LAND TO LEGACY HISTORIC MUSEUM WELCOME TO THE LAND TO LEGACY HISTORIC MUSEUM Welcome to the Land to Legacy Historic Museum at Union Depot, a captivating journey through time. As you traverse this path, you’ll witness the remarkable evolution of St. Paul’s Union Depot, from its origins amidst the railroad boom to its resurgence as a vibrant community hub. Immerse yourself in this testament to resilience, innovation and the enduring spirit of community. LOOKOUT POINT, NORTH-FACING: View of Great Northern headquarters across the street — a competitor bought the building next door, so James J. Hill built a penthouse to be one story higher. Land Acknowledgment We acknowledge that the land upon which Union Depot was built is Indigenous land. We seek to honor the Dakota, Ojibway, Sioux and other native people, on whose ancestral homelands and resources Union Depot stands. We acknowledge and condemn the forceful removal of tribes from this land. Today, we recognize the land, the communities throughout Minnesota, and the passengers from around the world who come through the doors of Union Depot by providing a public place where all may take part in community gatherings, host events and utilize the transportation systems. MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY SURROUNDING ST. PAUL Thousands of years of history along the second longest river in North America Native Inhabitation and Cultural Significance Surviving burial mounds along the ridge of the Mississippi River just north of Union Depot suggest the area has been inhabited for more than 2,000 years. The Dakota called the river area I-mni-za ska dan (“little white rock”) for the white sandstone cliffs that the current city of St. Paul is built on. The river valley was an important part of Indigenous culture for fishing, trading, and daily life. Colonial Struggles and Territorial Establishment As white explorers moved further into the center of the continent, areas became greatly contested by Great Britain, France, and Spain. Land East of the Mississippi River officially became part of the Northwest Territory in 1787 as part of the United States. Land West of the river joined in 1803 after the Louisiana Purchase. Pike’s Purchase and Establishment of Fort Snelling During this time a deal now known as “Pike’s Purchase” negotiated 100,000 acres from the Dakota to establish Fort Snelling on the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. Fur traders found plenty of hunting in the rich waters of Minnesota and soon trading posts, taverns and permanent homes grew along the river. The Minnesota Territory was given formal status in 1849 and St. Paul was named the capital. A Hub for Pioneers and Steamboats The lowest point in the valley around St. Paul was used as a crossing for pioneers and later as the northernmost steamboat landing. Soon a waterway city boomed, and more transportation was necessary. MINNESOTA CHUGS INTO THE RAILROADING FUTURE The railroad boom and expansion West brought with it competition and wealth James J. Hill: The Early Years James Jerome Hill (James J. Hill) moved to St. Paul at the age of 18 from Canada. His first job was with a steamboat company. Hill then became a wholesale grocer and dealt with steamboat and railroad freight. Hill loaded the William Crooks on its first week of service between St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1862. Hill started his own steamboat business and quickly formed a monopoly by taking control of coal transfers. He expanded into banking, land purchases and flipping bankrupt businesses for profit. Minnesota’s Role in Westward Expansion Completed on May 10, 1869, the Union Pacific section – significantly built by Minnesota’s Irish workforce – swiftly ended the era of the Oregon Trail and accelerated the nation’s westward expansion. Yet, this monumental achievement also ushered in a period of extensive displacement for Indigenous communities and societal struggles for newly freed slaves, signifying the intertwined narrative of progress and hardship. Turning Around the StP&P Railroad During the economic crash of 1873, many railroads declared bankruptcy. Hill teamed up with other business leaders to purchase the StP&P Railroad. The failing railroad thrived under Hill’s management and was renamed the Great Northern Railway later, becoming a transcontinental railroad. The “Empire Builder” Hill acquired additional railroads spanning all over the Midwest and Western United States. Nicknamed the “Empire Builder” for creating a line through the less developed Pacific Northwest, Hill encouraged tourism along his routes by building hotels, supporting towns and promoting legislation that established Glacier National Park in 1910. The same route West is still utilized today by Amtrak for passenger rail. You can board the Empire Builder and ride from Chicago to Seattle with a stop at the place that started it all, Union Depot. A Grand Station Was Born The first Union Depot designed by local architect Leroy Bu ngton opened in 1881. It combined and replaced four different stations. The station was struck by fire in 1884. The second Union Depot was rebuilt utilizing the same plans as the original building. Additional improvements were made to the original design including adding a tower and space for offices and retail. HISTORIC STAIRS Preserved beneath your feet are rare ‘puzzle piece’ tiles, a unique artistic flourish from the original design of Union Depot. These tiles were saved during the removal of the railroad tracks in the 70s and kept safe for years until they could return to their rightful place in the building’s restoration. A COUNTRY CONNECTED THROUGH RAIL AND MAIL A sophisticated system reliant upon mail clerks hand sorting every letter across the country The Growing Demand for Mail Routes As the United States grew to 3.5 million square miles in the 1870s, the demand for accessible mail routes challenged railroads to accommodate the need. By the 1920s, 91% of communications between cities were done by letter and moved by railway. Telegrams and long distance calls were expensive and impractical. Sorting Letters on the Move: The U.S. Railway Mail Service Mail clerks would sort letters to their destinations, then bag and throw mail on the train at the correct stop or for a future train headed that direction to pickup, all while on a moving rail car. Private companies began to ship oversized items and worked alongside the U.S. Post Office, creating two distinct shipping markets. St. Paul Union Depot was the third busiest mail station in the country and home to the Tenth Division of the U.S. Railway Mail Service. The second floor above the concourse was used to sort mail and transfer to trains until 1934 when sorting moved to a post office nearby. St. Paul Union Depot: A Hub for Mail A gateway across the United States, Union Depot moved more mail than people. Constant mail sorting never ceased and nearly every train arriving at Union Depot had a mail car attached. The Decline of Mail by Rail It is estimated that fifty thousand bags of mail moved through Union Depot per day until the 1960s. As mail by airplane and truck started to compete, and the introduction of the zip code in 1963, mail by train began to decline. Amidst these factors, by 1971 Amtrak had taken over failing passenger rail networks making mail by rail nearly obsolete. FROM THE ASHES A NEW DEPOT AND ERA WERE BORN Travel by rail grew in popularity as a way for Americans to experience the United States The 1913 Fire and Rebuilding of Union Depot A kitchen fire engulfed Union Depot in October of 1913. The train shed was undamaged and continued to service two hundred daily passenger trains. Plans were drawn up for a grand new station. Construction began in 1917 but was slowed by the demands of WWI. Thousands of soldiers departed Union Depot for the front from the temporary train platform near where the Waiting Room is currently. The Role of Rail in Warfare Railroads were responsible for the success in WWI by moving massive numbers of troops, tanks, supplies, horses, munitions and equipment between Britain and The Front. In the first month of WWI, Britain had transported over 120,000 servicemen to Southampton where they boarded boats to France. Trains reached the docks every 12 minutes for three weeks. As WWII dawned, America responded. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the railroads moved to the forefront, transporting supplies, food, troops and materials to both coasts. Use of the railroads increased astronomically. Locomotives grew in size and power to respond to the hauling need and distance traveled. Completion of the New Union Depot Construction was completed in 1926 including 10 new platforms, 21 passenger tracks, a marble floored waiting area and plenty of amenities. As the major transit hub in Minnesota, Union Depot saw many visiting presidents, dignitaries and famous royals including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in 1941. As WWII took over the United States, Union Depot was used for troop and equipment deployments. The skylights in the Waiting Room were blackened with tar to protect troops from possible air attacks. Shift to Diesel and the Luxury Train Travel Era Ten years after the war, steam locomotives had been replaced by diesel, a far cheaper option to operate. Luxury train travel boomed with dome top cars, sitting rooms, personal chefs and posh décor. Travelers could easily visit distant parts of the country with comfort and ease. In the height of rail travel, Union Depot saw 20,000 passengers a day. Over the years Union Depot continued to be a hub for travel and a gathering space with numerous amenities, dining options and beautiful architecture. THE RISE IN AIR TRAVEL SAW THE FALL OF PASSENGER RAIL The last passenger train pulled out of Union Depot on Friday, April 30, 1971 Establishment of the Interstate Highway System In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation to construct an Interstate Highway System. The development of this interstate system also played a part in the end of travel by rail. As construction was funded and roads expanded in the 1960s, the great American road-trip was born. Scenic routes were built and encouraged by advertising, television shows and celebrities. Decline of Train Travel and Final Passenger Train Departure Travel by train dropped in popularity and by the end of the 1960s railroads were losing millions. The Burlington’s Afternoon Zephyr departed Union Depot for the last time and marked the end of passenger rail at Minnesota’s largest train station. The next day the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) was launched with operations in Minneapolis. The Waiting Room and Concourse were closed to the public along with access to the tracks. Rise of Commercial Airlines With the rise in commercial airlines and budget-friendly options, travel by air quickly became the standard in the 1970s. People could travel in comfort and reach their destination in a matter of hours instead of days. Historical Recognition and Property Transitions Union Depot was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1974. In 1977, the property was sold to the Postal Service. All tracks, boarding platforms and the roundhouse were razed. The property was sold to Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority 31 years later. AFTER FORTY YEARS, UNION DEPOT HAS A NEW PURPOSE Plans were drawn to renovate and bring Union Depot back to its former glory Renovation Dreams Take Shape In the possession of the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA), the ambitious restoration of Union Depot began. Meeting with architects, historical societies and contractors, the goal was to preserve the property’s architecture and integrity while meeting the needs of a modern multimodal transit hub. A Grand Reopening On December 8, 2012, after comprehensive restoration and renovation efforts, Union Depot reopened its doors to the public. Celebrating the return of a genuine passenger rail station to St. Paul, this marked a triumphant chapter in the history of Union Depot. LOOKOUT POINT: South-Facing From this view you can see the original platform doors that were preserved after the tracks were removed. Note the original windows and weight system to open them from 1926! UNION DEPOT IS A PLACE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY A multimodal transportation hub with popular activities, exciting events and fun for all Revitalizing Transit Ten years after its grand reopening, Union Depot has become a buzzing hub of transit. The revival of passenger rail with Amtrak’s arrival in 2013 and the Metro Transit Green Line’s inauguration in 2014 set a new pace for the city. Soon, Jefferson Lines and Mega Bus joined, operating several bus routes across the nation. A Vibrant Event Venue Union Depot transcends its role as a transit center, hosting a diverse range of community events and private celebrations. From weddings and galas to drive-in movies and yoga classes, Union Depot has become a beloved locale for festivities in the heart of the Twin Cities. Community Cornerstone Today, Union Depot stands as a welcoming destination for all, serving as a significant transportation center and dynamic event venue. As a restored historical gem, it offers a step back in time, inviting all to appreciate the grandeur of a world-class train station from a bygone era. Acknowledgements Special thanks to Minnesota Historical Society and Ramsey County Historical Society. Exhibit developed by Maurina Rondeau, Marketing and Events Manager, Union Depot. 2024.
