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Description
A close up shot of the Kirkwood Depot.

"In 1852, land where the current station is located (Argonne Avenue and Kirkwood Road) was obtained from Owen Collins by the Pacific Railroad for a right of way. The track for the Pacific Railroad to Kirkwood was completed in 1853. The first train arrived May 11, 1853, for an auction sale of lots, making Kirkwood the first planned suburb west of the Mississippi. The town was named for the chief engineer for the railroad, James Pugh Kirkwood.

In 1863, a frame depot was built. Here members of the first school board met to draft the charter of the Kirkwood School District, which was granted in 1865. In 1893, Douglas Donovan was hired to construct the current stone station to replace the wooden station. The current station remains today as an outstanding example of Richardsonian architecture.

Commuter trains ran to and from Kirkwood until 1961. A train turn-table was located near the present Farmer’s Market for the engines to be turned for the return trip to St. Louis and for the helper engines, which were used to help freight trains manage the “Kirkwood Hill,” prior to the arrival of diesel engines." ~ City of Kirkwood website.

The depot continues to serve as an active train depot services four Amtrak trains a day. Amtrak no longer mans the station with an agent, however each train is met by volunteers from the community.

Is the station/depot currently used for railroad purposes?: Yes

Is the station/depot open to the public?: Yes

If the station/depot is not being used for railroad purposes, what is it currently used for?:
Depot continues to serve as an Amtrak station with four trains per day.

What rail lines does/did the station/depot serve?: Missouri Pacific Railway

1/7/2010

Description
A close up shot of the Kirkwood Depot.

"In 1852, land where the current station is located (Argonne Avenue and Kirkwood Road) was obtained from Owen Collins by the Pacific Railroad for a right of way. The track for the Pacific Railroad to Kirkwood was completed in 1853. The first train arrived May 11, 1853, for an auction sale of lots, making Kirkwood the first planned suburb west of the Mississippi. The town was named for the chief engineer for the railroad, James Pugh Kirkwood.

In 1863, a frame depot was built. Here members of the first school board met to draft the charter of the Kirkwood School District, which was granted in 1865. In 1893, Douglas Donovan was hired to construct the current stone station to replace the wooden station. The current station remains today as an outstanding example of Richardsonian architecture.

Commuter trains ran to and from Kirkwood until 1961. A train turn-table was located near the present Farmer’s Market for the engines to be turned for the return trip to St. Louis and for the helper engines, which were used to help freight trains manage the “Kirkwood Hill,” prior to the arrival of diesel engines." ~ City of Kirkwood website.

The depot continues to serve as an active train depot services four Amtrak trains a day. Amtrak no longer mans the station with an agent, however each train is met by volunteers from the community.

Is the station/depot currently used for railroad purposes?: Yes

Is the station/depot open to the public?: Yes

If the station/depot is not being used for railroad purposes, what is it currently used for?:
Depot continues to serve as an Amtrak station with four trains per day.

What rail lines does/did the station/depot serve?: Missouri Pacific Railway

1/7/2010