Valpo's old WNWI studio/tower site.

[rwilliam62521]

Having worked there in the 70's, I have somewhat of an attachment to the old WNWI studio/tower site at Linconway and Yellowstone (Valpo Tech/Valpo Institue of Technology campus).

I have heard 3 different stories about the site, and wonder of any of them are true.

1. When Barach moved to Oak Park, they just walked away from the site and left everything as it was.

2. Barach gutted the place and now only maintains the lights on the tower since no one is using the tower.

3. The WNWI tower was taken down as a hazard to surrounding homes/businesses since Barach didn't maintain it after buying out the Hershman family.


Can anyone confirm any of this, or advise the status of the tower/studio combination?

Also, is Chief Engineer D.E. 'Gene' Wiggins still around?

Thanks. WNWI was where I got my start in broadcasting and will always remain a memory to me (especially trying to maintain ERP during ice and snow storms).

 

[Tom Wells]

Barach communications almost lost the bid to move WMWI to Oak Park, because they had gone silent for so long, and at the last minute, they put an Xmitter in the tower base hut, with a "guy" to run some audio. It barely worked but I could hear it on the N side of chicago.
The tower is still up, with lights, but I don't know if Barach or someone else maintains it, or if anyone rents space on it.

Ed Hershman passed away a few years ago, Art Hershman is teaching at Ivy Tech, and D. E. Wiggins still lives in Valpo, I haven't talked to him recently but others have.

This was where I most enjoyed spending a saturday in the early 70's, and where I went to school, 1979-1982.
I could send scans of the school promotional catalog from the 60's if anyone is interested, as well as
the Valpo Tech approved Smith Charts, Form F grid paper, and Valpo Tech Alumni decals

 

[regionear]

I am not 100% on this stuff...but I am pretty sure

1. True. It was left with nothing but lights after the move to Oak Park

2. True. Not even cell stuff is on that tower...nothing but some lights...and they worked sometimes

3. Possible. Valpo Tech is always just one step from being all torn down. For a while, they were renting the dorm space to some businesses and transients...but that stopped a few years back. I haven't been by Valpo Tech in over 2 years...but last time I drove by tower was there...but with the new Mayor in Valpo...I wouldn't be surprised if it was gone...he is on a major improvement kick...like tearing down that nasty car wash, ect.

Having worked there in the 70's, I have somewhat of an attachment to the old WNWI studio/tower site at Linconway and Yellowstone (Valpo Tech/Valpo Institue of Technology campus).

I have heard 3 different stories about the site, and wonder of any of them are true.

1. When Barach moved to Oak Park, they just walked away from the site and left everything as it was.

2. Barach gutted the place and now only maintains the lights on the tower since no one is using the tower.

3. The WNWI tower was taken down as a hazard to surrounding homes/businesses since Barach didn't maintain it after buying out the Hershman family.


Can anyone confirm any of this, or advise the status of the tower/studio combination?

Also, is Chief Engineer D.E. 'Gene' Wiggins still around?

Thanks. WNWI was where I got my start in broadcasting and will always remain a memory to me (especially trying to maintain ERP during ice and snow storms).