Duluth Depot facts for kids
The Depot viewed from the north
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| Established | 1973 |
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| Location | 506 W. Michigan Street, Duluth, Minnesota, United States |
| Type | Arts and Culture Center |
| Architect | Peabody and Stearns |
| Public transit access |  DTA |
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Duluth, MN
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| Former Amtrak inter-city rail station | ||
The North Star at the Duluth Depot,
September 1981 |
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North Star
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| Platforms | 3 island platform 1 side platform |
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| Tracks | 7 | |
| History | ||
| Opened | 1892 | |
| Closed | 1985 | |
| Proposed services | ||
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St. Louis County Depot
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| Architectural style | Châteauesque | |
| NRHP reference No. | 71001028 | |
| Added to NRHP | December 9, 1971 | |
| Location | ||
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The St. Louis County Depot is a very old and important building in Duluth, Minnesota. It was first built in 1892 as a big train station. Many different train lines used to stop there.
Train service stopped in 1969, and the building was almost torn down. But it was saved and reopened in 1973 as the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center, also known as The Depot. Trains even started running from there again between 1974 and 1985 with Amtrak.
Today, St. Louis County owns the building. It is home to two museums: the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and the St. Louis County Historical Society Museum. It also hosts two performing arts groups: the DSSO and the Minnesota Ballet. Plus, it's where the North Shore Scenic Railroad starts its fun train rides!
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What is The Depot Like?
The Depot is located at 506 West Michigan Avenue, right next to I-35. This historic building has many cool artworks and old items inside. It also has a special theater for new plays and hosts public events in its big main hall.
In 1977, a new part was added to the building. This addition holds a large theater and a ballet studio. Downstairs, where the trains used to be, there are several platforms and seven tracks. One of the tracks is still used by the scenic railroad. The other tracks are used to show off different old trains and train cars.
The Depot's History
The building you see today is actually the second train station built on this spot. The very first one was a small wooden building from 1869. That same year, many Swedish immigrants came to Duluth. They were looking for work building the first railroad line in the city, called the Lake Superior and Mississippi.
Building the Grand Depot
The famous architectural company Peabody and Stearns designed the current Depot. They used many materials found nearby, like granite, sandstone, and yellow brick. The building was made in a style called French Norman. It took two years to build and cost $615,000. It was finished in 1892, and the older wooden station was then taken down.
Over many years, seven different train companies used the Depot. These included the Duluth & Iron Range, Duluth, Missabe, & Iron Range, Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic, Duluth Missabe & Northern, Great Northern Railway, Northern Pacific, and the Saint Paul & Duluth.
Inside the Old Station
The main entrance on Michigan Street led into a large "general waiting room." Today, this room is known as the Great Hall. It used to have a place to buy newspapers and snacks. The main floor also had a barber shop, a Western Union telegraph office, a smoking room, a ladies' waiting room, and a men's restroom.
A big roof, called a train shed, used to cover the train platforms. But it was removed in 1924. It was replaced by the smaller roofs, or canopies, that you can still see today.
End of Regular Train Service
The last regular trains to use the station in the late 1960s were the Great Northern Railway's Badger and Gopher. Both of these trains went to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Northern Pacific Railway also ran local trains to St. Paul and Minneapolis, and to Staples, Minnesota.
The station officially closed in 1969. It was planned to be torn down, but it was bought from the railroad for $250,000. Even though the building was in great shape, it still cost $4.7 million to fix it up.
In 1971, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was recognized as an important example of large train stations from that time. These stations were vital connections to the rest of the country.
Amtrak Trains at The Depot
Even though The Depot was now an arts center, Amtrak started offering train service there for almost ten years (1977–1985). In 1975, Amtrak launched a train called the Arrowhead. It ran from Minneapolis to Superior, Wisconsin, which is just south of Duluth.
At first, a bus service connected Duluth to Superior. But in 1977, the Arrowhead train was extended directly to The Depot. In 1978, a new train called the North Star took over from the Arrowhead. This train also went south from Minneapolis–Saint Paul all the way to Chicago, Illinois. The next stop for both Amtrak trains after Duluth was in Superior.
In 1981, the North Star train's route was shortened. It only went as far as the Midway Station in Saint Paul. Finally, in 1985, Amtrak stopped the North Star train. This meant all regular passenger train service to Duluth ended.
What's Happening at The Depot Today?
The Depot is a busy place with many different groups and activities.
North Shore Scenic Railroad and Museum
Fun train rides from the station are offered by the North Shore Scenic Railroad. This is a special heritage railroad run by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. You can take trips that last from one to six hours. These trips go northeast along the beautiful shore of Lake Superior. They visit places like the Lester River, the area of Palmers, and the city of Two Harbors. The railroad also has special trips throughout the year and can be rented for private events.
St. Louis County Historical Society
The St. Louis County Historical Society has exhibits inside The Depot. One of these is the Veterans Memorial Hall, which honors people who served in the military.
Minnesota Ballet
The Minnesota Ballet has three practice rooms in The Depot. They also put on special events and performances in the building sometimes.
The Depot Foundation
The Depot Foundation works to keep The Depot a lively and welcoming place for arts, culture, and history. They do this by managing and growing a special fund.
Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO)
The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO) brings together talented musicians. They offer a wonderful experience for everyone, whether you love classical music or are new to it.
Future Train Plans
There are plans to bring faster train service back to Duluth. In 2011, ideas for renovating The Depot were made to prepare for the Northern Lights Express. This would be a higher-speed train service from Minneapolis to Duluth. The project would cover about 155 miles. It is expected to follow a route similar to Amtrak's old North Star train. Stops would include Coon Rapids, Isanti, Cambridge, and Hinckley in Minnesota, and also Superior, Wisconsin.
See also
