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William J. Manon Jr. | all galleries >> Galleries >> Surviving Railroad Depots of America > Illinois Central Depot, Forreston, Illinois.jpg
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October 9, 2005 William J. Manon Jr.

Illinois Central Depot, Forreston, Illinois.jpg

Forreston, Illinois

The Design of this Depot is very similar that of the Seward, Burlington & Genoa Depots.
It is currently used as storage for Anderson Trucking.


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Joe S. 05-Mar-2015 03:15
This depot has been completely restored as of 2012. You can clearly see it on Google street-level view- Avon Ave at N. Oak Ave.
Mike Zettle 24-May-2013 06:18
Nathan, READ my post. As I said before, this depot replaced the original one in 1942. Yes, the ones you see in a lot of the post cards is the first depot that was built shortly after the railroad came through town.
Nathan Pitts 09-Mar-2013 14:20
I have been researching Forreston, as part of a model railroad project, and historical interests. I am interested in the accuracy of history and, with all due respect, do not believe this is the original Forreston passenger depot. Pictures of the original depot are readily available on the net, and the early depot was a much larger and taller building, with large roof overhangs to keep rain off the waiting passengers. The roof on this building is wrong, and this building is much smaller in all dimensions. If you look at the pictures of the original depot, you can see a building that DOES resemble this one, directly behind the depot. My guess it it was a freight house, and the size, and roof style are similar to this one. Somebody suggested this may be the original depot from North Forreston, (which was the basis of my original research) but though the shape is generally similar, again the roof is, the doors are not the same, and that "bay" or "ell" on the end, is not in the same place. I suppose it is possible that the original depot may have been lost in a fire or something, and this building was pressed into depot service, maybe, but I clearly don't believe it is the original building. I would be very interested in knowing more about this particular building, and would appreciate contact info in that regard.
Mike Zettle 18-Jan-2011 07:35
This type "B" depot was put here is 1942. It replaced the passenger depot that was at the same spot until that time. Passenger service discontinued in the mid to late 30's on the Amboy district. Andy Anderson who owns the depot is going to use it as a bunk house for over the road truck drivers on his firm. It will still retain the looks of a old depot as Andy is a railroad fan. As a side note after 1942 this depot served as a station agent point for the towns of Dunbar, Baileyville, North Forreston, Forreston, Haldane, Polo, and Woosung. Because of the high amount of traffic at the North Forreston interchange and the North Forreston Gravel pit, Forreston remained open where as the other town stations were either closed or tore down. Forreston also had a small yard by the depot to sort the off fall of sand and gravel traffic from North Forreston. Forreston also had a 13 stall roundhouse to the North of the depot site. This serviced the IC and the CB&Q that came into Forreston from the South East. The roundhouse was tore done in the mid 40's. The CB&Q left town in Sept. of 1932.
William J. Manon Jr.27-Mar-2010 17:22
This Illinois Central Type "B" Depot has been moved about a block in the last couple of years but it has always been in Forreston. North Forreston is where the Milwaukee Road went under the Illinois Central. they had an interchange track and the Millwaukee Road had a depot untill the 1980's when it was torn down. I really need to update this photo and look up a proper History. thanks for your Comments
Luke A Garard 04-Mar-2010 04:52
This station here was actually the North Forreston station if im not mistaken. N. Forreston was about 4 miles north on baileyville rd. Wasnt much to the area. A book was just put out on the station. Very good book too. Copies still available. Since this picture was taken they have actually done some work. I actually was just there today. Their replacing some of the damaged wood and slowly priming it. Coming along nicely.
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