5. Erie (Chicago & Atlantic Railroad)

In 1882, the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad began building its east-west line through southern Starke County. 
The Chicago & Atlantic Railroad was built through North Judson in 1883. Later this railroad line was organized as the Erie


Around 1897, a railroad spur was built from Bass Station northward to the lake. Tourists from Chicago and elsewhere would ride to Bass Station. From there the train would back up to Bass Lake and unload at a long pier at the south end. 


The communities of Ora, Aldine, Lomax, and Bass Station were connected as stops along the railroad.