{"id":514,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:36","latitude":40.101488693702293630849453620612621307373046875,"longitude":-85.6788173839057236591543187387287616729736328125,"title":"The &quot;Big Four&quot; Passenger Depot","subtitle":"","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/4d6657eace28b808f2519305290d188c.jpg","address":"29 Young Drive Anderson, Indiana, 46016","all_locations":[],"zoom":14,"creator":["Anderson Public Library"],"description":"In 1851, the first railroad came to Anderson with depots at John Street and Madison Avenue and then at Jackson Street. It brought goods, people, and substantial growth to the community. Part of the Indianapolis and Bellfontaine Railroad, it was consolidated as the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad. Popularly known as the “Big Four”, it had its own depot between Meridian and Main Streets on Young Drive that by 1932 saw 8,760 passenger trains stopping at the depot.  <br />\r\n<br />\r\nThis railroad gave the average citizen the opportunity to travel from Anderson to almost anywhere for any reason. It would also provide employment as stationmasters, telegraphers, porters, engineers, firemen, conductors, brakemen, and section hands to the working class of Anderson through the years.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nWith the growth of the automobile, passenger traffic on the railroad diminished greatly. Over the years, the “Big Four” was absorbed by a number of railroads, finally ending up as part of CSX Systems. In 1971, the last passenger train left the former “Big Four” depot. In 1980, the depot became a gift shop and then a performing arts center. In 1985, the Anderson Young Ballet Academy began leasing space ultimately becoming the Anderson Young Ballet Theatre. In 1994, it purchased the property as a permanent facility for the performing arts.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/4d6657eace28b808f2519305290d188c.jpg":{"id":2420,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Anderson Young Ballet","description":"The Anderson Young Ballet Theatre performs Cats at the former Big 4 Railroad Depot in 1995.  | Anderson Herald Bulletin | 1995","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/4d6657eace28b808f2519305290d188c.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/1c0988698d1516a8c72f4e78a0c2a860.jpg":{"id":2421,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Big Four Railroad Station","description":"The Big Four Railroad Station, photographed by David Dailey Photography. | Anderson Public Library | David Dailey Photography","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/1c0988698d1516a8c72f4e78a0c2a860.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/c6534291c1c36c3a6f4491f3c2f73fbd.jpg":{"id":2422,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Big Four Railroad Station, Anderson, Ind.","description":"A postcard depicting the Big Four Railroad Station, date unknown.  | Anderson Public Library","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/c6534291c1c36c3a6f4491f3c2f73fbd.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/6640fee7c51b02f5858901a40a5c8f3a.jpg":{"id":2423,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Big Four Station, Anderson, Ind.","description":"A postcard depicting the Big Four Railroad Station, date unknown.  | Anderson Public Library","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/6640fee7c51b02f5858901a40a5c8f3a.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/e8d0d792a64570081e4d4376b49fcb8a.jpg":{"id":2425,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"Big Four Railroad Along Rangeline Road","description":"A locomotive traveling on the Big Four line in Anderson, circa 1941.  | Anderson Public Library | 1941 | John Dierdring","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/e8d0d792a64570081e4d4376b49fcb8a.jpg"}}}