Rail Walk 101 - Telling the Story



In association with the Western Iowa Technical Community College (WITCC) Lifelong Learning Program we will be hosting Rail Walk 101 on Saturday, June 7th from 10 am - Noon. If you are interested in participating please contact WITCC to register for this unique walking tour of the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District.

RAIL WALK 101:

Telling the Story

Saturday, June 7; 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Meet at the Milwaukee Railroad historic district, 3400 Sioux River Road,
Iowa Hwy. 12, two miles south of Stone State Park.
Fee: No charge Max: 50
Lifelong Learning membership required
Guided tour with walking
Course #14/FY-CPDV-2371-02
A Tour of the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District

Join fellow Lifelong Learners for a private guided tour of this unique railroad historic site. You’ll

discover how the railroads built their infrastructure to transport people and goods across North America and hear about the fascinating information that came to light when the rail yard was being nominated for a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The story of the Milwaukee Road Roundhouse complex in Sioux City’s Riverside neighborhood is the story of the railroad industry and how it shaped Sioux City into the nation’s tenth largest railroad center during the 1920s and early 1930s. When the complex began operations in 1918 as the Sioux City Engine Terminal and Car Repair Shops, its design was revolutionary, combining all the

railroad’s cutting-edge facilities in one place.

This walking tour will give you a chance to view the surviving buildings and structures and learn about the architecture and their functional design. You will also be able to visit the ruins of over ten other buildings and structures.

The complex was built in 1917 by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railway Company, more commonly known as The Milwaukee Road. It was the second largest shop complex in the Milwaukee’s system. In its heyday, the site covered more than 50 acres of land and included more than 25 buildings. It employed over 500 people and served an average of 72 trains per day. The complex was finally closed in 1981when the railroad went bankrupt. It only employed two people when the doors were shut for the last time.

Over the following years the complex was converted into a salvage yard and all the buildings fell into disrepair. In 1995 the City of Sioux City awarded the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association a grant to purchase the complex and clean-up/restoration work has been ongoing ever since. Thanks to federal, state, and local grants and donations from businesses and visitors the past few years have

seen unprecedented building and grounds restoration. On this tour, you will see the progress that’s been made to date and learn about ambitious plans for the future.

 

 

Note: Please dress appropriately for weather. Please wear protective shoes – no open toe or high heels – for walking and slacks to protect your legs. Tour proceeds rain or shine.