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North Lee County Historical Society

Santa Fe Railroad Depot

Fort Madison, Iowa 52627  (319) 372-7661

SANTA FE DEPOT

In 1887 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad completed the Mississippi River Railroad Bridge at Fort Madison, Iowa. This route was teh most direct from Kansas City to Chicago. Fort Madison was a division point on the Santa Fe for over 100 years and the Santa Fe Historic Center and Museum in Fort Madison reflects the rich heritage of one of the most romantic and famous railroads in the world. The Santa Fe wanted the tourists to go west and constructed its buildings in the Mission Revival style found in the southwest United States. The bell tower, arches, curved windows, tile roof and long, low design of the structure are beautiful and practical.

Railroad operations were conducted from this site as two wooden depots preceded the present structure. The two other buildings on the site are the 1936 Railway Express Agency building, which was part of the national rail parcel transport system and the 1930 Freight office building where Santa Fe freight was processed and then shipped to area towns. The Historic Center is situated along the Mainline of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and is considered by many train buffs to be one of the best viewings sites for the 6- to 70 trains that pass by daily.

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