Alexandria station (Minnesota) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Great Northern Passenger Depot
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The Great Northern Passenger Depot from the southeast
Location in Minnesota Show map of Minnesota Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	N. Broadway & Agnes Blvd., Alexandria, Minnesota
Area	less than one acre
Built	1907
Architect	Great Northern Railway; Evenson, Earle & Aiton
NRHP reference No.	85001760
Added to NRHP	August 15, 1985

The Alexandria station is a really old train station in Alexandria, Minnesota. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It's also known as the Great Northern Passenger Depot.

The Alexandria Train Station

Trains first came to Alexandria in 1878 with the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad. Later, the Great Northern Railway wanted more people to visit Alexandria. They printed brochures and offered good prices on tickets. Because so many tourists started coming, the old wooden train station wasn't big enough anymore.

A Special Building

The new train station, built in 1907, was much fancier than most other stations. Usually, train companies used simple, standard designs. But the Alexandria depot was special!

It had:

• Beautiful mosaic tile floors
• Fancy birch wood details
• Shiny enameled brick walls
• Comfy furniture for travelers

The station was also built right next to a park, which was super convenient. It became one of the biggest and most decorated train stations along the Great Northern line in Minnesota.

From Trains to Tacos!

The Alexandria station was a busy place for passengers until May 1, 1971. The very last passenger train to leave the station was called the "Western Star." After that, the station only handled freight (goods) until 1976. Then, it closed its doors completely.

In 1984, the building was sold. Its new owners fixed it up and reopened it the next year. It became a restaurant and lounge called the Depot Express Restaurant and Lounge. Today, the old train tracks next to the building are now a walking and biking path called the Central Lakes State Trail.