Kelso #2: Kelso Station

501 South First Street

Kelso Station on September 5, 2005.

Rail service first came to Kelso in 1872, when the Northern Pacific Railway built north from a river connection at Kalama, Washington toward Seattle.

Kelso Station on December 17, 2005.

This brick depot opened on February 12, 1912, replacing an earlier wood-frame depot built in the 1800s on land donated by the Crawford family in November 1886. A ramp extended across the tracks to a dock on the Cowlitz River for the transfer of fish and other freight from boats to trains.

Kelso Station on November 27, 2008.

In 1948, nearly 40 feet was added to the south end of the building to provide a separate, dedicated space for the Railway Express Agency, and free up space in the baggage room.

Kelso Station on November 27, 2008.

The Northern Pacific became part of Burlington Northern on March 2, 1970, and Amtrak took over passenger service on May 1, 1971.

Kelso Station on November 27, 2008.

On June 1, 1973, Burlington Northern closed its freight depot and turned over passenger ticket operations to Amtrak.

Kelso Station on November 29, 2008.

By the early 1990s, the depot was locked up. Amtrak trains still stopped at the station, but there were no personnel at the station and passengers had to wait outside. Tickets had to be purchased in advance, either from a travel agent, or from another station with Amtrak personnel.

Kelso Station on November 29, 2008.

Historical Photos:
Kelso Depot, 1920s (Washington State Railroads Historical Society)
Passenger Train at Kelso, 8/21/72 (RRPictureArchives.net) 
Freight Train passing Kelso, 8/21/72 (RRPIctureArchives.net)

Plaque for the Renovation of the depot on February 11, 2012.

In September 1994, after years of neglect, a major renovation and restoration of the depot was started to turn the depot into a multimodal transportation hub for Cowlitz County.

Kelso Station Clock Tower on September 5, 2005.

The $3.3 million renovation included the addition of a clock tower and putting a full basement under the depot, which had never had one before, to be used for retail space.

Interior of the Kelso Station during its 100th Anniversary on February 11, 2012.

The renovation was completed and the depot was dedicated as the "Kelso Intermodal Facility" at 2:30 PM on September 23, 1995.

Interior of the Kelso Station during its 100th Anniversary on February 11, 2012.

In accordance with the multimodal plans, Greyhound and CUBS used the depot as a bus station until 2005, but the basement has never had a tenant and while Amtrak trains continue to stop here, no Amtrak personnel are assigned to the station. For a time it was possible to buy a Greyhound ticket but not an Amtrak ticket, but an automated Amtrak ticket machine has since been installed.

Interior of the Kelso Station during its 100th Anniversary on February 11, 2012.

In August 2009, the Kelso-Longview Train Depot Volunteers began having volunteers staff the depot 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. NOTE: The clock tower does not have a permanent pointed spire on top of it; in the photos that show it, it is a temporary holiday decoration (though I think it makes the clock tower look better).

Model of the Kelso Station displayed at its 100th Anniversary on February 11, 2012.

The renderings below were used for the invitations to the Grand Opening of the Kelso Intermodal Facility and the "Keeping Kids on Track" festival on Saturday, September 23, 1995.

There are a number of differences between these renderings and the finished project, including the covered platform and the design of the clock tower and its base.

Continue to 3: Allen Street Bridge…