Valuing an interlocking tower

[Gramp]

Wonder if you can still feel the reverberations of the 400s?
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2017/08/24/house-confidential-tiny-railroad-tower-house-is-unique/

[croteaudd]

It is surprising that the tower is still standing!  So often towers are demolished.  Here in Southern California, I recently stumbled across Hobart Tower in the Los Angeles area, unused but surprisingly still standing also!

 

An interlocking tower is likely a strange term to the general public, but to those associated with railroading it makes perfect sense.

[rixflix]

Local tax assessments led to the demolition of countless railroad structures. Historic? Reuseable? Fond memories? If little or not used, the railroads had to knock them down to "unimprove" the property and lower their taxes. It's unfortunate that the gov didn't declare the "Railfan Church" tax exempt.

Rick

[diningcar]

RR taxes vary.

Railroad taxes vary from State to State. Each has created their own method

It soon became obvious that local elected officials lacked the epertise. States usually determine the value of the entire railroad and the allocate a portion to each taxing district [County].

 

[BaltACD]

diningcar

RR taxes vary.

Railroad taxes vary from State to State. Each has created their own method

It soon became obvious that local elected officials lacked the epertise. States usually determine the value of the entire railroad and the allocate a portion to each taxing district [County].

Historically taxing authorities have always viewed railroads and their property as 'deep pockets' to be mined.  In most jurisdictions the railroads are the business with the most financial resources as compared to other businesses in the jurisdiction.