Chicago and North Western Depot (Waukesha, Wisconsin) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chicago and North Western Depot
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The historic depot, now a restaurant
Location	319 Williams Street, Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
Built	1881
Architect	Samuel Dodd
Architectural style	Queen Anne
NRHP reference No.	95000142
Added to NRHP	February 24, 1995

The Chicago and North Western Depot in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is a historic railroad depot. It was built in 1881 and used by the Chicago and North Western Railway. This 1.5-story building is made of cream-colored brick. Today, it has a new life as a Mexican restaurant called La Estacion.

Behind the main building, you can see five old passenger cars. People believe these cars once belonged to the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad. They are now used as extra dining areas for the restaurant. In front of the depot, there are also two boxcars and a caboose. We don't know where these specific cars came from.

What is the Chicago and North Western Depot?

The Chicago and North Western Depot was once a busy train station. It served as a stop for passengers traveling on the Chicago and North Western Railway. This railway was a very important company in the history of American transportation.

A Look at the Building

The depot building itself is quite old. It was built in 1881, which means it's over 140 years old! The building is made of cream-colored bricks and has 1.5 stories. This means it has one full floor and a smaller half-floor above it. The architect who designed it was Samuel Dodd. The building's style is known as Queen Anne. This style was popular in the late 1800s and often features interesting shapes and details.

Train Cars at the Depot

One of the coolest things about the depot today is the old train cars. They are parked right next to the building. The five passenger cars behind the depot are now part of the restaurant. Imagine eating your dinner inside a real train car! There are also two boxcars and a caboose in front. These old cars help you imagine what the depot looked like when trains were still arriving and departing.

Its Place in History

The Chicago and North Western Depot is important because of its history. It played a role in connecting Waukesha to other places by rail. The depot was recognized for its historical value. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Before that, it was listed on the State Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin in 1994. Being on these lists means the building is considered a special historical landmark.

Nearby Rail Lines

Even though the depot is now a restaurant, it's still next to active train tracks. The Wisconsin and Southern Railroad has a main line right there. There's also a connection, called a junction, that links to the Canadian National Railway's Waukesha Subdivision just to the east. Some of the old Chicago and North Western tracks that used to be west of WI 164 have since been removed.