The Northern Pacific Depot in Wallace, Idaho was constructed in 1901 with unique bricks from the Olympian Hotel, the original terminus of the transcontinental Northern Pacific Railroad in Tacoma, Washington. With the construction of an interstate highway in 1986, the building was moved approximately 200 feet across the Coeur d’Alene River to its current location. Today the chateau style depot building serves as a museum telling the story of the area’s rich railroading history.
According to the display:
“Date nails were used as a record keeping tool as to when the ties or timbers were treated with preservatives. The date nails were put into place by hand in a specific location on a tie or timber at the factory. Typical places for date nails to appear are at cross ties, switch ties, bridge and trestle timbers.”
According to the display:
“At the turn of the century semaphores were nearly universally used for train order signals. Semaphores utilized signal arms are very tall posts to give orders to train crews. The position of the arms indicated signals such as to order the train to stop or proceed.”
More Museums
Museums 101: Missoula Art Museum (photo diary)
Museums 101: The Heritage Station Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Hood River Historical Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Tillamook County Pioneer Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Wasco County Historical Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: White River Valley Museum
Museums 101: The Presby House Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The East Benton County Museum (Photo Diary)