chicago & alton railroad depot

KearneyCat

Its not a large museum and it won't take a lot of time but, it's worth your time and effort to go see it while I the area.

VancouverAndersons

This museum shares a parking lot with the National Frontier Trails Museum. We would not have known about it otherwise. When we were there, a volunteer took us through each of the restored rooms- not just the depot, but the stationmaster's living quarters on the second floor. So many stories and artifacts are available. Be sure to check the hours that it is open.

maryanns22

Lots of railroad history - always fun to see and have different exhibits at times. Nothing to dislike.

josh61516

It's a free museum (donation suggested ) there is a very nice man who walks you thru the depot. You can see lots of artifacts and how they lived back to then. Very neat and nice small museum

ontheroadreading

The renovations appeared to be first rate and the artifacts were plentiful and in good condition. A sign requested that we wait for the next guided tour (as one was in progress). Fortunately, a notebook of photos of the various rooms was provided for visitors who could not climb the stairs to the second floor – or in our case who decided to leave after a 30 minute wait for the next tour. I would recommend a visit nonetheless. No admission is charged but a small donation is suggested.

charvey135

This is a restored depot from 1857, and the man (you feel like he was also imported from 1857) who runs the place gives a neat little tour, which includes lots of different antiques. There is even an actual stagecoach from the 1800's sitting outside the depot and you can climb in to take pictures.

KeithO266

A small genuine railroad station, full of railway history brought alive by the two guides. It is totally free, donations if you wish. Lots to see, but maybe younger children would not find much to interest them.

AKButler

We accidentally found this on the grounds of the Western Trails Museum. We liked it better than the museum. We were given a short but interesting tour of the depot. It had some interesting old artifacts. It has been beautifully restored.

ILBoomerTraveller

A beautifully restored old train station that teaches us how people traveled by train in the early years. Well guided tours of the entire facility that will interest those who like railroads or nostalgia.

Gabrielle96

This site was closed when we Rrived bit a very kindly gentleman opened it up just for us. He was very interesting and his love of the railway was evident in his story telling

prowler7

I am glad the depot has been preserved, railroad history is disappearing every day, and having a piece like this available is very important. The tour is very short, as the depot itself isnt very big. However, the Frontier Trails museum is next door, so a stop over there will help fill in an afternoon of history.

monails

A group of volunteers raised money to move and restore this abandoned depot that was set to be demolished. They did a great job on it and now its open for tours. The depot sits across from the Binham Waggoner home, which is also a great place to see. While this is a small building, it is interesting and shows how the train company employed someone and they lived in it. Great for all ages and the tour is short enough to fit in with other activities like the Bingham and the Trail center.

MisterBaragainhunter

Interesting to grown ups but boring for kids! It is a freebie so worth the price of gas. But many other things to do that are more fun & interesting than this place!

tinjen

This place is a wonderful place to stop by and visit. The price is right (it's FREE). We ended up staying about an hour. Our tour guide was a very nice older man and was very friendly and personable. The items inside the depot are authentic and they have done a great job in making sure the items inside are of the right time period. They ask for donations to keep the depot open and they have a few items like t-shirts and books you can purchase. We really enjoyed the depot and it had not been on our itinerary, my husband just happened to go by it when he was driving around town and I am glad he found it, I really enjoyed seeing it. This is a great place to see historical items, learn some local history and railroad history.

Travelingtas

Fantastic piece of history! So many things to see in this station. The above residence is wonderful and is like stepping back in time. Our tour guide had worked at the station as a young man and was filled to the brim with information. He was friendly and willing to answer any questions. Things are in remarkable condition and you can get up close to everything...we had to hold ourselves back from wanting to try all out the old phone, the phonograph, the telegraph...etc. The tour guide even played the Edison phonograph for us, for just a few brief seconds. It still worked beautifully. He stressed how things used to be made to last! Amazing antique furniture and everyday items from the time. Go out of your way to see this. This is free, but do as we did and leave a donation, we must preserve it for our children.