Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
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The Chicago, Milwaukee
and St. Paul Passenger Depot
at Central Avenue and River Drive North
Great Falls, Montana
May 28, 2016

USA map showing location of MontanaMontana map showing where Great Falls is located

In the "Golden Age' of railroads, the train station was often considered the gateway to a city, and most towns and rail lines tried to outdo each other in creating the most impressive building in town. This depot in Great Falls is a perfect example of that. Rising high above the prairie, the 135 foot tower still dominates the skyline. While no longer in use as a train station, this depot is still an interesting piece of architecture. Plus, it is at a good location right along the Missouri River. The riverfront trail and park runs right along the former station. Directions: Right downtown...look for the tower.

the Depot Building

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot building

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot building

history bookThe Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot, located in Great Falls, Montana, was built in 1915 by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (also known as The Milwaukee Road). The Milwaukee Road was the last transcontinental railroad that entered Montana in 1907-1908 as a part of its "Pacific Extension".

The depot is a two-story brick building that includes a 135-foot tower. The building is rectangular in shape. The first floor held the waiting rooms, station agent's office and baggage rooms. Railroad offices were located on the second floor. It was designed by architect J.A. Lindstrand, who also designed the Milwaukee Depot in Missoula, Montana.

The depot continued to serve the local community until the mid-1960s. The Milwaukee Road then ceased passenger service. After the railroad's bankruptcy, the building sat vacant until it was converted into a retail mall in the 1970s. The mall closed in the early 1980s. In 1988, the building was converted into an office building.

above quote From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot building

entry to the Depot Building

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot sign

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot building

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot tower

Lee Duquette

waterfall at the depot building

waterfall at the depot building

waterfall at the depot building

waterfall at the depot building

Below: The two RV Gypsies were told by a local person that the Depot Building used to communicate with another tower a few blocks away, so the two RV Gypsies included a photo of the other tower below.

the other tower

the other tower

Menu for the two RV Gypsies Adventures in Montana
(sites 17-20 on the 2016 USA map)
May 22-31, 2016

You may visit these sites in any order you choose.
There is also a link to Alberta, Canada below.

green bullet travel photos and Billings Village RV Park - (site 17)

green bullet Billings Welcome Center

green bullet Chief Plenty Coups State Park

green bullet Trader Dave's Restaurant

green bullet Pictograph Cave State Park - two pages

green bullet Pompeys Pillar - two pages

green bullet Riverfront Park

green bullet Swords Rimrock Park - Scenic Park

green bullet Yellowstone Kelly

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green bullet Conestoga Campground in White Sulphur Springs (site 18)

green bullet Natural Mineral Hot Springs in White Sulphur Springs

bar & barn divide bar

green bullet RV driving day and snow lingering alongside the road - (site 19)

green bullet Fort Benton, Montana- the birthplace of Montana

green bullet Veteran's Memorial Park

green bullet Upper Missouri River Breaks Interpretive National Monument

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Below; Places in Great Falls Montana - (site # 20)

green bullet Great Falls, MT: paintings, bridges, statues, Pasta Montana

green bullet The Historical Depot Building (this page)

green bullet The Montana Veteran's Memorial

green bullet Lewis and Clark National Historic Interpretive Center - 2 pages

green bullet Giant Springs State Park, springs, waterfall, long and short rivers

green bullet Rainbow, Crooked, and Black Eagle Falls plus Sacagawea Overlook

green bullet Gibson Park: statues and a Flower Garden

Look Below for more navigation

continue on to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies AFTER you have seen all of the above sections, please continue on to Alberta, Canada in June, 2016