The Beginnings of Business

Construction of the Union Pacific depot began the first week of August, 1901; seventy years later, the last passenger train pulled out of the station. In 1993 a community effort to preserve the depot began to take shape, and a year later the Manhattan/Riley County Preservation Alliance was formed with the depot renovation as one of its main goals.
Restoration occurred in three phases - over an eleven-year timespan - culminating with the dedication of the restored facility in the summer of 2006.
The depot is now available for public use by contacting the Manhattan Parks and Rec offices at: 785.587.2757
[Photo captions, from top to bottom, read]
The Manhattan Union Pacific Depot is a survivor. Waters from the flood of 1951 were over six feet deep in the building, with the fast-moving current gouging a large hole in the platform. A fire in 1981 did significant damage to the roof, and from the mid 1980s until the restoration stood as an empty shell with no apparent use.
Roosevelt Visits Manhattan
A visit from the president was unquestionably the highlight of 1903 for Manhattan residents. Theodore Roosevelt had been in office roughly 20 months when his whistle-stop tour arrived here before the 1904 election.
Mahattan Celebrates the Dedication
President Roosevelt's visit is re-enacted by City Commissioner Jim Sherow, to the right is 1903 Mayor Caulderhead portrayed by City Commissioner Bruce Snead.
Tower Illustration: The Depot's Crown Restored
The signature piece of the restored depot is the tower. Phase Three of restoration included a total reconstruction of the tower that had been removed in a 1938 remodel.
Credits:
Riley County Historical Society
Michael Mecseri
Bruce McMillan AIA Architects, P.A.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Manhattan, KS  |  Riley County  |  66502  |  Kansas  |  United States of America

Change & Growth
Yuma Street
Colorado Street
The American Veteran
Riley County Courthouse
Carnegie Library
Amanda Arnold Arch
Damon Runyon
Osage Street
Ft. Leavenworth - Ft. Riley Military Road

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.