Billings in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

The Northern Pacific Depot - 1909

Historic Montana Avenue

By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

1. The Northern Pacific Depot - 1909 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The depot was opened in 1909 for use by three railroad companies: the Northern Pacific, Great Northern, and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. Designed in the Beaux Arts Eclectic style, the depot was designed by the Northern Pacific Railroad's chief engineer and featured a spacious waiting area for 200 passengers, a gentlemen's smoking room, a ladies' waiting room, a baggage area and service offices. The depot complex also included a railroad lunchroom, a mail building and an office building.

Erected by Downtown Billings Starts Here. (Marker Number 45.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 45° 47.021′ N, 108° 29.979′ W. Marker is in Billings, Montana, in Yellowstone County. Marker is on Montana Avenue (Business Interstate 90) near North 23rd Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2310 Montana Avenue, Billings MT 59101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Northern Pacific Depot "Union Station" (within shouting distance of this marker);

By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

2. The Northern Pacific Depot - 1909 Marker

The Billings Brewery - Opened in 1899 (within shouting distance of this marker); Billings Townsite Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); The Flood of 1937 (within shouting distance of this marker); Teddy Roosevelt Visits the Depot - 1918 (within shouting distance of this marker); Rex Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Yellowstone Garage - 1920 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Beanery - 1909 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Billings.

More about this marker. Markers erected by Downtown Billings Starts Here are secure to streetlight standards and are only visible from the sidewalk provided they are not covered by a flower pot.

Also see . . . History of the Depot -- Billings Depot. By 1914, almost 10,000 homesteaders, many traveling by rail car, claimed land at the Billings land office and train tracks had been extended in ten directions. (Submitted on February 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

The Northern Pacific Depot image. Click for full size.

By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

3. The Northern Pacific Depot

The Northern Pacific Depot - Vintage Postcard image. Click for full size.

By eBay.com

4. The Northern Pacific Depot - Vintage Postcard

The Northern Pacific Depot, track side -- Vintage Postcard image. Click for full size.

By eBaycom

5. The Northern Pacific Depot, track side -- Vintage Postcard

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.