Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Depot, Freight House and Train Shed - Minneapolis, MN - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

In the second half of the nineteenth century, the expansion of railroads to Minneapolis solidified the city as an industrial and commercial center in the upper Midwest. The Milwaukee Road Depot and the Freight House, located in the Mississippi Milling District, remain lasting monuments to the importance of freight transportation during the early development of Minneapolis.

The “head station,” situated on the corner of Washington Avenue and Third Avenue, acted as the end of the line for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company. Built between 1897 and 1899, the three-story Renaissance Revival building is detailed with arched doorways, a heavy cornice, and terra cotta wreath ornaments.

The 140-foot clock tower was originally capped with an elaborate cupola, but it was removed after extensive storm damage in 1941. The interior features marble floors, detailed plaster walls, and carved wood ceilings.

Extending behind the station is a long-span, steel truss-roofed train shed that stretches approximately 625 feet. While the last train left the depot in 1971, the train shed remains one of only twelve like it in the United States.

In 1998, The City of Minneapolis sold the Depot. The new owners have successfully turned the Depot into a mixed use complex with hotels, an indoor water park, a seasonal ice-skating rink, a bar and restaurant, a banquet space, and an interpretive history center.

Street address: 300 Washington Avenue South Minneapolis, MN USA 55415 County / Borough / Parish: Hennepin Year listed: 1978 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1875-1899 Historic function: Transportation Current function: Commerce/Trade Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/10/2012 50 State Redhead visited it 12/09/2011 stlee visited it 09/21/2011 Benchmark Blasterz visited it 06/21/2011 WayBetterFinder visited it 06/11/2008 meralgia visited it

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