Property Record
500 Railroad Ave
Architecture and History Inventory
Historic Name: | Omaha #301 |
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Other Name: | Colfax Railroad Museum |
Contributing: | |
Reference Number: | 246038 |
Location (Address): | 500 Railroad Ave |
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County: | Dunn |
City: | Colfax |
Township/Village: | |
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Year Built: | 1884 |
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Historic Use: | rolling stock |
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Other Buildings On Site: | Y |
Demolished?: | No |
Demolished Date: |
National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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National Register Listing Date: | |
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Additional Information: | This car has an arched roof with a raised central section, vertical boxcar siding, and symmetrical openings on the side walls featuring wood and glass doors and single light windows with transoms and horizontal security bars. The NRQ states that this is the oldest standard gauge mail car extant in the United States and the oldest original Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha car in Wisconsin. The car was built in railroad shops and in the early 1920s, it was modified with vertical rails on the ends for safety. In the late 1920s, the car was sold and converted into a residence with much of its historic fabric altered. The car was donated to the museum in 2002 and based on original plans, the exterior was restored. The interior is awaiting restoration. |
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Bibliographic References: | NRQ, August, 2023. |
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |