Northern Pacific Depot
Aitkin station is located in Minnesota
Aitkin station
Aitkin station is located in the United States
Aitkin station
Location20 Pacific St., SW,
Aitkin, Minnesota
Coordinates46°31′54.1″N 93°42′27.1″W / 46.531694°N 93.707528°W / 46.531694; -93.707528
Built1916
Architectural styleMission/Spanish Revival
MPSAitkin County MRA
NRHP reference No.82002926[1]
Added to NRHPApril 16, 1982

Aitkin station in Aitkin, Minnesota, United States, is a brick passenger depot built on the Northern Pacific Railway mainline, opening on January 26, 1916.[2] The rail line is now part of the BNSF Railway. The depot symbolizes the importance of the railroad in Aitkin's growth and development.[3]

The railroad line was initially built in 1871. By the early 1900s, Aitkin was emerging as the region's leading supply center, and the old wood-framed depot was considered grossly inadequate. The railway started construction of the new brick depot in 1915.[4] It was built in the Mission Revival style with cut-stone trimmings and a German tile roof. The station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as the Northern Pacific Depot.

Passenger train service to Aitkin station ended on May 24, 1969, when trains 57 and 58 were discontinued between Duluth and Staples.[5]

The building is now occupied by the Aitkin County Historical Society as the Depot Museum.[6] Exhibits focus on the heritage of Aitkin County, including riverboating on the upper Mississippi, Native American culture and immigrant pioneers.

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "New Depot to be opened on Wednesday". Aitkin Independent Age. Aitkin, Minnesota. January 22, 1916. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  3. Nord, Mary Ann (2003). The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society. ISBN 0-87351-448-3.
  4. "Contract let for Nor. Pac. station". Aitkin Independent Age. Aitkin, Minnesota. August 14, 1915. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  5. "Northern Pacific Ends Passenger Route to Duluth". Star Tribune. May 25, 1969. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  6. Sign posted outside the building.
Preceding station Northern Pacific Railway Following station
Cedar Lake
toward Staples
Staples Duluth Rossburg
toward Duluth
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