The architecture of the Depot is the Richardson Romanesque Style which influenced the first Chicago School of architecture and architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. That Style, named after Henry Hobson Richardson, generally follows Romanesque Revival Style, incorporating 11th century southern French and Spanish Romanesque characteristics, plus Richardson designs, which can be observed on the Depot.
The Restored Burlington Northern Depot & WWII Memorial Museum is a project in the Depot Hill Historic Preservation District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, cultural resources worthy of preservation, administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
The Restored Burlington Northern Depot & WWII Memorial Museum:
HONOR & DISSEMINATE the knowledge of the sacrifices of Montgomery County Iowa service people during the Second World War, and all citizens engaged in and affected by the conflict.
COLLECT, PRESERVE, & DISPLAY materials & artifacts pertaining to WWII. PROMOTE & ENCOURAGE the study and research of the Second World War. Especially how the perseverance of Montgomery County soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and merchant marines, and those serving on the home front,resulted in ultimate victory.
Your visit to the Depot and Museum, which is ADA accessible, can include docent and self-guided tours, an orientation in the auditorium with a rear projection TV screen, use of the WWII and railroad history research library, and the gift shop.
● In 1903 when the CB&Q (Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) Railroad Depot was completed, it was a model of modern convenience linking Red Oak Iowa to more urban communities in worlds totally different from life here on the prairie. Rural communities were virtually inaccessible by any method of transportation until lifelines of railroads joined them to more metropolitan societies.
Re-dedicated 20 DEC 2003, on the 100th anniversary of the first dedication, The Restored Burlington Northern Depot now houses a WWII Memorial Museum, dedicated to all those who served in the Second World War, whether on the front lines ( 1,100 active duty service participants were from Montgomery County Iowa ) or the home front.
During the struggle against the Axis, the citizens of Montgomery County Iowa lost a high percentage of their sons. See our website for a report (3 pages, 30 KB .pdf) from the Iowa War Records Commission. Many of those active service participants from the county were assigned to Company F ( Villisca ) and Company M ( Red Oak ). During WWII, both units were part of the 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th “ Red Bull ” Infantry Division.
Artifacts of historical significance pertaining to World War II. For example, collections concerning citizen-soldiers on the war front, primarily in the North Africa and Italian Campaigns. Also, collections concerning the sacrifices of citizens supporting the war effort, from the home front.
Extensive research library covering primarily WWII, but also the various conflicts in which citizens from Montgomery County Iowa were engaged, beginning with the U.S. Civil War. Additionally, research collections regarding the history of railroads in Iowa and the Midwest. The railroad has been a major influence in Red Oak Iowa since the tracks were laid in 1869. The walking or driving tour of "Heritage Hill" will highlight the architecture from the early era of the community.
Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars
Appointment required: False
Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Event Rental
Restaurant
Group Tours