Large Train Passenger Station in Rural Idaho

Lewiston Depot, Lewiston Idaho

Date added: September 28, 2024

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Lewiston's first train arrived from Spokane on September 20^th, 1898, but the town was at the end of a Northern Pacific branch line for several years before a big permanent depot was built. A Clearwater Valley railroad war between Northern Pacific and Union Pacific was finally resolved with a unique cooperative venture: the Camas Prairie Railroad. A new station was designed in 1908 in the office of Northern Pacific's engineering department. The lot, across from the Nez Perce County Courthouse, had been purchased in 1906; an old flour mill was razed to permit construction of the depot.

In 1909 the station was completed and Camas Prairie Railroad took over its parent lines' operations from Riparia, Washington, to Grangeville, Idaho.

This is the most imposing railway station in this part of the state.

Building Description

The depot is of light-colored pressed brick. The two-story central block is topped by a squared gable of Dutch character, and is flanked by long one-story wings containing the baggage and storage areas. The original blueprints show that one of these wings was originally left open for parking baggage carts. A brick-columned portico extends to the street at the main entrance across from the courthouse.

Like most stations of its era, the Lewiston depot had a large general waiting room, a smoking room for men, and a "Ladies' Retiring Room." The ticket office on the main floor was located in the trackside bay, giving the ticket agents a view of approaching trains. On the second floor, the telegraph office occupied the bay. Offices of the roadmaster, superintendent, and clerks occupied the rest of the upstairs.