HISTORY

In 1851, the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad started laying track. Eight years later in 1859, the railroad opened for business in buchanan county. 

 

Independence's first depot, constructed of wood, was built in 1860. By 1864, the young railroad had reached the Cedar River at Cedar Falls, and then turned North to Waverly. Two years later, a bridge over the Cedar River at Cedar Falls was finished and the track was continued to Iowa Falls. 

 

In 1867, the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad was leased to the Illinois Central Railroad. By 1870, the Illinois Central was operating 1,107 miles of track; 705 miles in Illinois along with 402 in Iowa. 

 

Independence businessman C.W. Williams completed his kite-shaped racetrack in 1890. This horse track attracted 100,000 race fans each year!

 

In 1892, due to the growing traffic to its racetrack and the state hospital, the current brick depot was built. Mr. Williams built a hotel to accommodate the race fans, and a trolley that originated at the depot- going to the racetrack-and ending at Fairview Park. Independence was to become known as the "Lexington of the North."

Mr. Williams furnished a full length canopy to the new depot but a train derailment in 1936 tore down that canopy. 

 

The last major renovation the Illinois Central Railroad accomplished was to the interior of the depot in 1947-48. 

 

In 1994, a dedicated group of six or so volunteers began completing their idea of purchasing, relocating, and restoring the Illinois Central Depot. The canopy was rebuilt in 1999. The group purchased a 1978 32-ton caboose, and later a 1926 90-ton locomotive engine. The baggage building and railcar also were installed on the new property along with the depot station. Final touches such as baggage carts, infrastructure updates and final renovations were completed to create the current Independence Depot. 

 

Although such tremendous progress has been made to restore this monumentous piece of history, there are still many goals and projects to achieve in the maintenance and growth of this landmark.