Ottumwa in Wapello County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Depots of Ottumwa

Wabash | Union | Southside | Sherman Street

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

1. Depots of Ottumwa Marker

Inscription.

Depots of Ottumwa. Wabash | Union | Southside | Sherman Street. , Ottumwa greeted the arrival of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad (B&M) on September 1, 1859, with a grand celebratory feast, attended by thousands. The original station was located between Vine and Union Streets next to the tracks. Ottumwa was the end of the rail line until after the Civil War in 1866 when the rail line was extended to Albia eventually reaching the Missouri River in 1869. Additional train lines arrived throughout the late 1800s connecting Ottumwa in all directions. , Wabash Station , Railroads continued to expand into Ottumwa. In 1878 the St. Louis, Kansas City, and Northern Railroad arrived. Eventually becoming part of the Wabash Railroad system with a station east of Jefferson Street. A branch line was extended to the southside in 1893, furthering industrial development by improving access to the rail line and more affordable housing for employees. , South Ottumwa Station , The South Ottumwa Station was built by the Wabash Railroad as a combination passenger and freight station. This depot was located near the intersection of Garfield Street and North Sheridan Avenue. The Wabash branch line to Ottumwa connected the main line which ran from Buffalo, New York to Kansas City, Missouri. Connections like this allowed industry to flourish in Ottumwa. , Union Station , The two-story Union Station opened in 1889 as a combination freight and passenger depot. It served the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad and the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad. This depot was a hub of activity for the city, spurring the growth and development of the downtown area. The current depot, opened in 1951, uses the foundation of the original Union Station. , Sherman Street Station , The Sherman Street Station, located on the west side of Ottumwa, was also referred to as Ottumwa or Milwaukee Junction. It was operated by The Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad (Milwaukee Railroad) which arrived in Ottumwa in 1881. The Milwaukee Railroad also shared a two-story wooden freight house, west of Jefferson Street with the Wabash Railroad.

Ottumwa greeted the arrival of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad (B&M) on September 1, 1859, with a grand celebratory feast, attended by thousands. The original station was located between Vine and Union Streets next to the tracks. Ottumwa was the end of the rail line until after the Civil War in 1866 when the rail line was extended to Albia eventually reaching the Missouri River in 1869. Additional train lines arrived throughout the late 1800s connecting Ottumwa in all directions.

Wabash Station
Railroads continued to expand into Ottumwa. In 1878 the St. Louis, Kansas City, and Northern Railroad arrived. Eventually becoming part of the Wabash Railroad system with a station east of Jefferson Street. A branch line was extended to the southside in 1893, furthering industrial development by improving access to the rail line and more affordable housing for employees.

South Ottumwa Station
The South Ottumwa Station was built by the Wabash Railroad as a combination passenger and freight station. This depot was located near the intersection of Garfield Street and North Sheridan Avenue. The Wabash branch line to Ottumwa

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connected the main line which ran from Buffalo, New York to Kansas City, Missouri. Connections like this allowed industry to flourish in Ottumwa.

Union Station
The two-story Union Station opened in 1889 as a combination freight and passenger depot. It served the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad and the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad. This depot was a hub of activity for the city, spurring the growth and development of the downtown area. The current depot, opened in 1951, uses the foundation of the original Union Station.

Sherman Street Station
The Sherman Street Station, located on the west side of Ottumwa, was also referred to as Ottumwa or Milwaukee Junction. It was operated by The Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad (Milwaukee Railroad) which arrived in Ottumwa in 1881. The Milwaukee Railroad also shared a two-story wooden freight house, west of Jefferson Street with the Wabash Railroad.

Erected by Main Street Ottumwa and City of Ottumwa.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is September 1, 1859.

Location. 41° 1.123′ N,

Marker detail: Wabash Station image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Wabash Station

92° 24.878′ W. Marker is in Ottumwa, Iowa, in Wapello County. It can be reached from South Washington Street (River Street) just south of West Main Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is overlooking the fountain in Ballingall Park, directly in front of the historic Burlington Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 West Main Street, Ottumwa IA 52501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of Ballingall Park (a few steps from this marker); Burlington Depot (a few steps from this marker); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Locomotive 3001 (within shouting distance of this marker); National Humane Alliance Fountain (within shouting distance of

Marker detail: South Ottumwa Station image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: South Ottumwa Station

this marker); J. B. Sax Co. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edna Ferber (approx. 0.2 miles away); Philip B. Hofmann (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ottumwa Public Library (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ottumwa.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Marker detail: Union Station image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Union Station

Marker detail: Sherman Street Station image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Sherman Street Station

Marker detail: Ottumwa Stations image. Click for full size.

6. Marker detail: Ottumwa Stations

A. Wabash Station
B. South Ottumwa Station
C. Union Station
D. Sherman Street Station

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2025

7. Depots of Ottumwa Marker

Looking north across the Ballingall Park fountain. West Main Street is in the distant right background.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on March 27, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 28, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.