Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum

This railroad museum is located in an historic depot listed on the National Register of Historical Places along with the entire town of Wallace. The museum looks back at the time when railroads were the king of transportation. Exhibits tell of the rich history of railroading in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District and of the depot itself. Visitors can see a rare 13 foot glass map of the Northern Pacific Railroad, or come by for Depot Days, a classic car show and festival held each year on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

The elegant chateau styled depot, which houses the two story museum, was built at the turn of the century with unique brick transported from China and concrete panels made from mine tailings. Railroads have been an integral part of the mining district since 1887. In 1976, while still in business as a railroad station, the depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A decade later, after the station closed, it was moved 200 feet to make way for the completion of Interstate 90. The celebrated move, rehabilitation and conversion to a museum cost nearly two-thirds of a million dollars.