Voting for the 2022 Best Places in Local Government (aka the #ELGLKnope) Round of 32 opens on March 7, 2022 and closes at midnight PT on Friday, March 11, 2022. One vote per person. Learn more about this award online.
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Springfield Oregon Depot
Springfield, Oregon 97477
- Online
- Year(s)/Era: 1890’s
- Type of Place: Building
- Nomination: Because of the rich history surrounding the City of Springfield and movement of commerce and people, this building represents our past, future and present in how our community honors the past but always looks for new and exciting ways to shine.
- Most notable attribute(s): This train station (or Depot), was built by the Southern Pacific in the 1890’s. It is of a standard SP depot designed, designated SP Standard # 22, it is a two level depot, with a freight building attached. Passenger train service ended in 1965 to Springfield. In 1988 the SP offered the station to the City of Springfield, if they would move it. It was moved, and later restored. It now houses the Chamber of Commerce and the visitor’s center.
- Special designations or recognitions: The structure is presently listed as a city landmark and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Three words to describe: Welcoming, Recycled, Significant
- Anything else to share? The Springfield Depot is built in the Stick Style commonly used in construction of railroad stations throughout the United States. This aspect is important when weighted against the similar railroad stations in Oregon. They too were built in the Stick Style of architecture. The Springfield Depot also has elements of Queen Anne Style with its wood frame and exterior features of horizontal V grooved shiplap siding, lath work and imbricated shingling. The Springfield Depot is the last remaining stick chalet with Queen Anne tendencies in train stations remaining in Oregon. In addition, it is the only remaining two story depot in Oregon which had living quarters for the Station Master. It also is the only commercial structure of this style in Springfield. The Springfield Railroad Depot is significant to the commerce industry and transportation development for the City of Springfield. The Depot is extremely important to the development of the City of Springfield. It arrived during the time of the railroad boom in the west. The coming of the railroad brought about growth to the City after years of stagnation. The structure is presently listed as a city landmark and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
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