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Now home to the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Urban Education, the Chicago Great Western Railroad built this historic freight depot in 1903. It is the only steam railroad depot remaining in Waterloo and represents the significant role railroads played in the growth and prosperity of the city. The building is utilitarian in appearance but does feature large round arches connected by a band consisting of a smooth concrete blocks, molding, and light-colored brick. The exterior is built of rough-cast concrete blocks, which reflects its industrial purpose. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.


Built in 1903, the Chicago Great Western Railroad Freight Depot is the only steam railroad depot remaining in the city. The city currently leases it to the the University of Northern Iowa, which houses its Center for Urban Education in the building.

Car, Wheel, Tire, Sky

Railroads were critical to the development of Waterloo in the second half of 19th century. Two had arrived by 1870—the Illinois Central, the Burlington and the Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. The Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City Railroad, which later became the Chicago Great Western Railroad, arrived in 1884. Under the leadership of its president, A.B. Stickney, the company decided to build two depots near the downtown area on either side of the Cedar River to be closer to residents. The closer proximity of businesses to the freight depot would also facilitate the easy transfer of shipments to and from Waterloo.

The company built a passenger and a freight depot (other railroads built depots close to downtown by this time as well) and built another passenger depot by 1899. In 1903, the company razed the freight depot and built the current one and also built a new passenger depot, which was demolished in 1973. The University of Northern Iowa acquired the freight depot in 2001.

Jacobsen, James E. "Chicago Great Western Railroad: Waterloo Freight Depot." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. January 17, 1997. https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_IA/88001325.pdf.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Jim Roberts, via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chicago_Great_Western_Railroad-Waterloo_Freight_Depot.jpg