Proposed Track for Wabash College Crawfordsville, IND.

Map and lease agreement for the P&E Railroad to serve Wabash College.

This uncommon legal document outlines a 25 year real estate agreement between the Peoria and Eastern Railway (a subsidiary of the New York Central) and Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Following the end of World War II and significant material rationing, the venerable educational institution was looking to incorporate a sidetrack on its property to feed coal to the adjacent power house.

The original four-page document outlines the terms of the lease, while an accompanying blueprint map notes the proposed tracks adjacent to Grant Street. The area of the old power house and coal shed remains occupied by the maintenance building, while the two-story brick structure immediately adjacent is now the home of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.

The original map and corresponding lease agreement were published in 1945, with an accompanying cancellation sheet from 1970 reflecting the new Penn Central Transportation entity. The blue paper cover includes a printed distribution list with a penciled check indicating this example originated with the Division Engineer in Indianapolis.