The initial purpose of this project, “Vision to Reality: Monroe’s New Community Library & Restored Southern Pacific (SP) Railroad Freight Depot,” was to pass time during a period of unemployment. Over the weeks and months that followed, I captured over 10,000 images of this construction and restoration project. In addition to capturing all those images, I gained a new respect for this community and everyone who contributed to bringing this vision to reality. The new building was more than just a library, it symbolized the community’s commitment to its past, present and future. As a result my purpose changed from just capturing images to documenting and sharing a remarkable piece of local history.
The scope of this project is to document the construction of the new Monroe Community Library and restoration of the former Southern Pacific Railroad’s freight depot from the perspective of local railroad history and preservation.
Lastly this project is dedicated to the residents of Monroe, Oregon and the surrounding South Benton community. We have the unique opportunity to walk into a new library that celebrates our community’s past, present and future.
Daniel J. Sheets
Chief Photographer, SP Digital Media
Web: spdigitalmedia.com
Email: dan@spdigitalmedia.com
Facebook: facebook.com/spdigitalmediapro
Twitter: twitter.com/spdigitalmedia1
Blog: spdigitalmedia.com/Blog/blog.html
Slideshare: slideshare.net/DanSheets
Instagram: instagram.com/spdigitalmedia
Flickr: flickr.com/photos/danieljsheets
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/sp-digital-media
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Vision to Reality: Monroe's New Community Library & Restored Southern Pacific (SP) Railroad Freight Depot
1. Presented by Daniel J. Sheets
Digital Creative Director | Chief Photographer | Writer | Editor | Blogger | Social Media Specialist | Web Designer
Follow Me
spdigitalmedia.com
dan@spdigitalmedia.com
spdigitalmediapro
spdigitalmedia1
slideshare.net/DanSheets
instagram.com/spdigitalmedia
flickr.com/photos/danieljsheets
spdigitalmedia.com/Blog/blog.html
linkedin.com/company/sp-digital-media
Southern Pacific Railroad’s
South Benton Community Museum
Depot in Monroe, OR - 1915
8. •
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•
•
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•
•
•
Introduction
Monroe Library Facts
Maps of Monroe & the Railroad
Monroe’s Railroad History & Facts
Images of the Railroad & Vicinity (1910-2012)
New Library Construction (June 2012-May 2013)
Library Grand Opening Ceremony (June 2013)
Before & After the New Library Construction
• Acknowledgments & Dedications
9. PURPOSE
•
The initial purpose of this project, “Vision to Reality: Monroe’s New Community Library
& Restored Southern Pacific (SP) Railroad Freight Depot,” was to pass time during a
period of unemployment. Over the weeks and months that followed, I captured over
10,000 images of this construction and restoration project. In addition to capturing all
those images, I gained a new respect for this community and everyone who contributed
to bringing this vision to reality. The new building was more than just a library, it
symbolized the community’s commitment to its past, present and future. As a result my
purpose changed from just capturing images to documenting and sharing a remarkable
piece of local history.
SCOPE
•
The scope of this project is to document the construction of the new Monroe
Community Library and restoration of the former Southern Pacific Railroad’s freight
depot from the perspective of local railroad history and preservation.
DEDICATION
•
This project is dedicated to the residents of Monroe, Oregon and the surrounding South
Benton community. We have the unique opportunity to walk into a new library that
celebrates our community’s past, present and future.
10. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Monroe Library Facts
Maps of Monroe & the Railroad
Monroe’s Railroad History & Facts
Images of Railroad Depot & Vicinity (1910-2012)
New Library Construction (June 2012-May 2013)
Library Grand Opening Ceremony (June 2013)
Before & After the New Library Construction
Acknowledgments & Dedications
11. •
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According to Oregon Library Association
standards, the former library was about onethird the recommended size for its service
area. About 3,200 people visited each month
compared to 800 patrons in 2002.
Beginning in 2007, through fundraising,
grants and private donations about $2.4
million was raised for the new library project.
The previous library, pictured, at 668
Commercial Street, was 1,250 square feet.
The new library is a 7,500 square foot
building located at 380 N. 5th Street; 4,700
square feet will be used for the library.
The new library encompasses elements of
both old and new including the 1913-built
Southern Pacific Railroad freight depot.
An agricultural distributor, Wilbur-Ellis,
donated the depot and the City of Monroe
donated vacant land to build it.
General contractor was 2G Construction of
Eugene and Ed Vaughn was project manager.
Corvallis Gazette Times
• The architect of the new library, Lori Stephens,
drew her inspiration for the library from the
Goracke building, north of Monroe on Hwy. 99.
• It includes a branch of the Benton County library
system and space for community meetings.
• The City of Monroe owns the new library and
Benton County provides the staff and books.
• Construction on the library began on June 19,
2012; the new library opened on May 14, 2013.
12. •
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•
•
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Introduction
Monroe Library Facts
Maps of Monroe & the Railroad
Monroe’s Railroad History & Facts
Images of Railroad Depot & Vicinity (1910-2012)
New Library Construction (June 2012-May 2013)
Library Grand Opening Ceremony (June 2013)
Before & After the New Library Construction
Acknowledgments & Dedications
13. Southern Pacific Railroad‟s
Portland Division, January 1921
Note: Wide angle view of Lower
Westside Branch between Corvallis
and Eugene highlighted in black.
14. Southern Pacific Railroad‟s
Portland Division, January 1921
Note: Bird‟s eye view of Lower
Westside Branch between Eugene
& Corvallis highlighted in black.
15. Portland & Western Railroad‟s
Bailey District, December 1, 2000
Note: Bird‟s eye view of Lower
Westside Branch between
Corvallis, Monroe & Dawson
highlighted in solid blue.
Map Courtesy of Portland & Western
Railroad.
16. Map Courtesy of Union Pacific Railroad; Map Markers by SP Digital Media
17. Map Courtesy of Union Pacific Railroad; Map Markers by SP Digital Media
18. •
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Introduction
Monroe Library Facts
Maps of Monroe & the Railroad
Monroe’s Railroad History & Facts
Images of Railroad Depot & Vicinity (1910-2012)
New Library Construction (June 2012-May 2013)
Library Grand Opening Ceremony (June 2013)
Before & After the New Library Construction
Acknowledgments & Dedications
19. In 1908, Stephen Carver’s Corvallis & Alsea River
Railroad Company extended tracks 30 miles south
from Corvallis to Monroe, Alpine and Glenbrook.
Originally he intended the railroad to continue to
Alsea and on to the Pacific Coast, however the
Panic of 1909 prevented Carver from securing
adequate credit to complete the Corvallis & Alsea
River Railroad in this way.
-- From Stations West, The Story of the Oregon Railways by Edwin D. Culp
20. In 1911, Alvadore Welch purchased the line from
Stephen Carver and renamed it Portland, Eugene
& Eastern Railroad Company. Welch also acquired
the streetcar systems of Salem, Albany, West Linn
and Eugene with the bold idea of using these lines
as the nucleus for an electric railroad between
Portland and San Francisco. This plan would never
come to fruition and, in 1912, Welch sold the line
to Southern Pacific Railroad.
-- From Stations West, The Story of the Oregon Railways by Edwin D. Culp
21. South Benton Community Museum
Newspaper articles courtesy of South Benton Community Museum, Monroe, OR
23. South Benton Community Museum
Large white house on left is the second Wilhelm House circa 1920. The
original house was also located on the left, just beyond the new house.
Courtesy of South Benton Community Museum, Monroe, OR
25. • Monroe’s depot was built by Southern Pacific (SP) Railroad in
1913 and originally measured 25 by 138 feet;
• It appears to be a modified SP Style Combination Type 23 depot,
which included a passenger station, restrooms, ticket agent’s
counter in southern third of the building, and a baggage room in
the northern two-thirds of the structure;
• Initially, beginning in 1913, passenger service was offered daily
between Corvallis and Eugene (via Monroe, Transfer and Blair).
• Passenger service ceased with the Red Electrics’ demise in 1932;
• ICC approved abandonment of 11.099 miles of the Lower
Westside Branch on September 20, 1935 between Transfer and
Cheshire. Rails were removed in 1936.
• On April 20, 1950, the ICC approved abandoning 3.822 miles of
the Alpine Branch between Bailey Junction and Glenbrook.
26. • With rail traffic on the decline, SP’s application to abandon 9.06
miles of the Lower Westside Branch between Cheshire (MP
662.44) and Monroe (MP 671.48) was approved on August 2,
1957. The rail was removed the following year;
• After a string of ICC approved abandonments, beginning in 1935
and concluding in 1957, this left only the line from Corvallis to
Monroe and Alpine Jct. to Dawson in service;
• The passenger portion of the depot was torn down in 1968;
• SP continued operating the Lower Westside Branch until
Willamette & Pacific took over operations in February 1993;
• The freight portion of the depot remained intact and in place for
use by railroad shippers, including Wilbur Ellis, until 2007;
• In March 2007, the depot was moved 300 yards north from its
original location, at 555 Depot St., to Ash St. & Highway 99.
27. • Portland & Western Railroad’s last freight train served the Lower
Westside Branch, including Monroe, in May 2007;
• On September 9, 2011 the STB granted UP’s request to abandon
17.86 miles of the Lower Westside & Bailey Branch;
• On June 20, 2012, crews from 2G Construction began work on the
new Monroe Community Library at the new site of the depot and
the groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 29, 2012;
• The freight depot was incorporated as a wing of the new library,
which was completed in May 2013. It coincided with the 100th
anniversary of the depot and driving of the last golden spike;
• Benton County purchased the Lower Westside & Bailey Branch
right-of-way on October 1, 2013 from Union Pacific for $486,000;
• On January 27, 2014, SRC Industries arrived in Monroe, at Kelly &
North 6th Streets, near the original location of the railroad depot to
begin scrapping the Lower Westside & Bailey Branches.
28. •
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Introduction
Monroe Library Facts
Maps of Monroe & the Railroad
Monroe’s Railroad History & Facts
Images of Railroad Depot & Vicinity (1910-2012)
New Library Construction (June 2012-May 2013)
Library Grand Opening Ceremony (June 2013)
Before & After the New Library Construction
Acknowledgments & Dedications
29. Edwin D. Culp’s Stations West, The Story of the Oregon Railways
& South Benton Community Museum
Corvallis & Alsea Railroad‟s Chief Engineer traveling over the Bailey Branch, arrived at
Bailey Junction, in his car equipped with flange wheels. On the left, the line goes to
Alpine and Glenbrook. And, to the right, it veers off to Bellfountain and Dawson;
Courtesy of Stations West, The Story of the Oregon Railways
32. South Benton Community Museum
On the house track with boxcars being loaded and unloaded at the freight depot.
Courtesy of South Benton Community Museum, Monroe, OR
33. South Benton Community Museum
McGovern was Southern Pacific Railroad‟s Willamina Station Agent prior to 1920, then Monroe‟s
Station Agent from 1920-1957; Courtesy of South Benton Community Museum, Monroe, OR
35. According to Austin & Dill‟s
book, titled “The Southern
Pacific in Oregon Pictorial,”
the passenger portion of
Southern Pacific Railroad‟s
Monroe depot was
dismantled in 1968.
The freight portion of the
depot remained standing in
its original location until
March 2007. Early on a
Sunday morning, the depot
would begin a new journey
for the same community it
served for nearly 50 years.
Ben Maxwell & South Benton Community Museum
Ben Maxwell Collection & Courtesy of South Benton Community
Museum, Monroe, OR – August 16, 1963
36. Ben Maxwell Collection & South Benton Community Museum
Ben Maxwell Collection & Courtesy of South Benton
Community Museum, Monroe, OR – August 16, 1963
44. Historic Preservation Northwest
This is a foundation remnant from the bay window of the depot‟s passenger section.
Courtesy of Historic Preservation Northwest‟s 2006 Condition Assessment Report.
45. Historic Preservation Northwest
South end of depot where the passenger section was lopped off and a shallow eave was left
behind. Courtesy of Historic Preservation Northwest‟s 2006 Condition Assessment Report.
46. Historic Preservation Northwest
(Right) East side of the depot
and adjacent to house track.
Historic Preservation Northwest
(Left) South elevation of freight depot where passenger section was removed.
Both images courtesy of Historic Preservation Northwest‟s 2006 Condition
Assessment Report.
47. (Center) The single passage
door down the stairs and out
the south end of depot.
Historic Preservation Northwest
(Left) One of five original baggage or
freight room doors with corrugated
fiberglass windows. All images courtesy
of Historic Preservation Northwest‟s 2006
Condition Assessment Report.
Historic Preservation Northwest
Historic Preservation Northwest
(Right) One of two fire hydrant accesses boarded up.
48. (Top Right) „Carl‟s Girl‟
graffiti in the baggage room.
Historic Preservation Northwest
(Left) The baggage room facing the north freight door.
Courtesy of Historic Preservation Northwest.
Historic Preservation Northwest
(Bottom Right) The in-floor
scale in the baggage room.
63. •
•
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•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Monroe Library Facts
Maps of Monroe & the Railroad
Monroe’s Railroad History & Facts
Images of Railroad Depot & Vicinity (1910-2012)
New Library Construction (June 2012-May 2013)
Library Grand Opening Ceremony (June 2013)
Before & After the New Library Construction
Acknowledgments & Dedications
77. Corvallis Gazette Times
Courtesy of Corvallis Gazette Times – Official Groundbreaking
Ceremony for the new Monroe Community Library - June 29, 2012
405. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Monroe Library Facts
Maps of Monroe & the Railroad
Monroe’s Railroad History & Facts
Images of Railroad Depot & Vicinity (1910-2012)
New Library Construction (June 2012-May 2013)
Library Grand Opening Ceremony (June 2013)
Before & After the New Library Construction
Acknowledgments & Dedications
448. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Monroe Library Facts
Maps of Monroe & the Railroad
Monroe’s Railroad History & Facts
Images of Railroad Depot & Vicinity (1910-2012)
New Library Construction (June 2012-May 2013)
Library Grand Opening Ceremony (June 2013)
Before & After the New Library Construction
Acknowledgments & Dedications
460. •
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Monroe Library Facts
Maps of Monroe & the Railroad
Monroe’s Railroad History & Facts
Images of Railroad Depot & Vicinity (1910-2012)
New Library Construction (June 2012-May 2013)
Library Grand Opening Ceremony (June 2013)
Before & After the New Library Construction
Acknowledgments & Dedications
461. • Completion of the new Monroe
Community Library and renovation of the
former Southern Pacific Railroad freight
depot was in May 2013;
• The grand opening of the new library
coincided closely with the former SP
depot’s 100th anniversary and driving of
the last spike in Monroe on June 7, 1913;
• At this time, there are no special events
planned, but your humble correspondent
will keep you posted.
462. • My project, “Vision to Reality: Monroe’s New Community
Library & Restored Southern Pacific (SP) Railroad Freight
Depot,” would not be possible without the help of a few
great people. I dedicate this project to the following folks:
• Lori Pelkey and Alison Gavin, Community Library
Specialists, Monroe Community Library. Lori and Alison
were kind, sweet and accommodating to me.
• Ed Vaughn, Foreman, 2G Construction. Ed granted me
exclusive access to the inside of the library. I owe him a
HUGE debt of gratitude for taking the time to show me
around and allowing me to document the construction.
• Lori Stephens, Architect, Broadleaf Architecture. Lori
designed more than just a building with four walls and a
roof but a building that suits the community perfectly.
• The residents of the South Benton Community.
463. • This presentation is also dedicated to Southern Pacific
Railroad along with the communities and people it served.
• On January 27, 2014 salvage crews from SRC Industries
arrived in Monroe to dismantle and remove the rail and
ties from the 18-mile Lower Westside & Bailey Branches
stretching from Monroe to a location near Greenberry,
Oregon and from Alpine Junction, just north of Monroe,
to within 1,000 feet of the mill in Dawson, Oregon.
• This presentation documents Monroe’s New Library &
Restored Railroad Depot. Without the railroad, there
would be no depot to restore or rejoice in its history.
• Although the branch line will be removed and scrapped by
Summer 2014, it will never be forgotten as long as we
have images such as the one contained in this
presentation. Thank you for your support!
464. Presented by Daniel J. Sheets
Digital Creative Director | Chief Photographer | Writer | Editor | Blogger | Social Media Specialist | Web Designer
Follow Me
spdigitalmedia.com
dan@spdigitalmedia.com
spdigitalmediapro
spdigitalmedia1
slideshare.net/DanSheets
instagram.com/spdigitalmedia
flickr.com/photos/danieljsheets
spdigitalmedia.com/Blog/blog.html
linkedin.com/company/sp-digital-media
Southern Pacific Railroad’s
South Benton Community Museum
Depot in Monroe, OR - 1915