Tracks

Remember when there used to be a tower on the Main Street railroad crossing in downtown Fortville? That tower, often called the Fortville Gatehouse, once played a vital role in the daily rhythm of the town. Before modern automatic crossing arms, the tower was manned by railroad workers who were responsible for raising and lowering the gates whenever trains passed through. From their high vantage point, the gatekeeper had a clear view of the tracks and traffic, keeping both trains and townspeople safe. The steady clang of the warning bell and the lowering of the wooden gates were a familiar sound and sight to residents, signaling the powerful locomotives that regularly rolled through Fortville.

The gatehouse wasn’t just a functional structure—it was also part of the town’s character. Children walking to school, shopkeepers along Main Street, and families running errands all paused at the crossing, waiting for trains to pass while the gatekeeper worked from above. The tower stood as a reminder of a time when railroads were the lifeblood of small towns, connecting Fortville to larger cities and industries. Though the gatehouse is no longer there, it remains a nostalgic landmark in the memories of longtime residents, symbolizing Fortville’s close ties to its railroad heritage.