|
|
|
-
 |
|
| |
|
Missouri
Valley Passenger Station
Deadwood, South Dakota |
|
Restoring the Depot
Although the railroad arrived in Deadwood in 1890, it wasn't until 1897
that the railroad announced the construction of a depot of "pressed
brick and Hot Springs pink sandstone."
The announcement continued, "The waiting rooms...will be large and
cheerful, and the building will be equipped throughout with modern
conveniences." Construction proceeded rapidly, and the depot formally
opened for business on October 13, 1897. Its original cost is in
dispute; some sources say $25,000, others $40,000. Either way, it was a
considerable expense at the time.
In the 1920's the railroads fortunes began to
want. In 1941 the depot was renovated for use as an express office. When
Deadwood's city hall burned down in 1952, it was altered again to serve
as city hall, police department, and jail. In the process, the
building's design was significantly changed. In the 1960s the jail and
police department moved out, and the building was renovated again, to
house Deadwood's fire department.
In 1988 the Deadwood Historic Preservation
Commission recognized the historical importance of the depot, and in
1990 a historic conservation project was initiated to return the
building to its original appearance. Its original elements were
carefully renovated or reconstructed, and the later alterations were
removed.
 |
| |
|
|