Wisconsin Central Waukesha Depot

Wisconsin Central Depot in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on November 19, 2001

This limestone vernacular depot at 120 East Broadway in Waukesha was built by the Wisconsin Central Railroad in 1887. The Wisconsin Central Railroad was reorganized as the Wisconsin Central Railway in 1897 and was leased in 1909 by the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway, which itself was controlled by the Canadian Pacific Railway. On September 1, 1944, the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway was reorganized as the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad. The Wisconsin Central Railroad entered receivership in 1932, declared bankruptcy in 1944, and was reorganized as the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company in 1954. On January 1, 1961, the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad and the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company were merged with the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad to form the Soo Line Railroad. On October 11, 1987, the Soo Line spun off the former Wisconsin Central line to the new independent Wisconsin Central, Ltd. The last passenger train served this depot in January 1965, but it continues to be used by local train crews and maintenance personnel to this day. It was listed as a local landmark in 1992. The Wisconsin Central was purchased by the Canadian National Railway on October 9, 2001.