nrhp # 92000822- The depot was built in 1902 of red-faced brick and stone trimming. It consisted of a baggage room, men’s waiting room, family waiting room, and the east end lunch room. For 87 years the Chicago-North Western Railroad had passenger rail service at Sleepy Eye. The streamliner “Dakota 400” made its last stop in Sleepy Eye on October25, 1959. After that, the depot served as a freight office.
In the early 1980’s the C&NW Railroad offered to sell the depot and Sleepy Eye Depot Preservation Inc. was formed to purchase and renovate the depot. A fund drive was started and in 1984 the depot was purchased. Since that time many changes have taken place. The building was re-roofed and the bricks were tuck pointed and cleaned. Inside, the woodwork was finished and insulation was inserted behind the wall panels. The floors were sanded and sealed, a new electrical system and gas furnace were installed and the bathroom area renovated. All the windows were replaced with new energy efficient ones. A handicapped accessible ramp and landscaping enhanced the building.
On July 3, 1990 the Sleepy Eye Area Historical Society received the keys to the depot and opened a museum, which displays many artifacts from the Sleepy Eye area. On the grounds right next to the museum stands a tall granite obelisk, marking the gravesite of the Dakota Chief, Ish Tak Ha Ba (Sleepy Eye). In 1992, the depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 25, 1992.
from waymarking.com
Posted by kevystew on 2020-04-04 20:37:39
Tagged: , minnesota , browncounty , sleepyeye , us14 , trainstation , station , depot , nationalregister , nationalregisterofhistoricplaces
