The ICRR Depot Restoration
In early 1994, the Iowa State Sesquicentennial Commission charged each county to come up with a plan to “leave a legacy” for future generations in preparation for the states's 150th year celebration to be held in 1996. The executive committee for Buchanan County's Sesquicentennial Commission met at the home of Helen Randall on a mild March day in 1994. Sitting around the table were Maurice and Wilma Welsh (Fairbank), Pat and Mark Gorman (Rowley), Alan and Joyce Wright (Jesup), and Jeanette Randall (Independence).
At the time, the railroad company was planning to demolish the two buildings and canopy that comprised the historic Illinois Central Depot, originally built in 1892. A committee member suggested saving the depot and using it as a visitor center to promote tourism in the county. The committee soon embraced idea and began looking for suitable sites, exploring available grants, and brainstorming for ways to raise private money.
A parcel of land along Highway 150 that was about four blocks from the original location of the depot seemed the ideal site. It was owned by the Greenley Development Company headed by Leroy Greenley. The company agreed to commit the property to the project in May 1994. With extensive support from both Independence and county residents, the commission collaborated with the Buchanan County Tourism Bureau. It successfully obtained a $240,000 INRCOG grant matched by $60,000 of local money to purchase and relocate the buildings. Architect Jerry Anderson of Design Center Associates in Dubuque, who was an Independence graduate of the Class of 1957, donated his time and skills to make the project work.
Ground breaking took place in November 1995 followed by testing, permits, site preparation, and fundraising. Finally, in August 1996, Mark Edwards of Edwards Moving, located in Shelbyville, Kentucky was awarded the bid to relocate the buildings and canopy. Work began in September of 1996, and the Depot and Baggage buildings were successfully moved to the new site in October 1996. In March 1997, the commission received an additional matching grant, written by Mary Johnson for $109,000 for the sole purpose of restoring the old canopy.
At the time, the railroad company was planning to demolish the two buildings and canopy that comprised the historic Illinois Central Depot, originally built in 1892. A committee member suggested saving the depot and using it as a visitor center to promote tourism in the county. The committee soon embraced idea and began looking for suitable sites, exploring available grants, and brainstorming for ways to raise private money.
A parcel of land along Highway 150 that was about four blocks from the original location of the depot seemed the ideal site. It was owned by the Greenley Development Company headed by Leroy Greenley. The company agreed to commit the property to the project in May 1994. With extensive support from both Independence and county residents, the commission collaborated with the Buchanan County Tourism Bureau. It successfully obtained a $240,000 INRCOG grant matched by $60,000 of local money to purchase and relocate the buildings. Architect Jerry Anderson of Design Center Associates in Dubuque, who was an Independence graduate of the Class of 1957, donated his time and skills to make the project work.
Ground breaking took place in November 1995 followed by testing, permits, site preparation, and fundraising. Finally, in August 1996, Mark Edwards of Edwards Moving, located in Shelbyville, Kentucky was awarded the bid to relocate the buildings and canopy. Work began in September of 1996, and the Depot and Baggage buildings were successfully moved to the new site in October 1996. In March 1997, the commission received an additional matching grant, written by Mary Johnson for $109,000 for the sole purpose of restoring the old canopy.
