Mid-Century Decatur

A wooden trestle in the Illinois Central yard just north of the Macon Arms plant burned on May 30, 1961, sixty-five years ago today. The trestle allowed Illinois Terminal tracks to pass beneath.

The fire was so intense that the rails above were twisted by the heat. The Illinois Central mainline tracks were not affected.

Two boxcars that were parked above the trestle were destroyed, but they were successfully moved out of the way while the fire raged.

Photo: L. Roger Turner, H&R

Soy Ford, 455 E. Pershing, 1966 ad

Warren School, built in 1880 at 1419 N. Warren Street, was closed in 1968, and demolished on May 25, 1970, to make way for a 120-unit apartment complex funded by HUD.

Photo: Bob Strongman, H&R

Freeman's TV, 1275 S. Jasper, 1964 ad