Iowa Falls in Hardin County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Original Train Depot
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
1. Original Train Depot Marker
One of the first train depots in Iowa Falls was a wooden structure operated by the Chicago-Rock Island Railroad.
The building was manned 24/7 by clerks, called train masters. Their job was to record and track trains coming and going through the area.
One day a stray dog showed up at the depot begging for food and became a regular. The dog was nicknamed Poncho. At that time, train masters slept in the depot and one evening the train master was awakened by Poncho's barking. The man got up to chase the dog off and found the wood burning stove had caught the building on fire.
The train master escaped injury and Poncho became an honorary railroader who lived at the depot for the rest of his days. The dog was given a special resting place on the south side of the Sycamore tree planted for the E. Olin Soute memorial, along Rocksylvania Ave., east of the depot.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 42° 31.286′ N, 93° 15.143′ W. Marker is in Iowa Falls, Iowa, in Hardin County. It is on East Rocksylvania
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Regionally, this marker is 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: E. Olin Soule Tree and Plaque (a few steps from this marker); Illinois Central Depot, Iowa Falls (approx. 0.2 miles away); Railroad Car (approx. 0.2 miles away); Julia O'Neil Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Original Site of Ellsworth Municipal Hospital (approx. 0.3 miles away); L.E. Jones Mansion (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carnegie-Ellsworth Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iowa Falls.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
2. Original Train Depot Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 1, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
