What Is the Northern Pacific Railroad?
This was Bismarck’s flagship passenger depot on the Northern Pacific Railroad!
What Makes It Historical?
In September of 1900, the Northern Pacific Railway broke ground on a new passenger depot to replace their first one, which had burned to the ground two years earlier. After razing the Sheridan Hotel for space, they brought on nationally renowned architects, Charles Reed and Allan Stem, to create it, and they came up with a very unusual design! Californians may be familiar with Spanish mission-style architecture, but in North Dakota, this was a real stand-out!
Opening on December 6, 1901, this depot served 24 passenger trains a day on their 2,831-mile journey between Duluth, Minnesota and Tacoma, Washington! This continued all through the early part of the 20th Century until automobile travel spelled the doom of many railroad companies. After a merger with four other lines in 1970, the renamed Burlington Northern Railroad vacated this magnificent depot for good in 1975.
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the State Historical Society of North Dakota!
- Donate to the State Historical Society of North Dakota!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
407 E Main Ave
Bismarck, ND 58501
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Enjoy the outside any time you like, but at the time I visited (2022) the facility was closed for renovations!