Hidden Stories: Wilton's Soo Line Depot Tells the Story of a Town and Its Tracks
Tucked just north of Bismarck in Wilton is home to a unique and storied landmark, The Wilton Soo Line Depot. It’s a structure that has stood the test of time and today serves as a living tribute to the community’s proud railroad roots.
Built in 1900, just one year after the city of Wilton was established, the depot wasn’t your typical railroad stop. While other towns received standard-issue designs from the Soo Railroad, Wilton’s founder, William Washburn, and his wife had something more artistic in mind. Frequent travelers to Asia, the Washburns requested the depot reflect their love of Oriental art. As a result, a Japanese-style pagoda was added to the top of the building, making the Wilton depot truly one of a kind.
Minneapolis architect William J. Keith delivered a striking design, and the pagoda still remains perched above the historic building today.
For decades, the depot saw its share of freight coming in and out of Wilton. It also hosted thousands of travelers. But with the rise of automobiles and the construction of interstates and highways, train travel began to decline. The Soo Line closed the Wilton depot in the winter of 1970.
In 1976, as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebrations, Wilton residents rallied to save their beloved depot. The Soo Line donated the building with one condition: it had to be moved. The Wilton City Commission provided land, and on May 25, 1976, the depot found its new home in the city, where it stands today as the Wilton Railroad Museum.
“Wilton was a railway and mining town, but many kids don’t know what their great-grandparents did,” says Pattie Solberg, Wilton City Auditor. “It’s important to understand that history as they grow into the future.” Today, she gives tours of the depot.
Inside, visitors can explore a remarkable collection of artifacts, including early 1900s telegraph machines and rail tools. In the rear of the museum, the Slope Area Model Railroad Club, a group of mostly retired hobbyists, has built an impressive model train display that delights visitors of all ages.
Solberg says the museum plays an important role in helping people connect with their roots. “The younger generation always comes out learning something new, and that’s the whole point. If you don’t know your history, you don’t know where you came from,” she explains.
Tours are available by appointment at 701-734-6707. More information can be found at WiltonND.org.
