| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
Regionally noteworthy architects Frost and Granger designed this railroad station in typically utilitarian form but characteristically enhanced it with individual elements of design such as an irregular roofline, brackets under overhanging eaves, and first floor bay window on east side.
The depot represents early 20th century transportation and the linking of Wausau to other parts of the state and country. In addition, because of the adoption of the depot in 1954 as the trademark of Wausau Insurance Companies, the depot has become the internationally known symbol of Wausau.
2018 survey report write-up: Located adjacent to and west of the railroad tracks, this property includes a passenger depot building (AHI#51104), as well as a freight/luggage building/express office (#236477). Regarding the former, the single-story brick depot is largely vernacular in styling; however, carved wooden brackets accent the overhanging eaves of the entire building. Comprised of three sections, the gabled central section is set off by parapet end walls and includes a gabled roof dormer along its west elevation, identifying the building entrance. A series of continuous windows line the first floor of the building’s west elevation, while a bay window is located along the east facade. Both the north and south wings are slightly lower than the central section and are topped with a hipped roof. Located immediately to the south, the brick-clad freight/luggage building reflects the design of the depot and the hipped roof’s overhanging eaves are also accented with wooden bracket trim.
Designed by the Chicago firm of Frost & Granger, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Depot was completed in 1902. Railroad service reached Wausau in 1874, with the completion of the Wisconsin Valley line. Although a depot was built that same year, it was replaced with a brick structure in 1880. Following purchase of the rail line by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, the new depot was completed in 1902. The luggage/express office was built at some point between 1923 and 1931. In 1954, the depot was chosen by Wausau Insurance as their logo/trademark and was used as such for years thereafter. The depot remained in use until passenger service was discontinued in 1970. In 1978, the depot building was threatened with demolition; there was also consideration given to its relocation. Following a proposal for its use as the office for the Samoset Council of Boy Scouts, the building was restored in 1980 and utilized as such for years thereafter. It was later used by the Head Start program; however, as of 2015, it stood vacant. Both buildings are currently undergoing renovations for use as a distillery and winery, with the depot housing a bar and tasting room and the luggage/express building serving as the distillery itself. Work is anticipated to be completed by Fall 2018. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Nomination form, NRHP, 1980 (not submitted).
ANDREW WARREN HISTORIC DISTRICT, FRIENDS OF WAUSAU HISTORIC LANDMARKS, 1995(?).
WAUSAU DAILY HERALD 6/26/1996.
Wausau Daily Herald 2/10/1997.
City in the Pinery, A Guide to Wausau's Historic Architecture, The City of Wausau, 1983.
City in the Pinery, A Guide to Wausau's Historic Architecture, The City of Wausau, 1984.
Citations for the 2018 survey report information below: No interior inspection of the building was completed at the time of survey; however, a description and photos of the building’s interior were included with an April 2017 submission of a National Register Questionnaire (NRQ) to the Wisconsin Historical Society, prepared by Kimm Van Den Heuvel, Schofield, WI;“Opened at Last,” Central Wisconsin, 28 June 1902, typescript of article included in the aforementioned NRQ; As late as 1923, the freight/express office is not depicted on Sanborn Fire Insurance maps. It is, however, on the 1923 map, republished in 1954, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map—Wausau, Wis. (New York: Sanborn Map Company, 1904, 1912, 1923, 1923, republished in 1954); Malaguti and Norton, “Final Report: Intensive Historic Survey,” 214-215; “Depots—A Town’s Front Door,” Wausau Daily Herald, 10 February 1997, 1A, 3A/1-5; B.C. Kowalski, “Updated: Wausau’s Famous Train Depot Could Become a Distillery,” Available online at www.thecitypages.com, Accessed July 2018. |
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