Built To Last

Built in 1906, the depot is not only picturesque but built to last. It is so solid that when the Amtrak train goes by at 60 miles per hour, twice daily, there isn't so much as a quiver in the building.

Souvenirs are available for sale Thursday through Saturday. Although the building is not always open for visitors, there are usually volunteers there every day

Inside

The ticket office welcomes visitors as they enter the building through the big double doors. The ticket office has it's original molding and details. Visible through the windows is the telegrapher's desk.

On the north side of the ticket office is the ladies' waiting room. High ceilings, tall windows, two rows of seats back to back and wainscoting well above eye level show the original grace of the room. In days gone by no smoking, cussing or spitting were permitted in the ladies waiting room. Those vulgar activities were relegated to the men's waiting room, located south of the ticket office.

A freight room was added later. It was used by Railway Express Agency which offered freight services in the depot. Packages and freight of all types and sizes could be shipped. The original scales are in place, with weights and balances that could weigh shipments up to several tons in weight.

Fruit Warehouse

The Knudson Fruit and Produce Warehouse is located south and east of the depot. Local fruit and produce - peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes and trout from the Mantua Hatchery were shipped throughout the country. During World War II, when there were 14 employees at the depot and as many as 18 passenger trains a day, servicemen passed through the depot, some on their way to their stationed areas and others to Bushnell Military Hospital by way of a railroad spur from the depot directly to the hospital.

Ownership

The building was deeded over to Box Elder County by Union Pacific Railroad in January of 1994, following two years of negotiations with Union Pacific, Box Elder County and the Golden Spike Association. When the building was deeded over to the county, the county commissioners didn't accept ownership of the depot but immediately turned the deed option over to the Golden Spike Association.

Plans for the Future

The charm of the building which sat empty for more than 20 years, is being recaptured as the refurbishing begins. Renovations started two years ago but there have been no architectural or structural changes made.

All the work done at the depot has been by volunteers and many of the materials have been donated. Workers have repaired and upgraded plumbing and electrical wiring, stripped up to eight coats of paint on some surfaces, and applied new coats of paint or wood finishes. There is still a great deal of renovation to be done but it can only be completed as money becomes available.

Glover and the association have high hopes for the depot. "My dream is that someday, my grandchildren will be able to buy a train ticket at the depot and ride the train out to Promontory," she stated. That's a long way off and includes such obstacles as re-laying 26 miles of track on the old road bed between Brigham City and Promontory Point, the site of the driving of the gold spike in 1869.

Other plans include acquisition and restoration of the Corinne depot. The Corinne depot was cut in half and moved to two different locations. The Golden Spike Association has found the good half of the depot and is going to move it back to it's original site. The association would also like to acquire the Knudson Fruit and Produce Warehouse and make it part of the museum complex that they envision. Many would consider the goals too ambitious and the obstacles too great, but the association members tackle one obstacle at a time.