The rhythmic galloping of the iron horse, a sonic signature of American progress against a wild frontier, once galloped through the heart of Centralia. Its arrival heralded an era of transformation, connecting towns and dreams across the vast expanse of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. More than mere steel and steam, the railroad was the resilient workhorse of a burgeoning nation in the Gilded Age, carrying the weight of progress while shouldering the burden of expansion.
As this iron horse raced through the landscape, the Centralia Train Depot stood as a crucial stop along its unyielding journey. With every arrival and each departure, the iron horse’s presence reverberated through the depot, carrying with it the hopes and dreams of weary travelers and the promise of new beginnings in an untamed frontier.
All Aboard! The Railroad Makes its Way to Centralia
The railroad has played a vital part in the Centralia community since the Northern Pacific Railway first started laying tracks heading towards the city in 1872. In March of 1873, Centralia’s founder, George Washington, and his wife Mary plotted out a four-block area near his farm for his emerging town. In exchange for liberal rights granted to the railroad, the Northern Pacific headed toward the city. In 1874, they completed their line from Kalama to Tacoma, and the tracks were laid through Washington’s property.
With the deal, Washington secured his new city, Centerville, its first train depot, built by Northern Pacific on the corner of Main and Railroad Avenues in 1880. This small, wood-framed building would eventually be followed by a larger wood building in 1905, affectionately nicknamed by locals as “Noah’s Ark” due to its architectural design.
This new structure was built to accommodate the town’s sudden population boom as it bounced back from the Panic of 1893, largely thanks to the region’s coal, lumber, and dairying industries. Still, despite the upgrade, the new depot would be no match for the 400% population boom the area would see between 1900 to 1914, and it seems a necessary third attempt at a depot would be the charm for the city.
The Northern Pacific Railway Constructed the Centralia Union Depot in 1912
The new, brick Centralia Union Depot would be completed by the Northern Pacific in 1912 and dedicated to Centralia the same year at the “Hub City Festival,” along with the Carnegie Library, now Timberland Library, and the since-demolished Dumon Building. The new depot would stand out as an excellent example of the architectural style of depots commonly found in medium-sized towns in pre-WWII America. The fine brick ornamentation, interior woodwork, tiling, and oak benches remain. Stenciled warnings along the exterior base of the building stating “Don’t Spit” can still be seen today.
Not even two years after opening, the Centralia Union Depot was already a bustling hub of activity in a rapidly expanding Pacific Northwest. At its peak, 44 passenger and 17 freight trains passed through the depot daily. Facing 14 hotels along Tower Avenue, along with five theaters and eight banks in the core of downtown, the depot’s prime location further enhanced its popularity among travelers, providing ample opportunity to rest, regroup, and relax for those riding the rails.
The Centralia Depot Undergoes Extensive Renovations
For the ensuing decades the Centralia Union Depot continued to serve as a safe haven for travelers, offering a welcoming and safe haven as they embarked on their journeys. However, events in the early 1970s would threaten to derail the depot. The Northern Pacific would merge with Burlington Northern Railroad in 1970, and Amtrak would begin operating passenger rail service on the Seattle-Portland route on May 1, 1971. Initially, Amtrak trains did not stop in Centralia but were added during the service change on July 12, 1971.
The demise of the Northern Pacific Railroad, coupled with the increased use of the automobile and the rise of traffic on Interstate 5, would lead to the first signs of deterioration for the depot as much of the city’s downtown core experienced economic decline. Recognizing the urgent need for action, local civic leaders in the mid-1980s launched a two-decade initiative to revitalize the downtown area, including acquiring and restoring the Centralia Union Depot.
The first step was securing the depot’s spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The next opportunity to save the depot would come with the merger of Burlington Northern with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1996 to form the BNSF Railway. The merger spurred the city and the state Department of Transportation to negotiate with BNSF to acquire the depot. The city of Centralia began the depot’s historic transformation and restoration following the purchase.
This would be done in two phases, starting with exterior work in 1996. During this time, construction focused on stabilizing structure deterioration, restoring room dormers and a new tile roof, re-pointing the brick exterior, and adding new utilities and parking lots at each end of the building.
Phase two of the building’s restoration would begin in 2000 and consist of interior work. During this time, the focus was on new floors, restoring millwork and brass fittings, and updating the Amtrak ticket office, baggage room freight room, express building, HVAC, and elevator.
Preserving the original character of the building, the restoration project aimed to maintain the depot’s distinctive architectural style, which complements the other historic structures in Historic Downtown Centralia. The curved ceilings, adorned with a hanging chandelier and incandescent bulbs, add to the depot’s charm, making it one of the most visually appealing buildings in downtown Centralia since the restoration project’s completion in April of 2002. The project would cost $4.4 million, with funding from the City of Centralia, Washington State DOT, and various other organizations. The updated depot was dedicated and reopened to the public during that year’s “Railroad Days” festival.
The Centralia Depot Gallops Towards the Future as it Carries the Masses
Following its restoration, the Centralia Union Depot reopened for daily service, much to the delight of residents, officials, and the Washington Association of Rail Passengers. Now one of the best-looking structures downtown, the stunning building offers a perfect blend of the past and present. As passengers step upon the platform, they can’t help but feel as if they’ve stepped back in time to 1912 as they explore the depot’s charming historical aura. The depot’s revitalization has breathed new life into the downtown area, attracting visitors with its lovely antique shops and captivating murals depicting Lewis County’s rich history.
Today, the depot serves as a convenient hub for Amtrak passengers and local transit users, intertwining the city’s past and present in the ride of a lifetime upon an old iron horse. With every train arrival and departure, the Centralia Depot carries forward the city’s legacy. Its story is a reminder of the importance of preserving our history and the vital role the railroads have played in shaping our world, both past and present. So grab your boarding passes and hop aboard to embark on this enchanting ride through time with the Centralia Train Depot!