Monday Morning Coffee: Changed Midwest

Before and during the Second World War railroads were a very important means of transportation.  They were used to move people about, to deliver raw materials to a manufacturer and transport finished product to market.

After the end of hostilities and the return to peace, the United States embarked on a vast nation wide road construction program.  It was the beginning of the interstate highway.

These new freeways isolated communities not on the highway as they permitted quick efficient means between  large cities.  

Using large 18 wheeler's along with the freeway system, enabled raw materials and finished product to be quickly  delivered to and from manufactures.  

It was the rise of the trucking industry and slow death of the railroad.  Instead of a plant requiring a nearby railroad, what was needed was an relativity easy access to a freeway. 

With the growing airplane opportunities, people replaced the railroad with air travel.  The airplane could cover, small or large, distances in shorter time.

With the development of new products and new ways to produce them, the older manufacturing methods, products and locations stared to fade away.  The Midwest became the Rust Belt. 

This week will illustrate some of what was left behind as the country and industry, moved from rail to road.

   Richmond, Indiana.

Once the International Harvester farm machinery manufacturing facility is now a warehouse.