Cheyenne Depot Museum

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Coordinates: 41°7′54″N 104°48′51″W / 41.13167°N 104.81417°W / 41.13167; -104.81417
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Cheyenne, WY
The San Francisco Zephyr at Cheyenne in April 1976.
General information
Location121 West 15th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
LineUnion Pacific Railroad
History
ClosedOctober 28, 1979[1][2]
Former services
Preceding station AmtrakFollowing station
Laramie
toward Oakland-16th Street
San Francisco Zephyr
1972–1979
Greeley
toward Chicago
City of San Francisco
1971–1972
Preceding stationUnion Pacific RailroadFollowing station
Borie
toward Ogden
Overland RouteHillside
toward Council Bluffs Transfer
through to Ogden via Overland RouteCheyenne – DenverSpeer
toward Denver
Union Pacific Railroad Depot
Union Pacific Roundhouse, Turntable and Machine Shop
Union Pacific Passenger Station
Location121 W. 15th St., Cheyenne, Wyoming
Coordinates41°7′54″N 104°48′51″W / 41.13167°N 104.81417°W / 41.13167; -104.81417
Built1887 (1887)
ArchitectVan Brunt & Howe
Architectural styleRomanesque Revival, Richardsonian Romanesque
NRHP reference No.73001934 (depot);
92000930[3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJanuary 29, 1973 (depot);
July 24, 1992
Designated NHLFebruary 15, 2006 (depot)[4]
Location
Map

The Cheyenne Depot Museum is a railroad museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States. It is located inside the 1880s Union Pacific Railroad depot. A National Historic Landmark, the station was the railroad's largest west of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a major western example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture.

The museum, founded in 1993, interprets Cheyenne's early history and that of the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. It houses multiple exhibits and occasionally offers tours of other railroad facilities.

History

[edit]

The Depot was built directly down the street from and facing the Wyoming State Capitol building, signaling its significance to the city and state.

The building was lengthened and renovated in 1922 and redecorated in 1929. Further renovations were made from 2001 to 2006, including a $6.5 million improvement by the city of Cheyenne and a plaza built in front of the Depot. This plaza hosts a variety of music and events throughout the year.

Amtrak's San Francisco Zephyr ceased serving this station directly in 1979 in favor of a new station in Borie, nine miles to the west. This eliminated a time-consuming backup move in and out of the Cheyenne station.[5] Passengers were bused between Borie and Cheyenne. Passenger rail service ended altogether in Wyoming when Amtrak canceled its Pioneer in 1997.

As of 2022, a new train service is proposed to connect Cheyenne and Pueblo, Colorado.

The Old West Museum and Cheyenne Frontier Days made an agreement that established the Cheyenne Depot Museum, Inc., as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The organization leased the depot from the city of Cheyenne for 25 years.

Architecture

[edit]

Exterior

[edit]

The original design of the depot was a Richardsonian Romanesque style, designed by Van Brunt & Howe.[6] There are many notable architectural elements used in the depot's design including rounded arches, a tall clock tower, dual-colored sandstone, and pitched roofs. Large rounded arches make up the north and south facades of the depot, as well as a clock tower standing six stories tall on the north side of the building.[6] The clock tower features 4 conical spires on each corner with a pyramidal roof capped by a cast-iron weather vane. Towards the top of the tower facing North, South, East, and West, are 4 clock faces spanning 6 feet 4 inches in diameter.[7] The clock however, was not installed until 1890, 3 years after the building was completed.[7] The Union Pacific quarry in Bellevue, CO produced a red-orange and a softer sand-colored stone to be used on the depot.[6] The red-orange stone was used to outline arches, windows, roof lines, floor lines, and doors. In some cases, the red-orange stones were used to create false windows. The dark, slate, pitched roof features 4 congruent dormer windows facing the depot square.

Interior

[edit]

When the dining room and kitchen were added, interior finishes included wood paneling, coffered ceilings, and tile floors.[6] Gilbert Stanley Underwood redecorated the Depot Interior in 1929. Some of these new decorations included new paint and plaster.[5]

Construction

[edit]

John F. Coots was hired by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1886 to complete the depot. In the middle of July 1886, the Cheyenne community celebrated the placement of the cornerstone. The stone blocks were transported from the Union Pacific quarry to the Cheyenne depot by train. As the project continued, the administration hired more laborers to accommodate a May 1887 completion. The Cheyenne depot underwent a renovation in 1922, adding a 114 ft addition to the east side of the building. This addition was a near mirror of the west part of the depot and was built by H.W. Baum.[6] The quarry used in 1886 for the original building was reopened and used to acquire matching stone for the new addition. The addition accompanied a dining room as well as a kitchen. In 1929, the depot underwent another major renewal, steel replaced structural wood members, and the interior was reimagined in the Art Deco style.[8]

[edit]
  • 2011 photo of the depot
    2011 photo of the depot
  • The nearby roundhouse where the Union Pacific Railroad stores its historic steam locomotives and E9 diesel locomotives.
    The nearby roundhouse where the Union Pacific Railroad stores its historic steam locomotives and E9 diesel locomotives.
  • UP's nearby machine shop, where it services its steam locomotives.
    UP's nearby machine shop, where it services its steam locomotives.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Amtrak Timetable - Effective October 1, 1979". timetables.org. Amtrak. October 1, 1979. p. 44. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  2. ^ "Amtrak Timetable - Effective October 28, 1979". timetables.org. Amtrak. October 28, 1979. p. 44. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  3. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  4. ^ "Union Pacific Railroad". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2008.
  5. ^ a b "Other Board Actions Tied to Route Restructuring". Amtrak News. 6 (10): 5. September 1979.
  6. ^ a b c d e pls4e (August 1, 2018). "Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot". SAH ARCHIPEDIA. Retrieved December 12, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b "Depot Construction | Cheyenne, WY | Cheyenne Depot Museum". depot. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  8. ^ "Renovations | Cheyenne, WY | Cheyenne Depot Museum". depot. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Union Pacific Depot (Cheyenne, Wyoming).
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cheyenne_Depot_Museum&oldid=1327239040"

    Cheyenne, WY
    The San Francisco Zephyr at Cheyenne in April 1976.
    General information
    Location121 West 15th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
    LineUnion Pacific Railroad
    History
    ClosedOctober 28, 1979[1][2]
    Former services
    Preceding station AmtrakFollowing station
    Laramie
    toward Oakland-16th Street
    		San Francisco Zephyr
    1972–1979
    		Greeley
    toward Chicago
    City of San Francisco
    1971–1972
    Preceding stationUnion Pacific RailroadFollowing station
    Borie
    toward Ogden
    		Overland RouteHillside
    toward Council Bluffs Transfer
    through to Ogden via Overland RouteCheyenne – DenverSpeer
    toward Denver
    Union Pacific Railroad Depot
    Union Pacific Roundhouse, Turntable and Machine Shop
    Union Pacific Passenger Station
    Location121 W. 15th St., Cheyenne, Wyoming
    Coordinates41°7′54″N 104°48′51″W / 41.13167°N 104.81417°W / 41.13167; -104.81417
    Built1887 (1887)
    ArchitectVan Brunt & Howe
    Architectural styleRomanesque Revival, Richardsonian Romanesque
    NRHP reference No.73001934 (depot);
    92000930[3]
    Significant dates
    Added to NRHPJanuary 29, 1973 (depot);
    July 24, 1992
    Designated NHLFebruary 15, 2006 (depot)[4]
    Location

    The Cheyenne Depot Museum is a railroad museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States. It is located inside the 1880s Union Pacific Railroad depot. A National Historic Landmark, the station was the railroad's largest west of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a major western example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture.

    The museum, founded in 1993, interprets Cheyenne's early history and that of the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. It houses multiple exhibits and occasionally offers tours of other railroad facilities.

    History

    The Depot was built directly down the street from and facing the Wyoming State Capitol building, signaling its significance to the city and state.

    The building was lengthened and renovated in 1922 and redecorated in 1929. Further renovations were made from 2001 to 2006, including a $6.5 million improvement by the city of Cheyenne and a plaza built in front of the Depot. This plaza hosts a variety of music and events throughout the year.

    Amtrak's San Francisco Zephyr ceased serving this station directly in 1979 in favor of a new station in Borie, nine miles to the west. This eliminated a time-consuming backup move in and out of the Cheyenne station.[5] Passengers were bused between Borie and Cheyenne. Passenger rail service ended altogether in Wyoming when Amtrak canceled its Pioneer in 1997.

    As of 2022, a new train service is proposed to connect Cheyenne and Pueblo, Colorado.

    The Old West Museum and Cheyenne Frontier Days made an agreement that established the Cheyenne Depot Museum, Inc., as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The organization leased the depot from the city of Cheyenne for 25 years.

    Architecture

    Exterior

    The original design of the depot was a Richardsonian Romanesque style, designed by Van Brunt & Howe.[6] There are many notable architectural elements used in the depot's design including rounded arches, a tall clock tower, dual-colored sandstone, and pitched roofs. Large rounded arches make up the north and south facades of the depot, as well as a clock tower standing six stories tall on the north side of the building.[6] The clock tower features 4 conical spires on each corner with a pyramidal roof capped by a cast-iron weather vane. Towards the top of the tower facing North, South, East, and West, are 4 clock faces spanning 6 feet 4 inches in diameter.[7] The clock however, was not installed until 1890, 3 years after the building was completed.[7] The Union Pacific quarry in Bellevue, CO produced a red-orange and a softer sand-colored stone to be used on the depot.[6] The red-orange stone was used to outline arches, windows, roof lines, floor lines, and doors. In some cases, the red-orange stones were used to create false windows. The dark, slate, pitched roof features 4 congruent dormer windows facing the depot square.

    Interior

    When the dining room and kitchen were added, interior finishes included wood paneling, coffered ceilings, and tile floors.[6] Gilbert Stanley Underwood redecorated the Depot Interior in 1929. Some of these new decorations included new paint and plaster.[5]

    Construction

    John F. Coots was hired by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1886 to complete the depot. In the middle of July 1886, the Cheyenne community celebrated the placement of the cornerstone. The stone blocks were transported from the Union Pacific quarry to the Cheyenne depot by train. As the project continued, the administration hired more laborers to accommodate a May 1887 completion. The Cheyenne depot underwent a renovation in 1922, adding a 114 ft addition to the east side of the building. This addition was a near mirror of the west part of the depot and was built by H.W. Baum.[6] The quarry used in 1886 for the original building was reopened and used to acquire matching stone for the new addition. The addition accompanied a dining room as well as a kitchen. In 1929, the depot underwent another major renewal, steel replaced structural wood members, and the interior was reimagined in the Art Deco style.[8]

    • 2011 photo of the depot
      2011 photo of the depot
    • The nearby roundhouse where the Union Pacific Railroad stores its historic steam locomotives and E9 diesel locomotives.
      The nearby roundhouse where the Union Pacific Railroad stores its historic steam locomotives and E9 diesel locomotives.
    • UP's nearby machine shop, where it services its steam locomotives.
      UP's nearby machine shop, where it services its steam locomotives.

    See also

    References

    1. ^ "Amtrak Timetable - Effective October 1, 1979". timetables.org. Amtrak. October 1, 1979. p. 44. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
    2. ^ "Amtrak Timetable - Effective October 28, 1979". timetables.org. Amtrak. October 28, 1979. p. 44. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
    3. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
    4. ^ "Union Pacific Railroad". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2008.
    5. ^ a b "Other Board Actions Tied to Route Restructuring". Amtrak News. 6 (10): 5. September 1979.
    6. ^ a b c d e pls4e (August 1, 2018). "Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot". SAH ARCHIPEDIA. Retrieved December 12, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    7. ^ a b "Depot Construction | Cheyenne, WY | Cheyenne Depot Museum". depot. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
    8. ^ "Renovations | Cheyenne, WY | Cheyenne Depot Museum". depot. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Union Pacific Depot (Cheyenne, Wyoming).
    • Cheyenne Depot Museum Website
    • The Rotary Steam Plow # 900082 in Cheyenne
    • Union Pacific Depot National Historic Landmark Archived June 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office
    • Union Pacific Roundhouse Turntable and Machine Shop Archived June 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office
    • Union Pacific Passenger Station, 121 West Fifteenth Street, Cheyenne, Laramie, WY at the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cheyenne_Depot_Museum&oldid=1327239040"