Fundraising continues for train depot renovation

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Fundraising efforts are underway to restore a piece of Charles City history and give it new purpose.

Built in 1912, the Milwaukee Road depot served as the “Entrance to Charles City” in the days when passenger trains were the standard for long-distance transit. For years the depot saw the arrival of four trains daily, bringing people back and forth from Mason City, Sioux-Falls, the Twin Cities, and Chicago.

The depot saw its last passengers arrive in 1960, after which the building was used as a base for the local track maintenance crew.

Slated for demolition by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 2018, the building was saved by the efforts of the American Passenger Train History Museum (APTHM), a local organization created to preserve the history of both Charles City and the rail system at large.

In the fall of 2021, APTHM was able to relocate the depot building, moving it two blocks south to sit next to the Charley Western trail.

Today the group is working on the next phase.

“We’re doing major fundraising to try and get the building restored,” said APTHM President Robert Moen. “We worked with the architect and we’re getting final design plans shortly.”

Moen says they are making plans to renovate the building to serve multiple purposes.

First and foremost, the depot will serve as the entrance and display area for the train museum, hosting historical information and video presentations for visitors to enjoy.

Due to its position next to the Charley Western Trail, the building will also be used as a trailhead for the bike route, offering well-lit 24/7 restroom access for passing travelers.

Finally, Moen says that the building is planned to be available for private rental in the evening hours, serving as a venue for meetings, receptions and other gatherings.

The estimate to restore the depot building is coming in at about $968,000, with Moen saying that they are already about a quarter of the way there between grants and donations, including a one-to-one matching donation of up to $100,000 from the James Smith family.

Once the museum reaches 65% of its funding goal, Moen says they can apply for a state grant that should get them the rest of the way, leaving about $450,000 left to raise.

The old depot isn’t the only thing looking at a facelift though. The APTHM has a collection of about 18 historical passenger cars in various states of condition, with more on the way. Volunteers are welcome to join in the efforts of getting these cars up to shape for visitors to enjoy.

“A lot of the work we do is painting and replacing windows. Eventually there will be a lot more interior work,” said Moen. “If anybody is interested in playing with trains, give us a call.”

Moen hopes to have enough ready for an open house in April of next year where people can see the building and get a feel for what the APTHM wants to do with it.

“We’re going to try to have some train cars open as well,” said Moen.