Service.

Continuing north on Columbia street, we take a left into a wide alleyway where we encounter a mural depicting the storefronts as they were right here in the 1950's and 60's. The Sweet Shoppe depicted in the mural was a particular favorite of all ages and it is almost certain that every student attending high school in Union City during this time visited this diner at least once to gather with friends, sip a milk shake or a root beer float and play music on the table-top juke boxes in the booths. If you've ever been in a Johnny Rocket's restaurant which is a throwback tribute to the art deco style of the 50's, well that's what the Sweet Shoppe was like. Think Happy Days the TV series or the diner in Back to the Future One.

Fletcher Street Murals

Two brick pilasters at the corners frame a single bay with three tall, evenly distributed windows. The pilasters have carved limestone bases and are crowned by ornately scrolled, fluted Italianate brackets.  The rounded arch windows with inverted U-shaped decorative hoods are also characteristic of the ornate Italianate style. Running just below the roofline is a frieze comprised of six rounded brick arches visually supported by corbelled brick brackets. These are Romanesque details that have been added for visual appeal. Along the roofline is a plain metal cornice crowned by a large central pediment with raised numerals and the date of construction, 1893.

Proceeding north we exit the Fletcher Street alleyway onto Oak Street. Just across the street to our right is the building at 310 West Oak. The second floor of this building retains notable details of both the Italianate and Romanesque styles.

310 W. Oak Street 

With this house, you can see several examples of architectural additions that make a Victorian a Queen Ann. First is that large, wrap-around porch with a corner tower. Wrap around porches and corner towers are classic signatures of Queen Ann style. This porch is unusually elaborate because they've added fancy Italianate details like those fluted columns on raised foundations of rough-faced stone, that large dentilled cornice and a decorative pediment over the covered entryway.On the second story those tall windows under the gable are typical of Victorian homes. But with this house we have more Italianate detailing, like the U-shaped crown moldings over the windows and the widely projecting cornice supported by scrolled brackets. That decorative detailing is also indicative of Queen Ann style.Now, lets walk around to look at the south-facing side.Here we have a central, two-story wing with a gable roof. On the wing's first floor is a three-sided bay with beautiful, tall windows that have prismatic transom lights. At the roofline, we can see the widely overhanging decorative cornice has wrapped from the front and above this wing.Beside the wing is a one-story octagonal tower with a steep bell tower roof. Each face of the tower has a tall window with dressed stone sills and lintels.The wing, the tower and the bay window with their Italianate details are significant features making this a Queen Ann style Victorian.

As we walk back to Columbia street and turn north we quickly leave the old commercial district behind. We are entering the residential district where many of the wealthiest folks built their homes in the late 19th and early 20th century. Our next stop is the home at 323 North Columbia street which is a beautifully restored example of Victorian Queen Ann style.Some of you might wonder what's the difference between plain old Victorian and Queen Ann Victorian. Well, all Victorian houses have a steep gabled, or what is commonly called "A-frame", roof with at least one window centered under the gable. Victorians also have a porch in front with a balustrade railing and usually the entry door will be to one side. So, as we can see, this house has all of those basic components.When wealthy folks began to add fancy and expensive architectural features to their homes, the name Queen Ann came to be used to indicate that a Victorian home has several of these elaborate and expensive features.

323 N. Columbia house

We should also give a shout out to Andrew Carnegie the self-made Scottish immigrant who led the expansion of the American steel industry to become one of the richest men in America. Over the last 18 years of his life, he gave away almost 90 percent of his fortune to charity, and a large chunk of that went to building 1,679 public libraries across the country including this one. Andrew Carnegie is rightly referred to as the father of the American public library system.The interior of the library is Neoclassical in style with its symmetry, massive size and substantial classical details. As we enter the vestibule, we see matching seven panel oak doors to either side which retain their original brass knob with a raised, Classical shell motif. As we mount the steps to the imposing circulation desk, we see a network of Tuscan marble and polished oak columns rising to support polished oak beams in the high ceiling, making the circulation area almost monumental. Classical symmetry is maintained as the two sides around the circulation area mirror each other with their tall windows, open stacks, half-walls delineating the reading rooms, corner offices and even matching steam radiators along the half walls which are decorated with a Classical shell motif. The doors to the offices have heavy classical moldings. Overall, we can see that the Neoclassical style emphasizes mass and size with relatively little ornamentation.As we leave the building along the path leading northwest, lets take a detour across the lawn and visit the statue of the Hon. Judge Jeremiah Smith who planned the Indiana side of town and recorded the plat for it in 1849.In 2004 the library was nominated for inclusion into the National Register of Historic Places by Catherine R. Compton, Russell W. Archer, &amp; Ellen Thackery on behalf of the Preservation Society of Union City Indiana Ohio

Continuing north one block, across the street is the Carnegie Public Library. Built in 1904 in the Neoclassical Revival style, the library is arguably the most impressive building in Union City or even the entire county. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The library was built on the grounds of the city park which was the focal point of the most upscale residential neighborhood in town.The signature of Neoclassical style, which is derived from ancient Greek temples, is a columned portico that matches the height of the building and is capped by a frieze, cornice and pediment. Here the portico has four classical Corinthian columns supporting a stone frieze engraved with "Carnegie Library" topped by a dentilled cornice with a large, decoratively carved wooden pediment. On top of the pediment is a finial with a sphere and scrolls most likely to symbolize the knowledge of the world to be preserved within these walls.The massive walls rise in alternating courses of rough-faced and dressed limestone block topped with a wide, plain wooden frieze, a dentilled cornice and a quite substantial carved wooden balustrade. While the building appears quite tall, it is only one story. The height is enhanced by a full-height basement and unusually high ceilings inside. Above the exterior windows and the door we see a flat arch of rough-faced limestone block with a smooth keystone.The Neoclassical style emphasizes practical usage, vertical height and massive stone-work with minimal elaborate ornamentation – quite the opposite of Queen Ann style. If the library is open we should definitely go inside. It is worth a visit.

408 N. Columbia Carnegie Public Library

Here again we see the signature characteristics of the Queen Anne style -- the asymmetric floorplan and silhouette, the wraparound porch, a three-story tower with a steep roof, bay windows with gable roofs and classical detailing in the columns and balustrade of the porch, the pediment over the entrance, the dentilled cornice over the porch, and the stone sills and lintels on the windows.

Walking to the northwest corner of the park we come to the intersection of Columbia and Division streets. Diagonally across the intersection at 501 North Columbia is one of the finest old homes in town. It is an impressive example of the Queen Ann style Victorian. This house was built in 1896 by William Kerr, the prominent businessman that built the Kerr Block buildings across from the Kirshbaum building.This home was submitted for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places by Susan Judelle Hufford in 1987 and officially entered into the register that same year.

501 N. Columbia Street the Kerr House

Key signatures of the Colonial Revival style are on display here with the frontal symmetry and height, the rounded portico with classical Corinthian columns and the hipped roof with a centered dormer window. While the off-center entrance, the full width porch and the rectangular second story sun room are departures from standard Colonial style, they are richly embellished with classical details that match and complement the house giving it rather unique character. By the way, make special note of the dormer windows and its pediment style roof. I think we'll see another example of that on the tour.

Walking west one block on Division street, we turn left at the intersection with Howard street. On our left at 418 North Howard is an elaborate example of a Colonial Revival style home built in the 1920's. While the post office was Colonial style, the classical ornamentation was relatively muted. With this home, classical embellishments abound probably reflecting the exuberance of the Roaring 20's. In 1996, the Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, or DHPA, classified this building as Outstanding for its historical significance .

418 N. Howard House

Those fancy rounded window treatments above the door and windows are also Gothic style They are called tracery windows. The heavy stone surround of the door and stone crowns over the windows are a tribute to the predominant building material of medieval times.Walking a few steps south we can take a look at the southern side of the building.The challenge for medieval masons was to have large windows in the walls and yet keep them strong enough to support the massive weight above. They solved the problem by using external buttresses. Here we see prominent brick pediments rising at the corners and between the windows symbolizing external buttresses. Those angled limestone blocks at intervals along the pediments show the direction of the support -- up and in.

We continue south on Howard street to the intersection with Hickory street, and turn right. Half a block down on the left, the St. Mary's Catholic church comes into view. Built in 1891, this church is a beautiful example of the Gothic Revival style. The Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, or DHPA, classifies this building as Outstanding for its historical significance.The Gothic Cathedral style is a throwback to medieval times as Europe emerged from the dark ages and kings and bishops competed for God's favor building majestic cathedrals that emphasized height and vertical lines. Unlike the classical temples which had no openings in the interior walls, medieval builders sought to maximize interior light using many, large windows. Here we see the Gothic style in the sleek verticality of the building, doors and windows emphasized by pointed arches.

St Mary's Church

Walking back north to Hickory street we turn left. One half block down the rear grounds of The Union City School come into sight. For over 90 years this area was the playground for Union City's school children. Lets walk around to the front.This school was built in 1920 on the site of the previous school which had been destroyed in a fire. This building is of historical significance as a physical connection to the time of consolidating public education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also of significance for its striking and well preserved architectural craftsmanship, both inside and out, which was used widely in rural schools of the era. The Union City School was nominated for inclusion into the the National Register of Historic Places by Ron Ross, an architect from Fort Wayne, in 2010 and it was accepted into the Register that same year.As you can see, the exterior of the school is largely inspired by Neoclassical style with it's imposing rectangular face, pilaster columns, and a substantial parapet of simply patterned brickwork above the windows. Massive, round arch entrances step forward on either end with muted yet elegant limestone detailing and carvings representing the Torch of Knowledge that is being passed on within these walls.

Union City Public School

On first impression, this is a Neoclassical Revival style home given the tall portico with classic Corinthian columns, arched windows, the substantial yet simply adorned frieze and cornice that wrap the top of the wall, and the dormer window with pediment roof appearing to crown the portico.Upon further inspection, we can see the strong Colonial Revival influence in the broad brick face unbroken by pilasters, a bay window above the door, sidelights on the door, multi-paned windows, a hipped roof with dormer windows on three sides and two matching brick chimneys on either side.Take a good look at that dormer window in the roof. It is virtually identical to the one we saw at the Colonial Revival house at 418 North Plum. They both have an elaborately carved pediment-style roof supported by a frieze broken in the middle with a multi-paned fanlight and a keystone arch over that window. On each side, the sashes are framed to appear as multi-paned gothic windows. It would be interesting to hear the story of how both these houses came to have such unusual identical windows.Symmetry and size are characteristics of both the Colonial and Neoclassical styles and in this building they have been melded nicely to complement and enhance the overall visual appeal.

Walking eastward along Oak street we come to the intersection with Plum. On our left, we have a home at 506 W. Oak that was built in 1915. This house is rated by the state of Indiana as Outstanding for its historical significance reflecting architectural styles that were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

506 W. Oak mix of Neoclassical and Colonial Revival

Looking south across Oak street we have our last and richest example of Gothic Revival style, the Wesley United Methodist church. Both sides of this building, facing onto Oak street as well as Plum street, are replete in rich Gothic detail.This church reflects all of the signature Gothic Revival features that we've already discussed. In addition, it has retained its steeple roof above the tower and, most notably, the exterior walls and elaborate trim have been done with stone which was the primary building material of the Gothic masons.The lavish use of beautiful stained glass is another Gothic detail that distinguished the richest cathedrals in the latter part of the medieval period.Finally notice how major portions of the building have been stepped out so rather than a flat face it is asymmetrical. That is also a characteristic of Gothic Revival.For its size, this church is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival style to be found anywhere in Indiana and, perhaps, in America.

Looking east across the street toward downtown we have the Christian church built in 1901 another fine example of Gothic Revival style.Rather than the brick was saw with the St. Mary's church, this exterior has been done in smooth stucco. However, once again we can see the key signatures of Gothic Revival style, -- the emphasis on steep verticality, pointed Gothic arches over the openings, abundant windows, tracery treatments at the top of the windows and pediments symbolizing exterior buttresses strengthening the walls.This building is also classified as of Outstanding historical significance by the Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology.

Christian and Methodist Churches intersection of Oak and Plum

Viewing this house from either Pearl street or Plum street, we have mirror image facades that both display all of our signature Queen Ann features -- an impressive, three-story tower at the corner, two story bays with gable pediment roofs, a wrap around porch with classic columns and dentilled cornice and classic porticos with columns and a pediment over the entrances.At some point, the owner of this home decided to enclose the wrap around porch which is certainly practical and has been done in a way that complements the classical appearance and adds character.

Now we head south along Plum street we come to the intersection with Pearl street. On our right is the last house on our tour. Built around 1900, this house is a very fine and interesting example of Queen Ann style Victorian. It is classified as of Outstanding historical significance by the Indiana Department of Historical Preservation and Archaeology.

502 W. Pearl  House

The noted muralist, Pamela Bliss, was commissioned to create the mural, a tribute to our servicemen and women on land, sea and air with images reminiscent of all conflicts of the 20th century.The life-sized statue, created by Joshua Shepherd, depicts an exhausted soldier carrying his wounded comrade from the battlefield.

Walking east now we come to the the intersection of Pearl and Howard streets and turn right. On our right is the Military Tribute park dedicated to honor and remember all those who've served and protected us in branches of the United States' armed forces.In 2020, the Military Tribute Park was created through a collaboration of Union City Mayor Chad Spence, The Preservation Society of Union City Indiana Ohio, American Legion Post #158 and other members of the community notably Ted Leahey, Greg Hufford and Todd Landess.

Military Tribute Park

The Depot's design is reminiscent of the Prairie school architecture of the era, with its large, overhanging eaves, buff brick construction, and narrow windows used in groups. If you're a fan of old western movies, then you've seen train stations that look like this before.The interior has been renovated as the headquarters for the Art Association of Randolph County and contains an exhibition area, theater, and a museum of railroad memorabilia. Also on the building grounds are the original ticket booth and a refurbished caboose visitors can go inside to inspect.

Let's walk around the corner here toward the tracks and visit The Union City Passenger Depot and Train Exhibit. The depot and it's exhibits preserve Union City's last physical links to the railroads which were largely responsible for the community's founding and prosperity for over 100 years.The Passenger Depot was built in 1913, and nominated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places by Stephen Hoffman, an architectural student, and Brad Wilks, a journalist, on behalf of the Art Association of Randolph County. It was accepted into the National Register in 1983.

Union City Passenger Depot and Train Exhibit

Walking east along the tracks, we see the band shell in the northeast corner of the park. This is a frequent gathering place where the community comes year round to enjoy free concerts, entertainment and other community events.Directly in front of us we approach a large mural commemorating some major players in the history of the Union Cities. On the left is an Auburn automobile from the 1930's. The Union City Body company built the bodies this car. In the center is a tribute to the Lambert automobile which was manufactured in Union City from 1901 to 1918. And of course to the right, a tribute to the railroads which meant so much to the town. In the last car, there is a tribute to the McCoys, a rock band from Union City whose rendition of the song "Hang on Sloopy" was one of the most popular songs nationwide in 1965This mural graces the back of the Old Hotel which is our next and final stop on this tour.

Walking east across Howard Street we come to Artisan Crossing park. Here at the southwest corner of the park we find the Depot's old working mate, the Railroad Switching Tower. Built around the same time as the depot, these two structures partnered to watch over the safety and comfort of countless passengers and trains for nearly 40 years.In 2020, when city residents learned of the railroad's plans to demolish the old tower, an upswelling of community pride resulted in a crowd-funding effort that raised over $57,000 to have the tower moved one block to its present location near the depot. Here it stands in its original posture overlooking the tracks.The tower's exterior was restored to working condition and architectural features of note include a hipped roof with wide eaves in the Prairie style, double hung windows with limestone sills and a second story three sided Oriel window. Oriel is the name architects use for a bay window when it projects from the wall but does not reach down to the foundation.

Artisan Crossing

In the 1960's the town removed the upper two stories of the hotel to save on maintenance costs. In the 1990's when talk began of razing the remainder of the building to make way for a parking lot citizens of Union City stepped in through the Preservation Society to salvage and restore the crumbling structure preserving the classical arched windows and entrance which were signatures of the original structure. Today the Old Hotel houses the city's historical museum where students and visitors come to learn about the rich history of The Hub City.If we're lucky, Mr. Ted Leahey, an officer of the Preservation Society, will be here to show us around or even do one of his reenactments of historical characters from Union City's past. Don't tell him, but for us youngsters born in the 1950's, Mr. Leahey himself is a beloved historical character.

Fittingly, our tour ends at the Old Hotel, an historical building unto itself which houses the main town museum that is curated by the Preservation Society of Union City Indiana Ohio.Built around 1840, the Old Hotel was one of the first significant buildings in this area. It was originally built to house the railroad workers who were completing the juncture of several major rail lines connecting from here to Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis and many cities in between. From the 1850's on, it is safe to assume that the Old Hotel was a quite lively place. Oh if it could only speak, what stories it could surely tell.

Union City Indiana - Ohio Walking Tour of Historical Sites

Indiana Ohio State Line

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context