Eland in Shawano County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Eland Depot, 1908
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018
1. Eland Depot, 1908 Marker
In 1888, The Milwaukee Lake Shore & Western Railroad established a depot here at Eland Junction. It became a transportation hub over time, with up to 64 trains passing through daily. The traffic in lumber, iron ore, meat and tourists helped open up the northern and western frontier of Wisconsin to European settlement.
The depot provided food and refreshments in its original octagonal lunchroom until it burned down in 1912. It was rebuilt as the structure you see today, serving passengers and crews until the last train passed through Eland in 1994.
From the Pineries to the Present Heritage Tourism Area
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 44° 52.287′ N, 89° 12.883′ W. Marker is in Eland, Wisconsin, in Shawano County. It is on Wheeler Avenue just north of Cedar Street (County Road OO), on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the south side of the Eland Railroad Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7718 Wheeler Avenue, Eland WI
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, 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 Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Eland Schools (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Norrie thrived on lumber and agriculture (approx. 2½ miles away); The Homme Homes (approx. 3½ miles away); Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Old Tigerton Village Hall (approx. 11.7 miles away); Tigerton Lumber Company (approx. 11.8 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Bethany Indian Mission & School (was approx. 3.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Eland Depot Park (villageofeland.wi.gov).
(by Scott Ekern) Excerpt: The restored Eland Depot is a historical museum that showcases railroad(Submitted on April 18, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)memorabilia and history of the local community. Along with the museum, there is also approximately 1700 feet of railway with 3 small working train engines for rides and display. The depot can be opened for viewing with advance notice or during the Eland Day celebration that is typically the 2nd Saturday in August. The Eland Area Historical Society maintains and is actively restoring the depot and equipment.
2. Marker detail: Eland Depot ActivityThe original octagonal lunchroom is between the two rail lines.
2. Eland History (villageofeland.wi.gov).
The village of Eland was originally named "Eland Junction" and was platted in 1888 by the railroad. In the late 1800's and early 1900's Eland was a large terminal for freight and passenger trains for the Chicago & Northwestern railways. The railway line split at Eland offering 2 routes south to Chicago: one through Green Bay and Shawano; the other through Clintonville and Oshkosh. During the railroad peak, there were as many as 20 trains that would pass through Eland in a day.(Submitted on April 18, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)The railroad made Eland a thriving community for residents and businesses. Around the Railroad Depot there was a bank, multiple stores and even the "Fuller House" hotel with restaurant that had a famous T-Bone steak. Today the big trains are gone, the railways have been converted to bike/recreational trails and business has changed. However, the old railroad depot still remains. In the 2000's many community members got together to fix up the depot and turn it into a museum to help keep Eland's rich railroad history alive.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018
3. Eland Depot, 1908 Marker
The marker is on the south side of the Eland Depot.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018
4. Eland Depot (southeast elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018
5. Eland Depot (northwest elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018
6. Eland Depot (southwest elevation)
The former rail lines on the west and east sides of the depot have been repurposed as recreational trails: Mountain-Bay State Trail [west side left foreground] and Wiouwash State Trail [east side right background].
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 18, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
