Railroad Depot Museum and Caboose
Troutdale Depot rebuilt in 1907 after fire destroyed original 1882 Troutdale Depot.
473 E Historic Columbia River Highway
Hours of Operation
Monday, Thursday - Sunday: 9am - 5pm
Tuesday & Wednesday: 9am - 3pm
Donations gladly accepted
Troutdale Railroad Depot History
On November 20, 1882 a rail line was built through what is now Troutdale and continued east through the Columbia River Gorge. Troutdale’s founder, Captain John Harlow, asked railroad builders to establish a depot at his town site. When they refused, he sailed his small riverboat up the Sandy River during a spring freshet and declared the river navigable demanding an expensive draw bridge to accommodate river traffic instead of the trestle planned by railroad builders. He obligingly withdrew his demand when the railroad bowed to his wishes for a depot.
The original Troutdale railroad depot, constructed in 1882, was destroyed by fire in 1907. Later that same year, the present depot was built on the site to continue serving the community as a vital transportation and shipping hub. Over the years, only a few changes have been made, including the addition of indoor restrooms and modifications to the trackside bay area. Otherwise, the building remains remarkably similar to its original appearance. During its busiest years, countless carloads of fresh vegetables and other agricultural products departed from this station. Today, the station agent's office displays railroad artifacts generously donated by local residents.
c. 1910. Troutdale Rail Depot. Five unknown men standing in front. Water tank to right. Broughton Bluff covered in fog in the background.
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c-1910. Interior view of the 1907 Troutdale depot from left to right; Stationmaster A D (Albert Daniel) Kendall and Newt Parsons. Bay window with switch mechanism was "squared off" at a later date.
The future of Troutdale's historic railroad depot changed dramatically in 1976 when the Union Pacific Railroad sold the building to the City of Troutdale for the symbolic price of just one dollar. Recognizing the depot's historical significance and the important role it had played in the community for nearly seventy years, the Troutdale Historical Society led an ambitious effort to save the structure from demolition. With the support of a grant from the U.S. Bicentennial Committee and countless hours of volunteer labor, the depot was carefully relocated from its original site on the north side of the railroad tracks to its present location. The move, completed in March 1976, was a remarkable engineering feat and marked the beginning of the building's new life as a community museum. Although the depot itself cost only one dollar, the relocation and placement of the building ultimately totaled nearly $25,000—a significant investment that demonstrated the community's commitment to preserving its heritage. Restoration work continued over the following years, allowing the depot to once again become a centerpiece of Troutdale history.
1976. Station agent A. L. Holden is standing in front of the 1907 depot. He is holding a photo taken when the stationwas new (THS Photo #0342). The old building was in the process of being phased out for depot use by Union Pacific.
A view of the Depot Museum taken about 1980 by Wayne Lampman. At this time the east end of the building was used by the Troutdale Police and the west end was the THS Depot Rail Museum.
c-1907. View looking east of the second Troutdale depot, taken shortly after completion of the building. A caboose is parked behind the depot.
c 1976. Although this photo was taken in 1976, the dispatcher's phone shown was used in the depot built in 1907. It was moved to the depot built in 1976 and continued on display there.
c-1976. The original depot building from 1907 is being moved, by truck, from its original site to a location opposite city hall. The truck is negotiating a tight turn, narrowly missing a utility pole.
C-1978. George Skorney of Union Pacific and Sharon Nesbit holding the UP Logo for the Depot Museum of the THS.
In 1987, the railroad further enhanced the museum grounds by donating the bright yellow Southern Pacific caboose that now sits beside the historic depot. Once a familiar sight at the end of freight trains, the caboose represents an important chapter in American railroad history. Together, the restored depot and caboose provide visitors with an authentic glimpse into the era when rail transportation connected Troutdale to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and played a vital role in the region's growth and prosperity.
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On April 30, 2022, the Depot entered a new chapter as Mayor Randy Lauer and Sharon Nesbit officially dedicated the newly renovated building with the grand opening of the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center and the reopening of the Depot Rail Museum. Through a partnership between the City of Troutdale and the Troutdale Historical Society, the historic depot was thoughtfully remodeled to serve a dual purpose. The original ticket office and railroad spaces continue to house the Depot Rail Museum, while the former freight room was transformed into the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center, welcoming travelers from around the world. This collaborative project preserved the depot's historic character while creating a modern, inviting space that celebrates Troutdale's railroad heritage and serves as the region's official gateway to the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood.
