County of church: Franklin County
Location of church: Front St., at the foot of Elm St., Washington
Built: 1923
Classified: D
District Map
"One of Missouri's few rivertowns which still retains an orientation to the river, Washington survives with riverfront blocks which include all of the industrial buildings, two depots, an electric power plant, a waterworks, and an underground reservoir.
"Early Twentieth Century, circa 1905-1940. Coded D .
This group of twenty-one buildings includes numerous one and two-story commercial buildings, four residential buildings, a gas station, depot, Masonic Lodge, and a parochial school. All show influence of progressive 20th century design traditions, including Craftsman, Bungaloid, Art Deco and Moderne. The Craftsman aesthetic is best expressed in the 1923 depot (Photo # 6, left) with its overhanging
eaves supported by large wood brackets and rectangular openings with
tripart upper sash; ...
" ... In 1923, when a new brick passenger depot was erected at 301-223 W. Front, the frame depot was moved to its present site at 401 W. Front and put in service as a freight depot. ... " ~ NRHP Nomination Form
MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILWAY STATION
1923
"For several years, Washington's Mayor Joh J. Ernst, the city council and other officials repeatedly partitioned the Missouri Pacific Railway Company to build a new depot at Washington. Finally, work on the improvement was started early in 1923. Construction continued throughout that year, with a red tile roof put on the station in November 1923.
"The Craftsman styled depot was designed by E.M. Tucker and was erected by J.G. Wuellner & Son of Alton, Illinois. Construction of the new depot, together with track changes and site preparation work, cost $52,000.
"When the new station opened for service at noon Friday, January 4, 1924, it provided Washington with the most modern railway facility possible. The main waiting room was equipped with all modern devices for the comfort of travelers. The ticket and telegraph office adjoined the main waiting room on the west side with a small business office where trainmen received orders from the telegraph operators. Two large rooms for handling baggage and empress were on the west end of the depot. The walls throughout the interior of the new depot were of a buff color, while all the woodwork was stained in oak. pavilion, 24 feet square, adorned the east side of the station.
"This is the third depot constructed on this site. The first was destroyed by Confederate soldiers in 1864. The second, the 1865 frame depot, was moved west of this site and continued in use as a freight depot.
"Rail passenger service was discontinued at Washington on April 30, 1971. In 1985 ownership of the railway station was transferred from Union Pacific Systems to the City of Washington.
~ Washington Historical Society
"This l½ story masonry building has a white stone string course separating water table from upper level. The main entry fronts the railroad tracks on the north elevation. This elevation contains a brick bay which pierces the roofline and contains a casement window beneath the roof line. On the interior this bay and a gabled dormer on the south elevation form a mezzanine space. The gabled dormer features applied stucco panels and half timbering. Windows are 3/1 with stone sills and 3 light transoms above. Door openings where not boarded contain wooden doors with multi light panes of glass in the upper portions. The roof has deeply overhanging eaves with large decorative wooden brackets as supports. The brick bay also has deep eaves. Here wooden brackets and dentiling can be seen. The original roof was red clay tile. It has been replaced by an asbestos shingling circa 1935.
"This is the third depot construction on this site. The first was destroyed by Confederate soldiers in 1864. The second, a frame depot, was moved west of this site continuing use as a freight depot. The current passenger depot was constructed in 1923 by E.M. Tucker for Missouri Pacific Railroad." ~ Washington Historic Survey Phase I, pages 35-37