If you’ve ever driven south on Red Arrow Highway from New Buffalo into Michigan City, Indiana, you’ve likely noticed a striking landmark on the side of the road just outside Michigan City — an old coaling tower that stands over the train tracks.
The tower more than 100 years old and hasn’t been used since the 1950s. Now, plans have been announced to tear it down.
Amtrak, which owns the railroad tracks, says it’s going to demolish the structure in September of 2025. That will cause some disruptions to Amtrak service for a couple of weeks, and some Michigan City residents are unhappy about losing a piece of local history. They say the tower formerly owned by Michigan Central Railroad has historic value and should be preserved.
A petition has been started on Change.org to convince Amtrak not to tear the 100-foot-tall tower down. It asks railroads, Michigan City leaders, and historic preservation groups to speak up.