This is the concrete coaling tower at Clarendon, on the Penn Central's Air Line Branch between Jackson and Three Rivers.  Clarendon is about three miles west of Homer.

The photograph was taken in 1978 from the cab of an oncoming train.  The coal tower, which has been unused since steam locomotives were discontinued in the 1950's, still stands on private property in the woods.  The Air Line has since been removed.  [Ted Zerbe]

Above, a drawing of the coaling station at Clarendon, from a blueprint located at the State of Michigan Archives.  [Dale Berry]