By M.T.Burkhart

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – In late December crews demolished BO Tower, the century-old wooden interlocking structure that guarded the Amtrak/Grand Elk/Norfolk Southern crossing.

Built by the Michigan Central in 1914, Botsford tower once saw the movement of Pennsylvania Railroad, New York Central, and Grand Trunk Western controlled trains. Its 44-lever machine was manned by an operator until October 2016, when the plant was remote-controlled as part of line upgrades.

Located on the edge of the city’s business district, there were failed efforts to save the building, which was owned by the Michigan Department of Transportation. But it sat too close to the tracks and would have needed to be moved, an expensive proposition. By the time it was torn down, the windows were boarded up, some of the exterior siding was gone, and the walls covered in graffiti.