Chicago and North Western Depot (Watertown, Wisconsin) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chicago and North Western Depot
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The depot with "Watertown" still written on the outside
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| Location | 725 West Main Street, Watertown, Wisconsin, United States |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Charles Sumner Frost |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000086 |
| Added to NRHP | March 28, 1979 |
The Chicago and North Western Depot in Watertown, Wisconsin, is an old train station that was built in 1903. It was operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway. This building served as a place where people could catch trains from 1903 to 1950. After that, it was used for carrying goods on freight trains until 1976. Today, this historic building has been changed into a flower shop. You can still see the Union Pacific Railroad's single track, called the Clyman Subdivision, right in front of the depot.
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A Historic Train Station
The Chicago and North Western Depot is a special building with a long history. It was designed by a famous architect named Charles Sumner Frost. The building shows off a style called Victorian architecture, which was popular when it was built.
Built for Trains
When it first opened in 1903, the depot was a busy place. People would come here to travel by train across the country. Imagine the hustle and bustle of passengers arriving and departing! This continued for nearly 50 years.
After 1950, fewer people traveled by train. So, the depot changed its purpose. It started handling freight, which means it was used to load and unload goods carried by trains. This went on until 1976.
A New Life for the Depot
After its time as a train station ended, the building found a new purpose. It was converted into a florist shop. This means it's now a place where people can buy beautiful flowers. It's cool how an old building can be used for something completely different! Even though it's not a train station anymore, the tracks are still there. The Union Pacific Railroad still uses the tracks in front of the old depot.
On the Historic Register
Because of its important history and unique design, the Chicago and North Western Depot was added to special lists. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. It was also added to the State Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin in 1989. These listings help protect the building and remind everyone of its past.
