Chicago and Northwestern Railway Depot

The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad built the first depot in Eagle River in 1883, one year after the tracks were laid and the first trains roared into town. As with all small towns, the arrival of the railways was a catalyst to growth. The trains were also a link between the logging era in the Northwoods and what would follow; settlement and later the growth of the tourism era.

The former Chicago and Northwestern Depot in Eagle River, WI, now houses one of the museums of the Eagle River Historical Society.

The existing building is not the original depot. The first building was constructed in 1884, one year after the railroad began service to Eagle River, and served the community until it burned in on February 22, 1923. Prior to its construction, a boxcar served as a temporary depot. The total loss was attributed to an overheated stove, although the destruction was so complete that it was impossible to determine the cause of the fire. The existing building was constructed in1923 using the Chicago and Northwestern efficiency.

The railway used this opportunity to move the depot from the west to the east side of the tracks, a sensible change that eliminated passengers need to cross the tracks to get to the street. At that time most hotels and some restaurants were across Railroad Street from the depot

When the Chicago and Northwestern abandoned its right of way in 1980, the City of Eagle River purchased the depot and it became the Eagle River information bureau for tourists. 1999 brought a new occupant to the depot; the River Valley State Bank leased the building until 2002. Eagle River Rotary led a complete renovation. It kept the basic layout but the freight room was gone; replaced by public restrooms at the north end of the building. Eagle River Historical Society leased the structure for a museum beginning in 2007. The depot became the trailhead for the Three Lakes-Eagle River bicycle trail.

Museum tour

An HO scale diorama, 18’ long, in the museum depicts Railroad Street and the trainyard as they were in 1910. This and other train related exhibits, fill the north end of the museum. An original bench from the waiting room adds an original touch. The north end of the depot was a men’s waiting area and the south end was reserved for ladies, not for modesty’s sake but to allow the ladies to escape the worst of the pipe, cigar and cigarette smoke.

The ticket window area acts as a reception desk with a case of books on local history in front of it. This mid-area is home to a history of the iconic Eagle River ice castles, constructed each year (weather permitting) just to the west of the building. The south end of the building is devoted to history of early businesses. On select days visitors can enjoy an old-fashioned root beer float served from a miniature version of Schlack’s Ice Cream Parlor, once located across the street from the depot. The marble counter and a portion of the soda fountain, along with a representative booth, light fixture and paneling create some the memory of a lost experience. The original soda fountain dishes and glassware are on display. Interpretive materials tell the story of how Prohibition affected local history and social life. In fact, Eagle River voted itself ‘dry’ a year before the 18th amendment was passed.

Eagle River Historical Society. Eagle River, WI: Its History and Its People. Eagle River, WI. Eagle River Historical Society, 2006.