Wisconsin Historical Markers: Illinois Central Depot

Erected 2013 by Dane County Historical Society

and Fitchburg Historical Society

Fitchburg, Dane County, Wisconsin

42.962101,-89.469536

ILLINOIS

CENTRAL DEPOT

On this site a two-story railroad depot stood from 1888 until 1939. The depot served the Illinois Central Railroad, which provided passenger and freight service to Fitchburg on its route from Freeport, Illinois to Madison. The depot had a ticket office, waiting room, freight room and living quarters for the agent's family.

By 1922, four passenger and four freight trains passed through here daily. A small platform stood nearby for the loading of milk. The last Illinois Central freight train passed through in 1981, but other railroads operated the line until the early 1990s when the track was abandoned and eventually removed. The rail bed is now part of the Badger State Bike Trail.

NOTE: This is a two-sided marker. See also, Fitchburg.

The marker is located on the Badger State Bike Trail, alongside Wendt Road, between County Highway M (to the south) and Adams Road (to the north), Fitchburg, Wisconsin 53575.

The marker was dedicated October 20, 2013, at 1:30 p.m.

Fitchburg Historical Society: City Worker Mark Hodel holds the historical marker he just unwrapped commemorating the Illinois Central depot that once stood along present day Wendt Road.

This marker is No. 46 in the Dane County Historical Society Markers Series.

Fitchburg Historical Society

NOTE: A generous thank you!!! to Rich Eggleston for sharing photos of the dedication ceremony (see below).

Looking south along the Badger State Bike Trail.

Such a beautiful location!

The marker's unveiling

The dedication ceremony.

Permission to post DCHS Newsletter graciously granted by

Dane County Historical Society

The marker is located in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Comments from Visitors

Thank you so much for visiting, documenting, photographing and sharing our historic markers! This is truly an honor and it is much appreciated.
Jim Schuh
Chippewa County Historical Society

I just discovered your site and have been using it in my fourth grade summer school class in Viroqua, WI. We learned about Wisconsin throughout the year and are spending some time during summer school reading and talking about the history of Viroqua. We plan to take a walking trip to the Pioneer Cemetery and Lucy Stone marker. Thank you for all of your information!
Kimberly (Brye) Cade

Hi, I really love your historic marker site a lot, I write a travel blog and I get pictures of these markers to assist in my writing about each town. I went to the Dean House in January for their monthly tour. Here is a link.

lauriesportraits

Very nice blog post. I certainly love this site. Keep it up!
Anonymous

Thank you for posting this! I am Russ & Grace's grand-daughter & very happy they helped preserve this little slice of Soo Line history for future generations! Awesome website. Thanks for your work!
Lillian Ferrall

Thanks for writing about your experiences! This is such a unique and wonderful way to share the history of our wonderful Wisconsin!
tessalynn

Illinois Central Depot

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