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STORY INDEX Introduction Population of Indiana's northeast counties grew by 81 percent this century Tracking railroads: Since 1900, number of local lines reduced from five to two Longtime area auto dealers have 'seen it all' Amish continue long-held traditions - except on safety issues Cars accelerate lives of Noble County residents The price of cars: How much did it cost to drive one off the lot? Electric Interurban connected area to Fort Wayne, beyond LaGrange residents rally to save historic brick streets U.S. 6, Ind. 3: Kendallville's routes to growth Agriculture ever-changing, advancing in Noble County Comparisons: How far did the dollar stretch? Growing onions, peppermint made 'scents' in early 1900s The Gaby farm: Family-owned and celebrating over 150 years A changing culture impacts 4-H County fair continues to be a big social event Thriving through the times: Downtown Kendallville adapts to a century of changes Dekko's philanthropy remains a 'valuable resource' Rinkel family still at the wheel of Greenfield Hills Commerce nothing new to Shipshewana: Town thrives as one of fastest-growing tourist areas in state Making do during the Great Depression: Retired hatchery owner recalls tough times, bright moments Mill a 'Star' business in Ligonier: Firm has been grinding wheat into flour for 113 years Elmer E. McCray had a major impact on Kendallville Richard R. Cole has long legacy Female executive has seen many changes in workforce Working women: From assisting war effort to competing in global markets Wolcottville a center of commerce, industry in 1800s Mongoquinong area was early LaGrange County commercial center 'The cheapest hired hand we ever had.' Electricity made life brighter, easier down on the farm Monument company's history set in stone Historic Corn School dates back to 1906 Tracking railroads Since 1900, number of local lines reduced from five to two By BOB GAGEN The News-Sun At the beginning of this century five major railroads ran through either Noble or LaGrange counties, speeding passengers to cities large and small and serving numerous grain elevators and manufacturing enterprises. In the ensuing 99 years three of these lines - the Grand Rapids & Indiana, the Wabash and the Vandalia Line of the Pennsylvania system - have been abandoned and their rails taken up. The other two - Norfolk Southern and CSX - have upgraded their east-west lines through Noble County and are transporting record amounts of freight. Norfolk Southern, which took over Conrail's line through Kendallville, Brimfield, Wawaka and Ligonier on June 15, 1999, travels a route which opened in the county in 1858 as the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad and subsequently was known as Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, Air Line of New York Central, Penn Central and Conrail. The Baltimore & Ohio established stations at Avilla, Albion, Kimmell and Cromwell in 1874. It subsequently became known as the Chesepeake & Ohio, Chessie System and, at present, CSX. It recently double-tracked its entire line through the county and its air horn warnings at grade crossings are heard more often than ever before all along the line. The Grand Rapids & Indiana ran through both counties, with Noble County depots at LaOtto, Avilla, Kendallville, Rome City and Wolcottville and stations at LaGrange and Howe in LaGrange County. Known as "The Fishing Line," the GR&I did a large passenger business to the resort areas of northern Michigan, which also led to it being called "The Hay Fever Express." It was also heavily traveled by those attending Chautauquas at Rome City around the turn of the century. This line in Indiana was abandoned between 1979 and 1984 with the only remnant still in service being the 1.1-mile stretch delivering inbound sugar and syrup to the Favorite Brands International (Kraft) plant in Kendallville. A 3.8-mile stretch of the Vandalia Railroad from Logansport to Butler ran through southeast Noble County, crossing the GR & I tracks at LaOtto, originally known as Grand Rapids Crossing. The Vandalia line was abandoned piecemeal between 1954 and 1977. The Wabash Railroad ran through southern LaGrange County with stops at Topeka and Eddy, then dodging south to Wolcottville to avoid Atwood and Witmer lakes, then back into LaGrange County heading for South Milford. This stretch of the Wabash was abandoned between 1984 and 1991. Today South Milford is headquarters of the 104-mile Indiana Northeastern Railroad, which began operations in 1992 and runs the only active rail line in LaGrange County. It follows a Z-shaped course west to Montpelier, Ohio, through Steuben County to South Milford and then north to Angola and points in Michigan. The Goshen-Sturgis branch of the old Lake Shore & Michigan Southern had station points at Shipshewana and Seybert, where grain elevators were the principal patrons. This line was gradually abandoned, with the last operating portion between Goshen and Shipshewana closing in 1880 after making an attempt at being a tourist line. Today, of course, you can't board a train in either county and travel, as you could in 1900, to such popular spots as Chicago, New York, Washington, Niagara Falls and northern Michigan.