| A pair of brand spanking new, and sequentially numbered, CN locomotives lead a unit train of tank cars approaching the Main St. overpass at the north end of the former SOO yard at Neenah, WI on 2 Jun. '19. The Edward Smith Octagon House, 347 Smith St., stands at left. The house was erected between 1851 and 1854. Edward Smith, who operated a flour mill and had an early interest in the Neenah Paper Co., purchased the home in 1855. It is commonly referred to as the Hiram Smith Octagon House for some reason, Hiram purchased it from his brother Edward at some point. It has been owned by the Neenah Historical Society since 1993. The City of Neenah wanted to demolish it when the over-priced and over-budget Main St. overpass (out of frame to left) was built. Thankfully there were enough intelligent people around to save it. |