Hardin in Big Horn County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Burlington Northern Depot
Hardin Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 19, 2021
1. Burlington Northern Depot Marker
Inscription.
Burlington Northern Depot. Hardin Commercial Historic District. Hardin’s first railroad depot was moved from Fort Custer after being cut into small sections and transported by train over the Big Horn Bridge. That depot was expanded in 1909, but was deemed inadequate after the homestead boom dramatically increased freight and passenger traffic during the teens. Modeled on Burlington depots in Nebraska, the 1923 depot is a hollow clay tile structure with a brick and stucco veneer. The interior included a general waiting room, men’s waiting room, ticket office, and baggage and express room. Segregation was in effect in Hardin, and in addition to men’s and women’s bathrooms, there was a separate bathroom for Indians. Like other depots, the back of the building (facing the town) is equally as prominent as the building’s front (facing the tracks). Declared by the Hardin Tribune to be “one of the best depots” for a city Hardin’s size “between the Missouri river and the coast,” the building, at an estimated $100,000 price tag, showed the railroad’s faith in Hardin’s future.
Hardin’s first railroad depot was moved from Fort Custer after being cut into small sections and transported by train over the Big Horn Bridge. That depot was expanded in 1909, but was deemed inadequate after the homestead boom dramatically increased freight and passenger traffic during the teens. Modeled on Burlington depots in Nebraska, the 1923 depot is a hollow clay tile structure with a brick and stucco veneer. The interior included a general waiting room, men’s waiting room, ticket office, and baggage and express room. Segregation was in effect in Hardin, and in addition to men’s and women’s bathrooms, there was a separate bathroom for Indians. Like other depots, the back of the building (facing the town) is equally as prominent as the building’s front (facing the tracks). Declared by the Hardin Tribune to be “one of the best depots” for a city Hardin’s size “between the Missouri river and the coast,” the building, at an estimated $100,000 price tag, showed the railroad’s faith in Hardin’s future.
45° 43.823′ N, 107° 36.315′ W. Marker is in Hardin, Montana, in Big Horn County. Marker is on East Railway Street near North Central Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 East Railway Street, Hardin MT 59034, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is on a pedestal below the "Hardin Depot" sign.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 19, 2021
3. Track-side side of the Burlington Northern Depot
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 2, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.