National and State Registers of Historic Places
Rock Island Depot
200 SE Fifth Street
Abilene (Dickinson County)
Listed in National Register
Apr 12, 2010
Architect: unknown
Category: rail-related
Thematic Nomination: Historic Railroad Resources of Kansas
The Rock Island Depot, built in 1887, is a combination depot designed to accommodate both passengers and freight on this 45-mile spur stretching from Herington to Salina. It is associated with Abilene's second boom period after the cattle trade was forced out of town and the local economy shifted to agriculture. The depot features a standard plan with Victorian-era Stick style embellishments. The wood-frame building includes multi-textured wall surfaces created by varying patterns of wood siding and shingles, a low-pitched gable roof with wide overhanging eaves supported by brackets, and wood windows with stained glass transoms. It is located across the street from its original location and was moved there in 1959 to accommodate the development of the Eisenhower Presidential Museum and Library. It was nominated as part of the "Historic Railroad Resources of Kansas" multiple property listing.
