NRHP Reference # 94000087 Added to NRHP 23 February 1994 | Opened 1898 | |
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Location Junction of 1st and Chesnut Sts., Atlantic, Iowa MPS Advent & Development of Railroads in Iowa MPS Architectural style Renaissance Revival architecture Built by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad | ||
The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Depot, also known as the Rock Island Depot, is an historic building located in Atlantic, Iowa, United States. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad built the first tracks through the area in 1868. The city of Atlantic was founded at the time of the railroad construction. It grew to become the largest and the most significant community along the Rock Island lines between Des Moines and Council Bluffs. The present depot dates from 1898, and it is not a standard-plan depot for the railroad. The unusual design suggests it is the work of an architect, possibly from Chicago. It was built during a prosperous period for the railroad when it was able to replace its facilities along its mainline. The express freight and baggage building attached to the depot was built at the same time. The passenger depot replaced a frame combination passenger and freight depot a block away. After its use as a depot, the building fell into disrepair before it was restored. It now houses the local chamber of commerce. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.