National Register Listing

Union Depot

a.k.a. Ashland Depot, Chicago & Northwest Railroad Co.

417 Chapple Ave., Ashland, WI
The Ashland depot is significant as a major landmark in the city of Ashland symbolizing the city's turn-of-the-century dream of future greatness. Built in an era when residents felt Ashland would one day compete with major cities like Chicago, the depot became a key terminal for freight and passengers from northern Wisconsin and Michigan. The depot is also significant as the work of a regionally prominent architect, Charles Sumner Frost, who specialized in the design of railroad stations.
Local significance of the building:
Transportation; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

transportation architecture
Audiobooks about the history of Wisconsin.
The first European to explore Wisconsin was Jean Nicolet, a French explorer who arrived in 1634. He was looking for a water route to Asia but instead encountered the Menominee Indians near Green Bay.
Wisconsin random facts
Ashland County, Wisconsin has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and other Native American tribes. European exploration and settlement began in the late 17th century, with French fur traders and missionaries establishing a presence in the region. The area was heavily involved in the fur trade, with trappers and traders using the nearby waterways to transport goods.

In the mid-19th century, Ashland County saw a significant influx of settlers due to the discovery of copper and iron ore deposits. Mining operations boomed, attracting people from all over the country. The city of Ashland was founded in 1854 as a mining town and quickly became a major center for shipping ore and supplies. The mining industry played a crucial role in the development of the county, providing jobs and economic growth.

The arrival of the railroads in the late 19th century further contributed to Ashland County's growth. The railroads improved transportation and allowed for the expansion of industries such as logging and agriculture. Timber became a major industry, with vast forests providing a steady supply of lumber. Agriculture also thrived, with dairy farming becoming particularly important.

Throughout the 20th century, Ashland County experienced both prosperity and challenges. The decline of the mining and logging industries in the latter part of the century had a significant impact on the local economy. However, the county has continued to adapt and diversify, with tourism and outdoor recreation becoming increasingly important. Ashland County is now known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which attract visitors from all over the world.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Ashland County, Wisconsin.

  • 1860: Ashland County is created by the Wisconsin State Legislature
  • 1870: Ashland becomes the county seat
  • 1870s: Logging and sawmills drive the local economy
  • 1883: The Wisconsin Central Railroad reaches Ashland
  • 1894: Ashland experiences a devastating fire that destroys most of the city
  • 1900: The population of Ashland County reaches its peak
  • 1920s: The decline of the lumber industry leads to a shift in the local economy towards tourism and agriculture
  • 1940s: Ashland County contributes to the war effort during World War II
  • 1970s: The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is established, boosting tourism in the area
  • 1990s: The population of Ashland County begins to decline