Great Northern Depot (Skykomish, Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Great Northern Depot
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The depot in 2008
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| Location | SE corner of Railroad Ave and 4th St Skykomish, Washington |
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| Built | 1894 |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000322 |
| Added to NRHP | April 14, 1997 |
The Great Northern Depot in Skykomish, Washington is an old train station built in 1894. It was constructed by the Great Northern Railway. This historic building once served as a busy hub for passengers and freight. Today, it stands as an important reminder of the area's railroad past.
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History of the Great Northern Depot
The Great Northern Depot was first built in 1894. Its original spot was on the south side of the train tracks, near 5th Street. In 1922, the entire building was moved. It was relocated to its current place on the north side of the tracks, at 4th Street.
What the Depot Looked Like
The depot is a single-story building made of wood. It has a rectangular shape. Inside, it had three main parts. There was a waiting room for passengers. There was also an office for the station agent. This person managed the station and train movements. Finally, there was a large room for storing freight.
Skykomish: A Railroad Town
The town of Skykomish was created because of the railroad. It became a "division point" for the Great Northern Railway. This meant it was a key stop where trains would change crews or get extra help. The railyard in Skykomish was very important. It was used by special trains called helper locomotives. These helper locomotives would add power to trains. They helped push or pull heavy trains up the steep hills towards Stevens Pass.
Changes Over Time
Train travel changed a lot over the years. In the 1950s, passenger trains stopped coming to Skykomish. This meant people could no longer ride trains to or from the depot.
The End of an Era
In 1970, the Great Northern Railway merged with another company. It became part of the Burlington Northern Railroad. After this, the railyard and buildings in Skykomish were no longer used. The old train yard needed a lot of work. It is now going through a process called environmental remediation. This means cleaning up any pollution from the past. Because of this cleanup, the depot has been moved temporarily to keep it safe.
Why the Depot is Important
The Great Northern Depot is a special building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1997. This list includes important historical sites across the United States. The depot was recognized for two main reasons. First, it is one of the last Great Northern depots still standing in Washington State. Second, it shows how important railroads were in developing Washington. It tells a story about how trains helped towns like Skykomish grow.
