Willmar, Minnesota Great Northern Depot
Willmar, Minnesota Great Northern Depot
The Great Northern Railway depot in Willmar, Minnesota, opened in 1948. Oh, the decisions we make! This rather homely building was the replacement for a stately Cass Gilbert-designed depot.
Like most other communities, railroading has long been an important part of Willmar's economy. The famous William Crooks steam locomotive rolled into Willmar in 1869. The Great Northern and later Amtrak's Empire Builder passenger train stopped here until 1979.
Passenger service here is long gone, but the depot is still in use by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). Freight operations still thrive here. The large rail yard and old Great Northern turntable here are also still being used by BNSF. At one time the yard sported a large roundhouse with all the trimmings.
It's hard to fathom why a classy depot designed by Cass Gilbert would have been replaced by this rectangular plain Jane thing. In any event, the fact that it still stands and is still in use does say something.
