Avery Depot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Avery
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| Former Milwaukee Road passenger rail station | |||||||||||
The Avery Depot in 2015
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| Location | 10 Depot Road, Avery, Idaho 83802 | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Opened | 1909 | ||||||||||
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Avery Depot
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 Location in Idaho
Location in the United States
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| Location | Avery, Idaho | ||||||||||
| Built | 1909 | ||||||||||
| Architect | Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad | ||||||||||
| Architectural style | Craftsman | ||||||||||
| MPS | North Idaho 1910 Fire Sites TR | ||||||||||
| NRHP reference No. | 84001142 | ||||||||||
| Added to NRHP | September 20, 1984 | ||||||||||
The Avery Depot in Avery, Idaho is a historic train station. It was built in 1909 by a big railroad company. This company was called the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, but most people knew it as "The Milwaukee Road."
This depot was an important stop on their long railway line. This line stretched all the way from Chicago, Illinois to the Pacific Northwest.
Contents
The Avery Depot: A Historic Train Station
The Avery Depot was a special place for trains. It was where electric trains started their journey. Before Avery, trains used noisy steam engines. But from Avery onwards, electric power took over. This was thanks to special wires above the tracks called "overhead catenary." These wires supplied electricity to the trains. This made the journey quieter and cleaner.
What Was The Milwaukee Road?
The Milwaukee Road was a very large railroad company. It built tracks across many states in the United States. Its goal was to connect the Midwest to the Pacific Ocean. This huge project was called the "Pacific Extension." The Avery Depot was a key part of this extension. It helped people and goods travel across the country.
How Did Electric Trains Work Here?
At Avery, the railroad changed from steam power to electric power. Imagine a giant electric slot car track! Electric locomotives got their power from overhead wires. This was a big deal for its time. It showed how advanced the railroad was. Electric trains were more efficient and powerful. They were especially good for climbing steep mountain passes.
The Depot's Design
The Avery Depot is a rectangular building. It is made of wood and has one story. Its style is called "Craftsman." This style often uses natural materials and simple, strong designs. Inside the depot, there were different areas. One part was for passengers to wait. Another section was a freight room for goods. In the middle, there was an office for the station agent. There was also a lunch room, sometimes called a "beanery," for hungry travelers.
A New Life for the Depot
The Milwaukee Road railroad faced tough times. In the 1980s, the company went out of business. The Avery Depot was then sold. The town of Avery bought it. They turned the old train station into a community center. This means it's still a busy place today. It serves the people of Avery in a new way.
Why Is It Historic?
The Avery Depot is a very important building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are special because of their history. The depot is on this list partly because of a huge event. This event was the Great Fire of 1910. During this massive wildfire, the depot was used as a safe place. People could go there to escape the fires. This shows how important the depot was to the community.
