Save the Northfield Depot was incorporated and established in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) with the purpose of saving, restoring, and reusing the depot building for the benefit of the community.
In early 2008, the depot was slated be torn down unless it was moved. Canadian Pacific Railroad agreed to sell it to Save the Northfield Depot for $1 if it were moved off their property, and an agreement with the City of Northfield allowed us to purchase for $1 a portion city’s Q-Block land, which public meetings and focus groups to explore potential sites and uses had the identified as the favorite site.
After several years of fundraising, Save the Northfield Depot moved the depot on January 6, 2016, to its new home on the Q-block, where a new foundation had already been prepared. (The 1944 addition, which could not be moved, was separated from the depot and demolished with the bricks and limestone salvaged for the new site.)
Repairs and restoration began immediately after the depot was slid onto its new foundation. On October 6, 2022, we held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating our successful effort to save and restore the 1888 depot.
Mission & Vision
The mission of Save the Northfield Depot is to reuse the renovated 1888 Milwaukee Road Depot as a community gathering place for both public and private events.
The vision of Save the Northfield Depot is to maintain the historical integrity and features of the 1888 Milwaukee Road Depot and to educate the community about its rich history and continued usefulness as a community resource.
We remain committed to:
- Historic Preservation: protecting and preserving a key part of the Northfield heritage and pride of place
- Beautification: assuring the depot is appropriately maintained, free of blight, and a visual asset to the community
- Economic Development: providing a catalyst to the economic development in the city
- Education: educating the current and future generations about the rich history and role of the railroads and the depot in Northfield
- Building Community: providing community gathering places to promote opportunities for social interaction and public events
- Sustainability: reusing existing buildings as a responsible use of our resources
Local Historical Site Designation
The 1888 depot had been designated a Local Heritage Preservation Site in 1980; the designation was initiated by Steve Edwins, who was also key in this project before his death. Because the depot was moved to prevent destruction on railroad property, it had to be reassessed. In a 37-page document, we provided evidence with photos and detailed descriptions of our work to adhere to preservation guidelines in our renovation decisions. The application was first assessed by the State Historic Preservation Office who noted that the depot was “meticulously rehabilitated” and was subsequently reviewed by the local Heritage Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission. All three bodies recommended designation to the Northfield City Council who approved the resolution.
Below are the major components of the documentation submitted to the Historical Preservation Commission for their reassessment of the depot as a Local Historical Site. The files document the major repair and restoration work on the depot from 2016 – 2020, a project achieved by our community of individuals, organizations, and businesses.
- 1888 Blueprints and Floor Plan (.pdf, 638 K)
- Archival and Current Exterior Photos (.pdf, 7.5 MB)
- Original and Current Materials – Exterior (.pdf, 38 MB)
- Original and Current Materials – Interior (.pdf, 35 MB)
- Significance of Use as a Passenger Depot (.pdf, 2 MB)
Board of Directors
- Judy Code, Landscaping
- Ray Coudret, Events
- Tracy Davis Heisler, Public Partnerships Liaison
- Matt Karl, Business Finance & Bookkeeping
- Pepe Kryzda, Architectural
- Rob Martin, Chair
- Don McGee, Technical
- Alice Thomas, Secretary
- Lisa Thompson, Communications & Marketing
- Clark Webster, Treasurer
Annual Reports
Each year, Save the Northfield Depot reports on what we’ve accomplished in the preceding calendar year and documents our financials. The reports for the last two years are posted below.
- 2024 Annual Report (.pdf, 3.3 MB)
- 2023 Annual Report (.pdf, 2 MB)