GN Surviving Washington State Great Northern Depots

Fairlane500 Jan 24, 2014

  1. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    Good Afternoon,

    Continuing on from my previously posted lists of Milwaukee Road and Northern Pacific depots, the following is a list of the surviving passenger and combination depots used by the Northern Pacific Railroad in Washington State.

    My main resources have been the information that rrshs.org maintains, information provided by various members of the railfan community online, Washington State Railroad Depots by Clive and Ann Carter, and various County Assessor websites. Depots I've confirmed in person are marked with a *. All others have been positively identified using Google Earth, I can provide the .kml file if you PM me.

    This list is only complete to the best of my knowledge. I appreciate any information that can be used to correct my information or add additional depots I have omitted.

    Built by GN:

    Newport-Seattle Main Line
    Newport - 4th Depot, built 1911 - On site, Stimson Lumber offices
    Elk - 1st Depot, built 1905 - Moved south, away from tracks, VFW Hall
    Milan - 1st Depot, built 1902 - Moved 1/4 mi north on Milan-Elk Rd, Residence
    Hillyard - 2nd Depot, built c. 1906 - Moved to Diamond & Haven, Residence
    Hillyard - 3rd Depot, built 1941 - Moved near Trent & Progress, Spokane, Vacant restaurant
    Spokane - 2nd Depot, built 1902 - Riverfront Park, Only clocktower remains
    Ephrata -2nd Depot, built 1902, remodeled - On site, In use by BNSF
    Quincy - 1st Depot, built 1906, remodeled - On site, In use by BNSF
    Wenatchee - 2nd Depot, built 1909 - Only Lunchroom remains, In use by BNSF
    Cashmere* - 2nd Depot, built 1910 - On site, In use by BNSF
    Leavenworth* - 2nd Depot, built 1928 - Moved to SW end of Front St, Chumstick Grange
    Winton (from Chiwaukum)* - 2nd Depot, built 1911 - Moved South along Winton Rd, Storage
    Skykomish* - 1st Depot, built 1898 - Moved across tracks to city park, Under restoration
    Everett* - 2nd Depot, built 1909, remodeled - On site, In use by BNSF
    Edmonds - 1st Depot, built 1891, remodeled (or new, 1957) - On site, Amtrak station
    Ballard* - 2nd Depot, built 1914 - Moved slightly west, Residence
    Seattle* - 3rd Depot, built 1907 joint w/NP - On site, Amtrak/commuter King St. Station

    Everett-Blaine Line
    Mount Vernon-Burlington - 1st Depot, built 1968 - On site, In use by BNSF
    Blanchard* - 2nd Depot, built 1910 - Moved into town at Washington & Legg, Community club
    Bellingham* - 2nd Depot, built 1927 - On site, In use by BNSF
    Blaine* - 2nd Depot, built 1908 - On site, unused

    Anacortes-Rockport Line
    Anacortes* - 4th Depot, built 1911 - On site, Depot Arts & Community Center

    Wenatchee-Chopaka Line
    Entiat* - 2nd Depot, built 1961 - Moved into town, Residence
    Okanogan - 1st Depot, built 1914 - Moved N of Omak to Woods Rd, Residence, highly remodeled
    Omak - 1st Depot, built 1913 - Moved near 6th & Jackson, Residence
    Oroville - 1st Depot, built 1907 - Moved to 12th & Ironwood, Oroville Depot Museum
    Nighthawk - 1st Depot, built 1906 - Moved into town, Residence

    Kind Regards,
    Kyle
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 24, 2014
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  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    The line noted and the depot- It should be noted that neither one was ever GN RY. Yes, GN bought the PCRR, 1951. But it was always an independently operated subsidiary, thereafter. After steam was retired, they used GN power, but still had their own caboose. The depot was built for the PCRR, using parent company design- But it was always a PC depot. The same was true of Maple Valley, when it still existed. PCRR maintained their own personnel, paychecks, ETT, train orders, paperwork, etc, until the end, when merged into BN.
     
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  3. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the info. I'll go ahead and move the PCRR depots into my list of depots to post for smaller operators and interurbans.
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Also, for anyone wanting to see the Milan depot, it has been remodeled a bunch, and is up on a hillside, where it is easy to miss. You need to stop, then look at it for a few minutes, then you can clearly see GN heritage. Actual location is 34920 Milan-Elk Road.

    I have sent Mark (RRSHS) a bunch of information, such as the above, these past few years. Getting him to update the site is a real pain in the rear end. I sent him a whole list of recent confirmations, corrections, accurate addresses, plus additions late last summer, and he never did add any. So I have given up. Quite frankly, I am a bit more than irked. A historical group must be accurate, otherwise their value is lost.
     
  5. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    I got a couple of updates through to the site a while back, I guess I was lucky in that regard. I'd been meaning to update him with one in California that I found had burned down, but that sounds like a lost cause now. A shame there isn't a site dedicated to being accurate and up-to-date, but I suppose that takes a lot of time and motivation most of us don't have. I suppose it's best to just keep on as some of us are doing, compiling our own lists as best as we can.
     
  6. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    It does make one wonder, though. If depots like Milan and Okanogan have been moved and modified to the point that they are hard to recognize, one has to wonder if there are other unknowns out there that have had similar fates. The same thought often crosses my mind regarding depots moved to farms. In many rural states, such as Montana and North Dakota, a number of the surviving depots are now outbuildings on farms, yet the only one I know if in Washington to currently have that status is the MILW depot from Pine City.

    Just makes one think sometimes.
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yeah. Dealing with Mark is a spotty thing, at best. Sometimes he answers almost immediately. More often, you cannot ever establish contact. Sad.

    There is another fellow with a web site about depots. Has them located on a state by state map. He gets most of his info off RRSHS. Has many missing, some sites improperly sited on the map, and others which need to be (such as demolished) updated. I tried to get a dialogue established with him. Got one response, and then nothing. Seems to me that if a web page is put up, it might as well be well kept. Leaving omissions and errors causes problems down the line, from those who unfortunately take word as gospel, without checking for themselves. I'm sure you know the old saying of repeat it often enough, it becomes the truth.

    Just like the genealogy troubles my family has with one web site. Somebody decided my maternal grandmother's name was Elizabeth, and now that is all over the 'Net. Anyone in the family tree simply picking it up and using it. It is a huge family tree! So a whole lot of folks active. Elizabeth isn't even close, and to top it all off, the fellow who put it up passed away. So no repairs there.

    I have found a few hidden away depots, section houses and more. Some were even in plain sight. All sent along to RRSHS at one time or another. But... Anyhow, before it was demolished, although not moved as far as Pine City, Ralston (MILW) was in nearby farm use. It had been in decent condition before moving. I don't understand why people go to the effort and expense of moving a building, only to hack it up so badly it quickly falls apart.
     
  8. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    Moving on to the Great Northern photos from my trip, here are my pictures of the depots at Quincy and Ephrata. Quincy looks like it's still being kept up fairly well but unfortunately Ephrata's is looking a little worse for wear these days.
    IMG_4266-001.jpg IMG_4277-001.jpg
     
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  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Is it just me, or? But your photo of Ephrata, and the way it looked to me my last stop there, seems like the track has been raised over the years....
     
  10. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    I think it's just an optical illusion, where I was standing was a bit below-grade, so it just makes the tracks appear a bit higher than one would think.
     
  11. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    In my archives I also have this photo taken at the site of the Chelan depot. Is there any kind of a railroad connection to this structure? Was it perhaps the replacement for the original depot?
    IMG_2171-001.jpg
     
  12. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I guess so. Just went back and looked at my last photos.

    Did you notice that bolted on screening, etc? To keep the local trash from breaking windows and burglarizing the place. sad.
     
  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sure could be RR.
     
  14. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Could it have been some form of speeder shack in days gone by? Sure looks like there was originally a larger door on the track side.

    And if one of you could confirm a hunch, is the roll-up door on the Quincy depot a newer add/replacement? Sure doesn't look "in place."
     
  15. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    I had the same thoughts that a larger door had been replaced. That feature and the type of construction really do make me think it was some kind of BN MOW structure that replaced the depot.

    I think you mean the Ephrata depot with the roll-up door. It definitely is a newer addition. The depot was for a long time much larger, but was cut down sometime in the 70's or 80's, I believe the door was added after that event. Here's a photo of the previous appearance: http://www.wsrhs.org/pict/eph.jpg
     
  16. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    I did. It's really sad what people will do these days to their local history. What really amazes me is that the Quincy depot manages without it, considering Ephrata overall seems to be a little cleaner than neighboring Quincy.
     
  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I agree with your perception of those two places. Although my last stop in Quincy, I got gas and a few snacks at one C-store, which came with a smile and friendly help. Whereas, when I stopped in Ephrata, only a short time beforehand, I was eyeballed like the Martians had landed. Guess we never know what to expect, or where. :(
     
  18. Fairlane500

    Fairlane500 TrainBoard Member

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    I would modify my orignal post, but it seems that isn't allowed, so I'll add sad news here:

    In continuing "clean-up" of unused structures, BNSF first demolished the Ephrata depot sometime last year, and now this spring they followed it up by bulldozing the one at Quincy. That leaves Cashmere as the only intact depot on the eastern Washington portion of the mainline still under railroad ownership. Given its level of integrity, let's hope the penny pinchers don't put it up on the chopping block next.
     
  19. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    This is where we need a button for dislike, unhappy or similar. :( Not for the post, but the subject matter. :( Difficult to believe there is so little remaining. Not difficult to see why trackside communities feel no attachment to the RR these days, given the fact of how RRs have disconnected themselves from the local people. :(
     
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  20. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Sad the Quincy depot has fallen. :cry: I got the opportunity to go inside it and check it out a few years ago with Dan Bolyard from Big Bend Railroad History and some fellow fans. Somehow I managed to find the depot keys and some others on a key ring in my bag when I got home, hmmmmmmm......:whistle:
     

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