219 S. Blair - Chicago & Northwestern Depot Built 1910 Architects: Frost and Granger The second depot building in Madison for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. The building was touted by the newspapers as the most beautiful depot in the Northwestern system, when it was built in 1910, designed by the architectural firm of Frost and Granger of Chicago. Refer to the story on page 263 of David Mollenhoff's book, Madison: A History of the Formative Years, University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, 2003. The building was constructed to replace the earlier red brick depot. A previous 1906 proposal for a larger structure with a 5 story tower was denied by the City, as it would have involved closing the Blount Street right of way for an extended boarding platform. The depot was closed in 1965, and sold to Madison Gas & Electric, who radically modified the interior and converted the structures to office space and materials storage. In 1983 the company constructed a new corporate headquarters behind the depot building. Chicago and Northwestern Deport, from "Madison, “The Four Lake City,” published 1918 Various post cards from the 1910's Interior post card, showing the view from the lobby facing the Blair St entrance. Blount Street power plant is on the left. Madison Gas & Electric Co Blount Street Station, from Blount St. - From “Madison - The Four Lake City”, 1914 Chicago & Northwestern passenger train at Blount Street, looking towards downtown. c.1930. photo courtesy Nick Schroeder Wisconsin Historical Society Images: 32152 American Express at Railroad Depot 33390 American Express Wagons 35562 Walt Kelly & Pogo on Book Tour 11039 Drafted Men at Chicago & Northwestern Station 4898 Train and Automobile at Intersection 52152 Train of Tomorrow 14433 Union News Company Merchandise Display 14449 Union News Co. Merchandise Display36539 Wing Detail 54802 Chicago & North Western Railroad Station 25341 Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Station114304 Verges Baggage and Dray Line 3853 Railroad Construction Crew 3684 Railroad Construction Crew 14555 Nash Cars at Governor Julius P. Heil's Inauguration 49076 Railway Express Agency Truck |
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