This publication has been endorsed as a Legacy Project
by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission.
About the author
Lee Appleton was born and raised in Camden (Carroll County), Indiana. He graduated from Camden High School in 1961 and went to Purdue for two years before joining the United States Marine Corps where he spent the next seven years, including a year in Viet Nam.
Lee married his wife, Gerre, in North Carolina. After being transferred to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon, where he stayed for three years, he returned to civilian life. During the rest of his career he worked for State Farm for fifteen years, Mitsubishi Motors for ten years, and Nu-Way Transportation until retirement. Though work took him from Central Indiana to Central Illinois, Lee's heart always remained in Camden. The Appletons have three children and are enjoying the role of Grandparents.
Lee married his wife, Gerre, in North Carolina. After being transferred to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon, where he stayed for three years, he returned to civilian life. During the rest of his career he worked for State Farm for fifteen years, Mitsubishi Motors for ten years, and Nu-Way Transportation until retirement. Though work took him from Central Indiana to Central Illinois, Lee's heart always remained in Camden. The Appletons have three children and are enjoying the role of Grandparents.
the history of the roadbed: Logansport Crawfordsville & southwestern railroad
First published in 2009, this 2015 update includes additional historic photographs and revisions to captions and descriptions. The introductory synopsis provides a detailed overview of the story of this roadbed, but it is the Chronological History that provides the reader a true understanding of the events that contributed to the development of transportation and commerce through the mostly rural Indiana communities connected by these rails, including Flora, Indiana and its depot. Human labor, engineering, politics, trains, derailments, wrecks, the romance of rail travel, and even tragic loss of life: these details and images specific to this area of the state are not collected elsewhere.
The book came to be written after a series of events beginning in 2003. That year, Lee Appleton became seriously ill, was hospitalized, and spent the next few months recuperating but unable to do much physical activity. During that time he discovered Ancestral Research and learned "more than most should know" about his ancestors. In the process he uncovered several things he didn't know about Camden and started research on its history, including information about the railroad that went through town. This Was Camden was published in 2007 in time for the town's 175th anniversary celebration, though it was not completed. He has continued with it and is now adding the finishing touches.
The History of the Roadbed grew from his Camden research during which time he discovered very little was known locally about the history of the rails in the area. He spent many happy hours driving along old roadbeds with Gerre, looking at old bridge sites and depot locations, and talking to people along the way. Many had pictures or stories or knew someone who did. Information also comes from books and newspaper archives. Lee's hope is that those who read the book will "learn what that old weedy overgrown stretch that goes to the middle of nowhere used to be. It used to be a very important part of our communities."
The book came to be written after a series of events beginning in 2003. That year, Lee Appleton became seriously ill, was hospitalized, and spent the next few months recuperating but unable to do much physical activity. During that time he discovered Ancestral Research and learned "more than most should know" about his ancestors. In the process he uncovered several things he didn't know about Camden and started research on its history, including information about the railroad that went through town. This Was Camden was published in 2007 in time for the town's 175th anniversary celebration, though it was not completed. He has continued with it and is now adding the finishing touches.
The History of the Roadbed grew from his Camden research during which time he discovered very little was known locally about the history of the rails in the area. He spent many happy hours driving along old roadbeds with Gerre, looking at old bridge sites and depot locations, and talking to people along the way. Many had pictures or stories or knew someone who did. Information also comes from books and newspaper archives. Lee's hope is that those who read the book will "learn what that old weedy overgrown stretch that goes to the middle of nowhere used to be. It used to be a very important part of our communities."
Books by lee appleton
History of the Terre Haute and Peoria Railroad (A Sister to the LC&SW Railroad).
This Was Camden.
The History of the Michigan Road in Carroll County.
This Was Camden.
The History of the Michigan Road in Carroll County.
Purchase the history of the roadbed
A portion of the proceeds supports the Flora Depot Restoration Project.
Price: $21.00.
Paperback. Printed by Loudon Printing, Inc., Flora, IN.
Pick up: Copies are available at the Flora Public Library, 109 N Center ST, Flora, IN 46929.
Mail: Add $6.45 for flat rate shipping. Send a check or Money Order for $27.45 to the Flora Public Library,
109 N Center St, Flora, IN 46929.
Online via Paypal:
Price: $21.00.
Paperback. Printed by Loudon Printing, Inc., Flora, IN.
Pick up: Copies are available at the Flora Public Library, 109 N Center ST, Flora, IN 46929.
Mail: Add $6.45 for flat rate shipping. Send a check or Money Order for $27.45 to the Flora Public Library,
109 N Center St, Flora, IN 46929.
Online via Paypal:
