The depot's restoration project has started. It has a new roof as of March 1st. In the next few months the depot will have the soffits replaced, restore the doors and windows, and tuck point the exterior.
This project is supported in part by the State Historical Society of Iowa, Historical Resource Development Program.
Photos are available at: http://minburndepot.shutterfly.com.
The Minburn Community Betterment Group is working to relocate and renovate the M&StL Depot
The MCBG Preservation Committee's regularly monthly meeting is the second Tuesday at 7:00 PM at the Heartland Coop basement meeting room.
Initiatives include:
1869
Des Moines Valley Railroad lays track from Des Moines to Fort Dodge; Minburn is born
1890's
Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad leases the line
1906
Minneapolis and St. Louis R.R. (M&StL) buys the line
1914
Original wood depot burns and is replaced with brick depot
September 9, 1917
A train wreck occurs just outside of Minburn
April 19, 1959
Final M&StL passenger train run
November 1, 1960
Chicago & Northwester R.R. (C&NW) buys the line from M&StL for $20,929,000
1961
Last freight train received at the depot
April 25, 1995
Union Pacific R.R. (UP) merges with C&NW
May 2004
UP runs its last train on the line
September 3, 2004
UP files with ICC for abandonment of the line
March 26, 2007
Minburn Community Betterment Group (MCBG) is born and initiates Depot restoration