Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Depot, Railroad |
Source |
Mount Ayr Depot Museum |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Prosperity to the Depression (1897-1939) |
Chronological Tag |
The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930) |
Catalog Number |
2018.021.058 |
Credit line |
Mount Ayr Depot Museum - Mount Ayr, Iowa |
Description |
The Keokuk & Western Railroad built this depot in Ellston, Iowa, after building a rail line through the area in 1882. Ellston was originally named Wyrt, Iowa, however, the town of Van Wert, Iowa, was located along the same rail line, so the railroad insisted that the town change its name. The Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad purchased the Keokuk & Western Railroad in 1895 and took over the Ellston depot. The Railroad closed the rail line that ran through Ellston in 1945. Content can be used with the following standards: SS-Econ. 9-12.24 Iowa Impact Upon Economy in a lesson on Iowa businesses and town establishment in the early 1900s. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
The town of Ellston was built as a train depot and was orginally named Wirt. To avoid mail delivery confusion with the town of Van Wert, the town changed its to name to Ellston. In addition to the depot, the town held stockyards and scales near the railway to help farmers and stock raisers. As the town expanded, new businesses opened and a Methodist church was built by pastor J. E. Evans. In 1866, a schoolhouse was built, with 60 students in attendance. In the 1920s, Ellston had a population of 300 and a town that included a movie theater, grain elevator, lumber yard, several businesses, restaurants, hotels, banks, a doctor's office and a library. However in the year 1921, a fire destroyed much of the business sector of Ellston, with $11,000 worth of damage. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog #: 2018.045.201- Remembering Southeast Iowa’s Peavine |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - Local |
County Tag |
Ringgold |
Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
Business & Industry Towns Types of Business and Industries Natural Disasters Railroad depots Railroad companies |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Mount Ayr Depot Museum and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
