Minnesota communities as well as those across the nation have successfully saved or are in the process of saving their historic railroad depots. To help others in their efforts, below we’ve provided some details on what it took to save our depot in the hope that it will help inform your expectations and planning.
Project Timeline 2008-2022
- 2006: Depot on railroad’s demolition list
- 2008: Depot scheduled to be burned
- 2008 – 2011: Public awareness and input, work with railroad and City of Northfield
- 2009: Save the Northfield Depot established as 501(c)(3), talks held with railroad
- 2010: Community general meetings and focus groups to answer questions: Should it be saved? If so, where should it be placed and for what use?
- 2011: Design charette attended by 80 stakeholders and four architects
- 2012 – 2015: Planning, fundraising for move, public relation preparation for move
- 2016 – 2021: Rehabilitation, fundraising for rehabilitation (paused during pandemic), community engagement
- 2022: Occupancy, historical designation, fundraising for uncompleted projects
- 2023 – present: Utilization of Depot as event space, fundraising for maintenance and long-term sustainability
Obstacles Encountered
- Railroad wanted immediate action to eliminate their liability
- Time needed to obtain public input on any action or plan
- No immediate funding source or concrete plans
- No negotiating “chips” to offer the railroad
- Addressing 1944 modifications of two doors and the removal of station master bay
- Need to meet current ADA regulations regarding steps
- Graffiti on bricks
Opportunities & Assets Encountered
- Derelict Depot highly visible from main highway and streets
- Designated Local Historical Site in 1980
- Community values its historical heritage
- Vacant, adjacent City-owned, former center of railroad activity
- Highly engaged community
- More than 700 contributing “entities” (individuals, families, businesses, foundations, organizations)
- Individuals with diverse interests, backgrounds, and skills willing to help, including local historical architect (1,500 volunteer hours in a 12-month period in 2018)
- 1888 blueprints and floor plans
- Archival photos from city and county historical societies, local colleges, and individuals’ personal collections
- Original framing for doors and station master bay intact
We took inventory of other depots across the country that communities have or are in the process of being moved, restoring, and reusing as a resource for those considering similar efforts in their own community.
Successfully Restored Depots Similar to Ours
The following depots that have been identified as similar in size, architecture, and/or scope of renovation.
Minnesota Depots
Bemidji
Date Built: 1912
Date Restored: 2001
The Bemidji Depot is the home of the Beltrami County Historical Society which runs a history center and gift shop. Meeting space can also be rented. To learn more, visit the Beltrami County Historical Society.
Faribault
Date Built: 1902
Date Restored: 1985
The Faribault Rock Island Depot is now home to The Depot Bar and Grill restaurant.
Hopkins
Date Built: 1928
Date Restored: 1998
The Hopkins Depot served as a student-run coffee house for nearly 25 years before closing in 2023 and then reopening in November 2024. It continues to serve as a trailhead for the Three Rivers Park regional trails.
Montevideo
Date Built: early 1900s
Date Restored: In progress
The Montevideo Depot is the home of the Milwaukee Road Heritage Center, a railroad museum which also displays historical railroad equipment. To learn more, visit Milwaukee Road Heritage Center.
Red Wing
Date Built: 1905
Date Restored: 1990
The Red Wing Depot serves as an active Amtrak station and is also home to the Red Wing Visitors and Convention Bureau as well as the Red Wing Arts Association.
Wadena
Date Built: 1915
Date Restored: 2008
The Wadena Northern Pacific Depot currently serves as a visitor’s center and museum. There is also meeting space that can be rented for events such as conferences and wedding receptions.
Depots in Other States
Iowa – Clarion
Date Built: 1898
Date Restored: 1984
The Rock Island Depot serves as the home for the Clarion Chamber of Commerce.
Iowa – Dows
Date Built: 1896
Date Restored: 1988
The Dows Depot was purchased and restored by the Dows Historical Society and houses a welcome center as well as railroad and community memorabilia.
New York – Hopewell Junction
Date Built: 1873
Date Restored: 2012
The Hopewell Junction Depot serves as a local museum and educational facility as well as an anchor for the eastern terminus of the Dutchess County Rail Trail.
Depots on the Move
Below are other depots across the United States that have been or are in the planning stage of being moved, restored, and reused.
Arkansas – Perry Rock Island Depot
Date built: 1918
Location: Perry, Arkansas
Moved: 2020
Website
California – Livermore Southern Pacific Depot
Date built: 1892
Location: Livermore, California
Moved: 2017
California – Southern Pacific Depot
Date built: 1907
Location: Long Beach, California
Moved: 2015 (but destroyed by fire on September 16, 2016)
Colorado – Great Western Railway Depot
Date built: 1902
Location: Granby, Colorado (moved from Loveland, Colorado)
Moved: 2014
Florida – Inverness Depot
Date built: 1892
Location: Inverness, Florida
Moved: 2018
Website
Georgia – Gray Station Depot
Date built: 18??
Location: Gray, Georgia (moved from Athens, Georgia in 1908)
Moved: 2019
Georgia – L&N Depot
Date built: 1916
Location: Tate, Georgia
Moved: 2015
Illinois – New Lenox Rock Island Depot
Illinois – Nickel Plate Station
Date built: 1883
Location: Edwardsville, Illinois
Moved: 2020
Website
Indiana – Bedford Milwaukee Depot
Date built: 1899
Location: Bedford, Indiana
Moved: 2016
Website
Indiana – Grand Trunk Railroad Depot
Indiana – Waterloo Amtrak Depot
Date built: 1884
Location: Waterloo, Indiana
Moved: 2016
Iowa – Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway Depot
Date built: 1914
Location: Minburn, Iowa
Moved: 2014
Website
Kansas – Sedgwick Santa Fe Depot
Date built: 1878
Location: Sedgwick, Kansas
Moved: 2018
Maryland – Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station
Date built: 1885
Location: Aberdeen, Maryland
Moved: 2014
Michigan – Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Depot
Date built: 1895
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Moved: 2014
Website | Sturgis Depot Museum website
Michigan – Union Depot
Date built: 1895
Location: Clare, Michigan
Moved: 2014
Facebook
Minnesota – Amboy Depot
Date built: unknown
Location: Amboy, Minnesota (moved from Huntley, Minnesota)
Moved: 2012
Facebook
Mississippi – Dundee Depot
Date built: 1895
Location: Tunica, Mississippi (moved from Dundee, Mississippi)
Moved: 2015
Website
Montana – Northern Pacific Railway Depot
Date built: 1910
Location: East Helena, Montana
Moved: 2019
North Carolina – P&N Trift Depot
Date built: 1912
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Moved: 2016
Website
North Carolina – Pollocksville Depot
Date built: 1893
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Moved: 2021
Website
North Carolina – Seagrove Depot
Date built: unknown
Location: Seagrove, North Carolina
Moved: 2019
Ohio – Hamilton Train Depot
Ohio – Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Depot
Date built: 1881
Location: Kent, Ohio
Moved: 2014
Oklahoma – Wagoner “Katy” Depot
Date built: 1896
Location: Wagoner, Oklahoma
Moved: 2020
Texas – Chandler Depot
Date built: early 1900s
Location: Chandler, Texas
Moved: 2019
Vermont – New Haven Depot
Date built: 1868
Location: New Haven, Vermont
Moved: 2022
Website
Virginia – Norfolk and Western Railway Depot
Date built: 1907
Location: Boones Mill, Virginia
Moved: 2014
Facebook
Washington – Milwaukee (Chehalis Western) Railroad Depot
Date built: 1910
Location: Morton, Washington
Moved: 2005
Website
Wisconsin – Ahnapee & Western Train Depot
Date built: 1914
Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Moved: Planning stage