Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
The Preston Historical Society (PHS) has been hard at work preserving and revitalizing the city’s historical roots – agriculture and railroad. Since its founding in 2002, PHS has led the effort to bring the former railyard back to life.
Once a bustling hub of activity, the railyard lost its centrality when interstates replaced rail as the primary mean of transportation. But thanks to the dedication of the PHS and community support, it’s making a vibrant comeback.
Visitors today can enjoy several restored rail artifacts in the Historic Campus, including: the National Register-listed Milwaukee Road Elevator; a restored1939 Milwaukee Road boxcar; 1951 Milwaukee Road caboose; a Trailing car; a Fairmont motor car; and an interpretive sign titled The Milwaukee Road in Preston.
The north side of the Historic Campus cost a little over $200,000 to restore.
And now, the Historic Campus will feature a brand-new attraction: The Preston Depot Museum and Riverfront Center.
The Museum/Center, while not the original depot, is the former Preston Dairy and Farm building located on the south side of Fillmore Street. Through the hard work of committee members and skilled contractors, the space has been transformed into a historically inspired hub that looks similar to the original depot on the outside. It is sure to impress!
The building is city-owned, with a renovation cost of $400,000 excluding exhibits. The city challenged the Society to raise $200,000 in one year before work could start.
PHS President Sheila Craig proudly said, “The Society did it in three months.” In just six months, the fundraising committee raised the $400,000.
The fundraising committee first contacted the bank, wrote grants to any place they could find, and then approached the memberships for donations. The ongoing sale of engraved fundraising bricks went over very well. The bricks purchased prior to July 31 have been installed on the depot platform, and they look fantastic! Bricks are still available for purchase.
President Craig emphasized, “The Preston community is very supportive.”
The DMRC is a tribute to the region’s rich heritage, celebrating the river, the railroad, and agriculture. Thoughtfully designed, this new space blends history with community function.
The facility has been transformed to resemble Preston’s historic train station, complete with trainmaster’s windows for spotting incoming trains, a sidewalk crafted from concrete but made to look like wood, and commemorative fundraising bricks forming the platform.
Craig shared that the contractor, Phil Eickhoff Construction, “used every scrap of everything.”
Visitors are greeted with wainscoting along the walls in the museum, evoking a warm, welcoming atmosphere of days past. Two built-in wall display cases, one in the museum and one in the center, highlight high school achievements with trophies and a collection of FFA jackets, grounding the museum in local pride and identity.
A standout feature is the ticket window, where guests can interact with a volunteer “trainmaster,” offering an authentic rail experience reminiscent of a bygone era.
In addition to the museum, there is a large, multi-purpose event space capable of hosting events for community members and businesses. While there’s no full kitchen, a spacious counter area allows for food layout and service during events. Importantly, the restrooms are located in a hallway between the museum and the event center, allowing access for event attendees even when the museum is closed as the hallway can be closed off to the museum.
Large double doors make it easy to load and unload exhibits, ensuring flexibility for future displays and community use.
Interpretive signage, created by a professional consultant, brings the exhibits to life using detailed records from the Society’s database. This ensures an accurate and engaging experience for all visitors.
Don’t miss the soft opening of the Preston Depot Museum and Riverfront Center on October 4 from 2-5 p.m. The DMRC is located at 304 Fillmore Street East, Preston.
Whether you’re a history buff, a former railroad worker, or a third grader on a field trip, this is Preston’s new must-see destination.
Leave a Reply