The same could nearly be said for Ralston itself. Other than what I believe is the old hotel, a modern grain silo, and a handful of houses, there really isn't much of a town at all.
Also, I finally found a historical image of the Interurban depot at Medical Lake, Washington and can quite safely conclude that the depot standing there is not that building. Taking another appraisal of the depot-turned-house, I'm now thinking it could be a modified passenger section from a Milwaukee Road depot of the 24 foot width type like the survivors at Kent and South Cle Elum. The only other such depot of that style I'm aware of that was ever in eastern Washington was the structure at Malden, which seems like a reasonable distance for relocation. Does anyone know anything of the Malden depot's fate, or of any other depots of similar design in Eastern Washington or Idaho that could be candidates? I've attached an image of the building at Medical Lake taken from Google Earth street view.
Malden is gone. Burned down, arson. The only depots I know of, which might have had a roof line similar, are accounted for: St. Maries still in RR use. Malden gone. Cedar Falls, Cle Elum and Kent still in some type of known use. Right now, no others on the Idaho or Coast Divisions are coming into mind. Pine City is known. Warden is known. Ralston wrong and gone. Revere long gone and wrong style. Tekoa two story with attached freight house. Ruff wrong and gone, as is Marcellus. Looks like a mystery continues. I wonder if tax records could give a hint?
Thanks for the info. I think Rosalia's was the wrong design as well. Tax records list the house as built in 1900, which is probably just rounded or an approximation if Spokane County is anything like King County in their build date accuracy. Other than that, they aren't of much help. It looks like the Medical Lake Historical Society disbanded a few years back, so that isn't of much help. Perhaps I'll have to resort to some door-knocking or a stop at the Medical Lake library at some point to see if I can find out some more info.
If built in or close to 1900, that eliminates the MILW. Their permanent Washington depots were mostly completed in the 1909-1911 year range. The RR did not start officially operating until March of 1909 and did so with many smaller portables, Standard Class D (of 1909) and Standard Class C Telegraph Offices.
Like I said, assessor dates are definitely something to be taken with a grain of salt. Several of the oldest houses in Seattle, built in the 1880's, list their build date as 1900 on King County assessor data.
Another thing. It would seem a bit of a stretch for many depots to be moved a long distance. Some were, but most weren't. Medical Lake is around a 70 mile drive north of Ewan on the MILW. Just for fun, I'm going to ask a fellow I know if he can think of anything which might fit.
On another sad note, in the most recent Google Earth imagery, the former Metalline Falls Branch depot at Ione is now gone from its site in town. While it is possible the building has been moved, it had sat vacant for a number of years, and unlesss otherwise confirmed, I am going to assume it was demolished.
In late April, I went to see the depot in Cle Elum, but I couldn't get inside to look around the building. It was a Monday, and nobody was around. There was a sign on the door, advertising that they needed volunteer docents. I live in Vancouver, WA, so it's impossible for me to volunteer in Cle Elum. Otherwise, I would do just that.
If I still lived in the Upper Snoqualmie Valley, I would be at South Cle Elum often. But I am about 500 miles away these days. If I could figure out how to survive, I would happily move to Cle Elum.
I was at the Cle Elum depot in April. I walked around the trail where the yard was, too. But I was disappointed that I could not gain entry into the station. Admittedly, it was a Monday, and apparently, they are closed on Mondays. But they also had a message on the door mentioning that they needed volunteer docents for the museum inside. I would be more interested in helping the Cascade Rail Foundation by being a docent for the museum, but even though I'm a Washington resident, I live in Southwest Washington, too far to go often to the depot. My parents do live in Covington, just east of Kent, and not too far from Renton, so hopefully sometime I'll be able to visit them and help volunteer for Cascade Rail Foundation.
I believe it is still a dentist's office, but a different owner. You could probably walk around the outside, during open hours. Maybe take a peek inside the waiting room area. But it is altered, so you won't get a clear picture of how it was when in RR use.
Great place, if you want braces!! Beautiful on the outside though, pretty much original. Never seen the inside.
Wher You say the one in Cedar Falls is in Covington, next to an airfield? Where is the airfield? My parents have lived in Covington for quite a few years, but in all those times I've visited them there, I never heard of an airfield being there.
It is up on the hill, west of the Crest Airpark. (Airfield.) Go east on Covington Way, cross the railroad tracks, up the hill. Top of the hill, turn right onto 176th Ave SE. Go south and turn right then turn right onto (?) SE 300th (It has been a few years since my last visit with Fred and his depot/home.) It bends right then left, going west, becoming SE 298th. Depot/home is on your right, set back a bit off the road. http://www.train-orders.com/ASDP/MILWDP/M03.jpg
