Fort Dodge in Webster County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Chicago, Great Western Depot
1905-1964
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 8, 2017
1. Chicago, Great Western Depot Marker
This is the historic site of the Chicago, Great Western Depot. Previously known as the Mason City and Fort Dodge Railroad, the Chicago, Great Western Railroad constructed rail lines into Fort Dodge around 1886 and provided passenger connections to Minneapolis, Omaha, and Des Moines until 1965. The Chicago, Great Western Depot and the Illinois Central Depot served as bookends to the downtown. A street car was later built to connect these two depots that each housed north-south and east-west passenger lines. The railroad would sometimes run excursions from Fort Dodge to other locations, providing rates at anywhere between half and one-fifth of the cost. These excursions were held to promote travel between serving cities and were sometimes provided for large events. The depot building was demolished in 1964, near the time passenger rail service ended in Fort Dodge.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 42° 30.357′ N, 94° 10.942′ W. Marker is in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in Webster County. Marker can be reached from Central Avenue just east of South 12th Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in the small Veterans Memorial Park at Central Avenue & South 12th Street. Touch for map.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Fort Dodge Post Office and Federal Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Webster County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Dodge City Hall, Police & Fire Department (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Dodge Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Dragoon Trail Historical Site Marker No. 12 (approx. 1˝ miles away).
Regarding Chicago, Great Western Depot. The Chicago Great Western (not to be confused with the Chicago & North Western) was a Granger road, which radiated out from its hub in Oelwein, Iowa. Main lines went to St. Paul, Chicago, Kansas City, and Omaha. It was a spunky competitor against the larger Granger roads, and it had some difficult times.
Also see . . .
1. Chicago Great Western Railway. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 29, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The greatest excursion ever run from the west... (The Fort Dodge Messenger: June 19, 1905):
What was, according to men in positions to know, the greatest excursion ever run from the west, passed thru Fort Dodge Saturday. The excursion was the greatest in several ways, having the largest number of passengers drained
2. Marker detail: Chicago, Great Western Depot
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 8, 2017
3. Chicago, Great Western Depot Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 10, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
