Albany Indiana Lake Erie & Western Railroad Depot 1912 Real Photo Postcard
The Lake Erie & Western Railroad Depot in Albany, Indiana, circa 1912, served as a vital hub for this rural community. The LE&W was a significant regional carrier that connected towns across Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, facilitating passenger travel, mail service, and the crucial transport of freight for local economies. Depots like Albany's were central to daily life, processing agricultural shipments and receiving goods essential for the town's residents and businesses.
During the early 20th century, railroads were the primary arteries of commerce and communication for American towns. Such depots enabled the efficient movement of agricultural products like grain, raw materials such as lumber and coal from adjacent businesses, and a constant flow of manufactured goods. This infrastructure was critical for fostering economic growth and integrating smaller communities like Albany into the burgeoning regional and national markets of the Progressive Era.
During the early 20th century, railroads were the primary arteries of commerce and communication for American towns. Such depots enabled the efficient movement of agricultural products like grain, raw materials such as lumber and coal from adjacent businesses, and a constant flow of manufactured goods. This infrastructure was critical for fostering economic growth and integrating smaller communities like Albany into the burgeoning regional and national markets of the Progressive Era.