Hutchinson GN Depot

The 1887 GN depot in Hutchinson is no longer occupied, and is in need of repair and an eventual restoration. The last occupant was Dakota Rail in 2000; shortly after they left, the building was hit by lightning and damaged by an ensuing fire. These photos chronicle the efforts of local citizens to preserve and restore one of the few remaining artifacts of Hutchinson's railroad history.

History

A detailed history of the depot will be added at a later date.

Phase I - Stabilization

August 10, 2002 - "Before" - yardwork & inspection

August 17, 2002 - Serious yardwork

August 24, 2002 - Sifting through the debris

August 25, 2002 - Moving equipment & painting

September 4, 2002 - Removing debris

April 18, 2003 (photos not available yet) - Storing artifacts, loading materials into roof area

April 26, 2003 (photos not available yet) - More staging materials, outdoor pickup

May 10, 2003 (photos not available yet) - Installing first rafters, more outdoor pickup

May 17, 2003 (photos not available yet) - Installing more rafters

May 24, 2003 (photos not available yet) - Finish rafters, major mowing & weed cutting

June 7, 2003 (photos not available yet) - Gable end rafters & studs

April 17, 2005 - Scraping paint, removing downspouts

May 14, 2005 - Scraping paint, removing gutters

May 15, 2005 - Still scraping paint

May 21, 2005 - Priming

May 22, 2005 - Priming

May 28, 2005 - Priming, repairing soffet

May 29, 2005 - Topcoating

Read all of the work reports from this phase.

Phase II - Research

Photographs from the McLeod County Historical Society collection

Phase III - Restoration

Stay tuned!