15 December 1953

Souvenir Groundbreaking Shovel, Nickel Plate Elevation

After the closure of the Wabash and Erie Canal in 1874, the canal bed path through Fort Wayne sat abandoned until it was sold to the Nickel Plate Railroad in 1881 for its road bed. In 1945, it was estimated that 50,000 vehicles a day were delayed by the Nickel Plate train movements. Residents were tired of having to wait for trains and wanted the railroad to "Elevate the Nickel Plate!"

On 15 December 1953 ground was broken on the elevation project. This commemorative shovel was given to attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony. Pictured is Mayor Harry W. Baals at the ceremony. The new elevated railway was opened and dedicated in October 1955, eliminating a major obstacle to north and south traffic through downtown.