Abandoned train station in South Dakota

Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Depot, Beresford South Dakota

Date added: February 10, 2023 Categories: South Dakota Train Station

Rear and Side Facades, Looking Northwest (1984)

The town of Beresford owes much of its initial success to the railroad.

When representatives of the Hawarden-Iroquois Line of the central divisions on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad revealed the site of their new railroad depot in 1884, the construction of town buildings in what is now Beresford soon began. It was the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad that christened the new station "Beresford". As the town grew and increased its dependence on the railroad, the depot became a hub of activity. It became a popular place to hold early town meetings and religious services until churches could be built.

After the rail service had escalated to the point where the depot became too small to facilitate the volume of business being done, the original depot was torn down and a new, larger facility was erected in 1924 on the same site.

Bakken and Anderson Construction Company was chosen to build this new depot.

At the peak of the rail service, there were two freight and four passenger trains running on a daily basis. However, with the proliferation of cars and trucks, improved roads, airplanes, and the decline of market centers, the importance of rail transportation began to wane. In July of 1978, the last Chicago and Northwestern train departed Beresford, thus ending 95 consecutive years of service.

The Depot stands today as a reminder of this once-important mode of transportation. Consisting of a freight room, the gentleman's and ladies waiting rooms, and the ticket office, the building retains many of its original features. The ticket office still has the original safe, ticket windows, and desks. Some of the original woodwork throughout the building is intact. Efforts are being made by the non-profit Beresford Community Depot, Inc., to save, restore and readapt the building for use as a community center.

Building Description

Located one block south of the downtown commercial district, the long rectangular Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Depot is constructed of concrete, brick, and stucco on frame. The hip roof has fared eaves and is topped by a brick chimney. Fenestration includes twelve 6 over 6 sash windows, five double doors, and two single doors. Pediments with decorative half-timbering distinguish the ticket office and washroom sections of the building.

Measuring 24' by 125', the building consists of a freight room (north section), the gentleman's waiting room (middle section), the washrooms and ticket office section, and the ladies waiting room (south section). The ticket office still has the original safe, ticket windows, and desks. Some of the original woodwork throughout the building has been retained. There is a partial basement that contains a furnace. Since it was constructed in 1924, the structure has been connected to the city water and sewer system making indoor plumbing possible.

The Beresford Community Depot, Inc. raised over $10,000 to purchase the depot from the State and the City of Beresford. The money also went towards a new roof, general maintenance around the building, and replacing and reglazing the twelve windows.