Nappanee Depot Plaza

It all started when Locke was passed over by the Railroad. Business men of Locke recognized the need for railroad access. An agreement was reached between the B&O and Locke. Locke did some shady business, Locke promised to donate 5 acres and grade the side tracks so that a depot could be built. Locke didn't have the land so Locke Station was built on railroad property and opened December 6, 1874 6 days before Nappanee was platted. Locke used the depot to get people to Locke and out of Nappanee. August of 1875, the citizens of Nappanee agreed to give the B&O Railroad $1,000 to erect the original depot and in return the railroad would build a grain elevator, freight depot, stock yards, and a lumber dock. The people of Locke were ordered to remove theirs.