(rshsdepot) Storm Lake, IA

[jdent1_@_optonline.net]

Rail depot on endangered list
 =

By=3A Dana Larsen=2C Pilot Tribune Editor August 24=2C 2004 =

 =

The committee working to save the Storm Lake railroad depot got a boost F=
riday when it was announced that the building will be named to the 2004 I=
owa=27s Most Endangered Properties list=2E
  =

The list=2C an effort of the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance=2C began=
 in 1995 to show Iowans the special buildings and historic sites that wer=
e slowly and gradually slipping away=2E The depot was nominated by local =
committee founder Brad Strader last May=2E

Nearly 100 nominations are made each year=2E =


Only a select 10-12 sites have been chosen for the Most Endangered list i=
n past years=2E

A panel of judges considers four criteria in choosing the list=3A geograp=
hic distribution=2C historic significance=2C nature of threat and variety=
 of building type=2E

The Canadian National Railroad now owns the Storm Lake depot=2C and had p=
lanned to demolish it=2E The local committee has negotiated to obtain the=
 site to be converted into a welcome center=2C and railroad officials hav=
e expressed an interest if the building is moved away from the site=2E An=
 area near the Storm Lake school administration building is considered th=
e most viable alternative=2E A local fund drive is expected to begin soon=
=2E

=22Too often=2C members of a community find themselves helpless when arch=
itectural and historical sites of local=2C state and national significanc=
e are threatened=2C=22 said Dr=2E Michael Kramme=2C director of the Allia=
nce=2C on the group=27s website=2E =22People like you=2C who would like t=
o see the historical buildings preserved=2C lack a voice in preserving th=
e historic integrity of our communities=2E We believe it=27s time for mem=
bers of the state to join together to preserve historical buildings and l=
andmarks=2E Together=2C we can save the farmstead in the country=2C the a=
bandoned depot=2C the old home by the river or the beautiful department s=
tore=2E=22

Although the designation does not prevent potential demolition of a histo=
rical site=2C it does provide some support=2C advocacy and consulting tow=
ard the preservation of the sites=2E

The depot is already listed on the National Register of Historic Sites=2E=
 =

=A9Storm Lake Pilot Tribune 2004  =



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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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