The Look of the B & O, 1905

For many years, Lloyd V. Tuttle contributed historic photos and information to the Defiance Crescent-News for his column, "A Backward Glance."

On Tuesday, May 14, 1963, Mr. Tuttle discussed the B & O railroad as it once looked before the track was lifted and the viaduct formed on South Clinton Street.

Mr. Tuttle wrote:
"Here is a picture which will stump many old timers.  It was contributed by Stuart Duerk, 96 Grove Street.

The man in the photograph, taken in 1905, is Garrett Curns.  At the time the picture was snapped, the Baltimore & Ohio, was a single track railroad through Defiance.  It depicts the site of the present Clinton Street viaduct at the B & O passenger depot.

Before the B & O elevated its tracks through Defiance, there were watchmen at Deatrick and South Clinton Sts., and Jefferson and Ottawa Aves.  Each watchman had a little shanty, and took great pride in keeping the adjacent area neat by growing flowers and even shrubbery.

Mr. Curn's pride and joy were the morning glories, shown here climbing over one side of the shanty.

There was quite a big natural hump in the ground where Clinton Street passed over the track at this time.  Later, workmen transformed the hump into the present South Clinton Street viaduct.

Back of the shanty is now Bell Place, a little subdivision.  The photograph also depicts the bridge which once passed over the defunct Miami-Erie Canal."