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 (Photos #6, 19, 23
through 26). 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
Today this building is still a train station. It houses Amtrak Station, also houses the local Visitors Center and an Art Gallery