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The Rockford depot, circa 1947.
ROCKFORD - About 20 people on Monday evening heard the tales of two railroads that elevated Rockford, then Shanes Crossing, to a bustling hub of activity.
Andy Enyart, a Celina High School graduate, spoke at village hall during the Shanes Crossing Historical Society meeting about the history and progression of the two railroads in the village. As an employee of Norfolk Southern Railroad where he worked as a yardmaster, conductor and now as an engineer, he gave attendees an inside look at why trains matter.
In 1883, Rockford, then known as Shanes Crossing, boasted two railroads, which were owned by two different rail companies, Enyart said. Both companies eventually merged and reorganized with other rail companies, resulting in, at times, confusing names.
The first railroad to enter the village was the Toledo, Delphos and Burlington Railroad in 1879, which later became the Toledo, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad when it was reorganized in 1882, he said.
The line ceased operation to Rockford in late 1883 because it was deemed redundant when a proposed branch to Willshire fell through, Enyart said.
The rail company wanted to extend the line to Willshire so it didn't have to "go the 40 miles back to Delphos to get the goods to the west," he said.
Rail lines through Mercer County.
The second railroad that came to town was the Celina, Van Wert and State Line Railroad. In April of 1878, citizens of Van Wert, Celina and Rockford incorporated the Celina, Van Wert and State Line Extension Railway, Enyart said.
The railroad later became the Cincinnati, Van Wert and Michigan Railroad, which was built in Shanes Crossing in 1883. Later, that railroad became the Cincinnati, Jackson and Mackinaw Railroad. In 1894, it became the Cincinnati Northern, and in 1902, the rail company was controlled by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway, commonly known as the Big Four.
A photo of a circa 1900s Cincinnati Northern Railroad "Bobber" caboose. In the 1930s and onwards all cabooses sat on two trucks with two axels each.
By 1909, Cincinnati Northern gave residents the opportunity to visit different areas of the state and even country for an affordable price.
"In 1909, from the station agent's book, in Rockford alone, there were 19,309 tickets sold," Enyart said. "That is a huge number for a town of about 1,000."
Residents could take a train to see a Cincinnati Reds game and back to Rockford for $1.25, about $43 in today's dollars.
The trains also ran to county fairs in Celina, Darke County and Van Wert County, made day trips to Manitou Beach in Michigan and Hocking Hills and even offered trips to Florida, Los Angeles and Niagara Falls.
A crowd waits at the Rockford depot for a train to take them to the county fair.
Residents could also travel to Cincinnati for William Taft's notification day on July 28, 1908, when he was formally notified of his presidential nomination by a delegation at his brother's home in Cincinnati. Taft became the 27th president of the United States in 1909.
Serving as both passenger and freight trains, the railroads transported a variety of goods, including textiles, machinery, livestock and food.
"It was the UPS of the 1950s," Enyart said.
The Rockford Railroad Depot was located behind the library on Pearl Street east of Main Street, according to Ohio Railroad Stations Past and Present. The depot was torn down in the 1980s.
In 1937, the CCC&St. L became the New York Central. In 1938, the passenger service was discontinued and the railroad was used strictly for freight. The railroad again changed ownership when it became Penn Central in 1968, Enyart said. The Spencerville and Elgin Railroad, the final railroad serving Rockford, would operate until 1981. After 1982, the line was removed to Ohio City.
In 2023, village councilors heard the historical society was in the process of building a replica of the former train depot, which may be constructed next to the village hall on a gravel lot owned by the village.
A train arrives at the Rockford depot, date unknown.
The Rockford depot in 1977.
