(Photo credit: Rafi Wilkinson; photo courtesy Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District)
In Porter County, a landmark along the South Shore Line – the pink depot at Beverly Shores with its script-style lighted sign – is set to be preserved into the next century. Through a 100-year lease between the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) and Indiana Landmarks, the Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery will be a long-term tenant in the building, continuing their decades-long stewardship, a news release said.
“Partnerships form the backbone of our work across the state to preserve historic places,” said Brad Ward, president of Indiana Landmarks. “We are thrilled to work with regional leader NICTD to further the Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery’s work to ensure this landmark is enjoyed by the community.”
The Spanish Colonial Revival-style depot—the last remaining 1920s train depot of the South Shore Line—was slated for demolition before efforts by local supporters resulted in it being listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The Town of Beverly Shores partnered with the museum to restore the building using federal funding, and the history museum and art gallery moved into the depot in 1988. The building also houses a gift shop.
As its original 100-year lease with Northern Indiana Public Service Company neared its expiration date, NICTD, with its nearby Pine Avenue station, says it needed a long-term plan for the depot, a flag stop on its South Shore line. The new agreement between NICTD, Indiana Landmarks, and the Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery will ensure the depot remains serving the local community and that the public can continue to enjoy the Beverly Shores artifacts and art installations the museum maintains. The station will also remain a stop for the South Shore line.
“We are thrilled to have the knowledge and resources of Indiana Landmarks behind us as we work to preserve this historic treasure, the depot,” said Monique Rub, Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery board president.
“The South Shore Line deeply appreciates this new partnership with the railroad, the town and Indiana Landmarks,” adds Michael Noland, NICTD president and CEO. “Preserving this historic piece of our history and the Samuel Insull era of the railroad takes a group effort. This strategic partnership brings Indiana Landmarks into the fold to help secure much-needed resources for this community and regional asset, and we are most grateful.”
