Little Falls and Dakota Depot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Little Falls and Dakota Depot
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The depot from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Depot Lane, Starbuck, Minnesota |
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| Area | .83 acres (0.34 ha) |
| Built | 1882 |
| Built by | DeGraff and Company |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000424 |
| Added to NRHP | May 24, 2006 |
The Little Falls and Dakota Depot, also known as the Starbuck Depot, is an old train station in Starbuck, Minnesota. It served as a busy railway station from 1882 until 1982. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. It was recognized for its important role in local business, the settlement of the area, and transportation. The depot helped new train lines and people move into the region. It also helped Starbuck grow as a center for farming trade. Starting in 1986, a group called the Starbuck Depot Society worked to restore the building. Today, it is part of an outdoor museum where visitors can learn about its past.
Contents
The Depot's Story: A Look Back
How Railroads Helped Minnesota Grow
In the early 1870s, train tracks already crossed parts of Minnesota. However, they had not yet reached Pope County. Because of this, not many people lived there at first. Railroads were very important for people to settle new areas. They made it easier to travel and move goods.
Building the Little Falls and Dakota Line
In 1879, some local business people started the Little Falls and Dakota Railroad. Their goal was to build a new train line. This line would run from Little Falls, Minnesota, all the way to the border of Dakota. Two big railway companies, the Northern Pacific Railway and Great Northern Railway, were competing. They both wanted to control the train lines across the country. Each company saw a chance to gain power and valuable land rights in this new area.
The Race to Starbuck
The Great Northern Railway quickly started building tracks for its St. Cloud and Lake Traverse Railway. This line was south of the Little Falls and Dakota line. It was heading east towards Starbuck. But the Little Falls and Dakota line, secretly supported by Northern Pacific, got to Starbuck first. This was a big win because they secured the important mail delivery contract for the town. They then continued building their line to Morris. The Great Northern's line from Morris to Starbuck was not used much. So, it was closed not long after it was finished. In 1882, when the Little Falls and Dakota line was complete, the Northern Pacific Railway leased it. They bought it completely in 1900.
A Place for Community and Celebration
The Starbuck Depot became a special place for the town. For Starbuck's 100th birthday on July 1, 1983, a huge lefse was cooked on the depot grounds. Lefse is a traditional Norwegian flatbread. Since 1987, the city has held an annual "Lefse Dagen" festival at the depot site. This festival celebrates Norwegian heritage and community.
See also
