The Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum

The Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum, located in the Northern Pacific�s beautiful former Wallace, Idaho depot, houses a small collection of railroad artifacts related to the local area and that of the railroads which operated there. It is not a large museum but for anyone interested in history and or railroads a visit should very much be in order if you have a chance. Perhaps what the museum is most well known for is its annual Depot Days event, which celebrates transportation and is highlighted by a car show.

So, for those in classic/appealing cars you may want to plan a trip to the event! Also, if you are interested in biking and/or the Milwaukee Road, very close by is part of the former Pacific Extension turned into a rail/trail, Route of the Hiawatha.

Below is a brief overview and history of the museum courtesy of Historic Wallace Idaho and VisitIdaho.org:

The elegant chateau styled depot, which houses the two story Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum, was built at the turn of the century with unique brick transported from China and concrete panels made from mine tailings. Railroads have been an integral part of the mining district since 1887. In 1976, while still in business as a railroad station, the depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A decade later, after the station closed, it was moved 200 feet to make way for the completion of Interstate 90. The celebrated move, rehabilitation and conversion to a museum cost nearly two-thirds of a million dollars.

The museum transports you back to the time when railroads were the king of transportation. Exhibits tell of the rich history of railroading in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District and of the depot itself. You can see a rare 13 foot glass map of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Join us for Depot Days, a classic car show and festival held each year on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

Season: Summer , Spring

Hours: Jun.-Aug., 9am-7pm daily. April, 10-3 Mon.-Sat. and Sept 1 -Oct 15., 10am-3pm Mon.-Sat. Closed for winter from Oct. 16 to March 31.

Fees: Adults, $2; Seniors, $1.50; Children, $1; Special group rates

Northern Pacific Depot Foundation

Mailing Address

Box 469

Wallace, ID 83873

Street Address

219 6th Street

Wallace, ID 83873

For more reading on the Northern Pacific you might want to consider the book Northern Pacific Railway Photo Archive by John Kelly. The author gives a superb pictorial history of the railroad from the 1930s through the 1960s and features both freight and passenger operations If you have any kind of an interest in the Northern Pacific you are sure to enjoy Sullivan's book.

Also, consider the book The Vista-Dome North Coast Limited: The Story of the Northern Pacific Railway's Famous Domeliner by author William Kuebler, Jr. The book is over 300 pages and highlights the Northern Pacific's passenger operations, particularly its famous North Coast Limited flagship train.

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