Alteration or demolition of the brick structure I see just the other side of the Rochelle diamond

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

As a regular viewer of the Rochelle IL diamond, I can’t help but note that some of the large brick structure just the other side of the diamond is being knocked down. I asked this question once before, and a reply referred me to a complicated info page which, according to Trains, no longer exists. I’m still interested; can anyone shed light on that project? Junior Yardmaster

2

Based on what’s been posted on the “Semi-Official Rochelle Web Cam” thread, about all anyone knows is that it’s being torn down…

A quick search on-line provided no information on the demolition.

3

I have always heard of that building referred to as the “Del Monte warehouse.” To my knowledge it has not functioned as a rail served warehouse for many years, but it is curved to parallel the BNSF (CB&Q) tracks with appropriately spaced doorways.

Dave Nelson

4

At one time, Del Monte processed and stored pumpkins at that site. On a railfan excursion there many years ago during the harvest, we watched them unload the pumpkins from trucks. They were green and mishapen. Nothing like the round, orange pumpkins we think of at Halloween. There is / was another pumpkin facility at Morton, Illinois that shipped an occasional car of canned pumpkin every season.

John Timm

5

Something somebody wrote somewhere made it sound like the city of Rochelle is responsible for the demolition of this building. They may have bought the property from Del Monte.

A look at a map and a bit of idealism suggests to me a couple of mainline grade crossings that could be straightened out (angles improved, and/or curves eliminated) once the building is out of the way.

6

A bit more info on the building being torn down. The 2006 issue 1 issue of North Western Lines, the magazine from the Chicago & North Western Historical Society, was almost entirely about Rochelle because the 2006 convention was held there (and it was a good one). The issue has many maps and photos.

The building being torn down is shown on older maps as the P Hohenadal Canning Company, later the Rochelle Canning Company. Maps show it was served by both the CB&Q and the North Western. There was a corn house (and husking facility) as well as a hay house and a pickle factory. The buildings had differing configurations over the decades. Across the C&NW tracks to the south and west were stock yards.

Dave Nelson