Located in the heart of downtown Ferguson, the railroad depot was the hub around which the City grew and developed.

It was built some time between 1879 and 1885 using a standard station design common throughout the Midwest. It is the only known example of this design remaining in Missouri.

The depot was Ferguson’s first meeting place. Churches met and organized here before building their own facilities and citizens registered to vote and cast their ballots at the depot. The community fire alarm was the station whistle, which also served as the town clock, signaling noon lunch and suppertime. It also rang in the New Year and announced the end of World Wars I and II.

The telegraph at the depot served as a communication link to the world. At its peak, 42 trains a day served the depot and it commanded a 24-hour freight junction with eight tracks for switching until 1948.

Passenger service stopped in 1960 and use of the building for signal crews of the Norfolk Southern Railroad ceased in 1988. At the urging of a citizens’ group, the City appointed a committee to pursue preservation of this important piece of history. In October 1991, the City purchased the building for $1 and entered into a long-term lease for the land.

A transportation enhancement grant of $108,884 launched the City’s restoration project, which, in the end, cost more than $459,000. Unexpected removal of hazardous materials cost an unexpected $93,000.  The remaining space is used for historical displays, including a computerized kiosk that tells the history of the depot and the community.

In October 2000, the City leased half of the building’s interior to two local families for the establishment of the Whistle Stop Frozen Custard Shop. The business provided most of the interior finish for the building, with historic themes being used throughout. The displays were made possible by a partnership between the City of Ferguson, the Ferguson Historical Society, and a generous contribution from Emerson Electric Company, headquartered in Ferguson. Valuable assistance was also provided by the Wabash Railroad Historical Society, the Missouri History Museum, and the Museum of Transportation. Many residents also donated their time and expertise to the project.

The project has preserved an important piece of Ferguson history and created a new business and visitor attraction that serves as an anchor for downtown Ferguson. In 2001, the St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission awarded the Ferguson Station Depot an Adaptive Reuse Award for the unique nature of the effort.

The project is representative of creative solutions, public and private partnerships, and volunteer participation that is driving Ferguson’s future.