Rugby in Pierce County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Great Northern Depot

Built 1907

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 31, 2023

1. Great Northern Depot Marker

Inscription. has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
September 26, 1991

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 48° 22.186′ N, 99° 59.847′ W. Marker is in Rugby, North Dakota, in Pierce County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West Dewey Street and 2nd Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling west. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just to the left of the north (trackside) entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 West Dewey Street, Rugby ND 58368, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Geographical Center of North America (approx. 1.1 miles away).

Regarding Great Northern Depot. National Register of Historic Places #91001466, as Great Northern Passenger Depot.

From the National Register Nomination:
The building was built by the Great Northern Railroad Company by Architect, Samil L. Bartlett; H.H. Hogeland served
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as Chief Engineer on the original project. A formal reception and grand ball christened the depot on June 21, 1907. One of few extant Great Northern Railroad passenger depots remaining in the state, the Rugby Depot is nominated as a remnant of the Railroad's former command of North Dakota's northern tier between Grand Forks at the eastern border to Williston in the west. The building's Tudor Revival design merits nomination as a style rarely found in the state's inventory of depot architecture.
Over the years, the depot has been a festive social scene receiving a special train during World War I carrying war relics, speakers and even a marine band. Other notable events were the exhibition of a 55-foot-long Pacific whale called the "Colosus" on special railroad siding, and an appearance on June 6, 1939, by the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway.

Also see . . .
1. Rugby Station/Great Northern Depot (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

Rugby station is served by Amtrak's Empire Builder line. The station was built in 1907 as the Great Northern Passenger Depot. In 1987 a local Lions Club chapter was among the groups involved in a restoration project for the station.

(Submitted on October 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Rugby Station (RUG).

The
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 31, 2023

2. Great Northern Depot Marker
(marker is on left side of north entrance)
Great Northern Railway (GN) built the one-and-a-half story Tudor-style station in 1907. The waiting room features glazed tile wainscot on the lower third of the walls, a beautiful yet utilitarian design choice since it was durable and easy to clean. Wood framing accentuates the single and grouped windows, and handsome wood benches welcome passengers. In 1987, a multi-year restoration project was begun by the city, Lions Club, Amtrak, local businesses and citizen groups. By 1988, they had begun painting the entire station interior, which had not been painted since the 1960s. They also completely refurbished the terrazzo floor, cleaned the original oak benches, rewired the original brass electric light fixtures and hung large railroad photographs. Many railroad artifacts are also displayed.

(Submitted on October 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. National Register of Historic Places Nomination (pdf). (Submitted on October 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Great Northern Depot (<i>west elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 31, 2023

3. Great Northern Depot (west elevation)

Great Northern Depot (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 31, 2023

4. Great Northern Depot (northeast elevation)

Great Northern Depot (<i>east elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 31, 2023

5. Great Northern Depot (east elevation)

Great Northern Depot (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 31, 2023

6. Great Northern Depot (southeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.