Chicago and Northwestern Depot (Wilmette, Illinois) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chicago and Northwestern Depot
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Illinois Show map of Illinois Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	1135-1141 Wilmette Avenue Wilmette, Illinois
Built	1873
NRHP reference No.	75000658
Added to NRHP	1975

The Chicago and Northwestern Depot is a historic building in Wilmette, Illinois. It used to be a train station for the Chicago and North Western Railway. Today, it is on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special building protected for its history.

This station was built in 1873. It first served as a place where people could catch trains. Later, in the 1890s, it became a station for moving goods, or "freight." It closed in 1946. In 1974, the building was moved to a new spot to save it from being torn down. Now, it's a restaurant! People have called it "Wilmette's most historic building." When it first opened, a newspaper even said it was "the finest station on the entire line."

History of the Wilmette Train Station

Building the First Station

The very first train station in Wilmette was built around 1870 or 1871. A group of landowners paid $700 for it. They hoped the station would help the area grow. This first station wasn't just for trains. It was also used for important local events. For example, people voted there in 1872 to decide if Wilmette should become an official town.

The New Fireproof Depot

Sadly, the first station burned down. So, in 1873, residents built the Chicago and Northwestern Depot. They wanted it to be much safer. This new station was designed to be fireproof. It cost $3,400, which was a lot of money back then! Ten local residents donated the money to build it.

The depot was built in the Italianate style. This means it had a classic, fancy look. It was made of brick and had a sloped roof with columns at the front.

From Passenger to Freight Station

By the 1890s, more and more people were commuting from Wilmette. Commuters are people who travel regularly between their home and work. They needed a bigger, newer station for passengers. So, the Chicago and Northwestern Depot was moved. It went one block north from its original spot.

After the move, it became Wilmette's freight depot. This meant it was used for shipping goods, not people. The depot stayed a freight station until 1946. At that time, all freight service for Wilmette moved to Evanston. The old depot was then boarded up, and its train platform was removed.

Saving the Historic Building

For many years, the old depot sat empty. On June 13, 1974, it was moved again. This time, it was moved away from the railroad tracks to its current location. This move saved it from being demolished.

In 1975, the depot was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This recognized its importance. For a few years, a cable television company used the building. Then, in 1992, a family leased it and opened a restaurant called the Old Ouilmette Depot.

Sadly, a fire in 2004 caused the restaurant to close. The building was empty again until 2008. That's when a new restaurant, Depot Nuevo, opened its doors in the historic building.

Images for kids

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  An old Chicago and North Western train stops at Wilmette in 1963.