Fort Madison Santa Fe Depot — Attraction in Fort Madison

This beautifully built Spanish colonial style building has Designed by Santa Fe Chief Engineer C.F. Morse, the dark red brick station listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each gable was fitted with the Santa Fe’s cross-within-a-circle emblem. Deep eaves circling the building sheltered passengers from inclement weather. The Fort Madison depot features trim executed in local Appanoose stone, such as a water table, sills, lintels, and coping. In addition to the depot complex, the town’s railroad connections are represented by Santa Fe Caboose #235. Donated to the North Lee County Historical Society, it has been restored and includes the brakemen seats, conductor’s desk, folding seat/beds, and a...

Was a very nice put together little Museum. There was a very nice gentleman running it he explained to the three children all about why the fort was built how many soldiers died the different uniforms that was in there the arrowheads the GEOS all kinds of things explain why the fort was built the way it was how it was burnt down and when it was burnt down explained about the train was very knowledgeable about his job just a wonderful little Museum got more history from that place than they do in school these days my 11-year-old...

The gentleman running this little museum was a font of knowledge and provided some of the best stories I've heard in a long time. His knowledge of the items in the museum and local history was impressive and welcomed. I am grateful to have had the experience and glad we stopped in. So much history is passed down through story, word of mouth, by men like this. If you ever get a chance to visit, I highly recommend you do and...