Following speculative reports of the possible need for depot demolition in the bi-monthly public works report by John Hoel, dissatisfaction has emerged with the reported idea, as the 1906 train depot at the junction of Emery Street and First Avenue damaged in December’s tornado is nonetheless held dear by many area residents.

The depot, which last closed to human use over 50 years ago but saw a new roof in 2006 to protect it from the elements, lays in the railroad right-of-way and has been fenced off with yel- low tape as final word is awaited on its potential fate. The building is owned by the city for insurance purposes, but the city must consult with the railroad on any action to be taken. No money was received in FEMA tornado aid by the city due to not meeting damage thresholds defined in dollar amounts. In the meantime, the memories are being shared online, together with the hope that it doesn’t have to go. OBJECTION

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“I am all for rebuilding the depot and I think it would be a great idea to make it into a museum with a cute little coffee shop inside,” Sharon Zschernitz shared February 231 to the Facebook page ‘You know you are old school Stanley- Boyd if you remember.’ Citing mention of a splashpad in the paper as a wonderful idea for Chapman Park, Schernitz shared her thoughts on what would happen if the depot is lost at First and Emery.

“Another gravel parking lot would only be an eyesore to the area, it’s not going to attract,” she said. Later citing Brodhead, Wisconsin as a similar sized community that had turned their depot into a museum, Zchernitz was joined in her displeasure by others who shared of historic buildings which had run the course of time and been demolished, leaving a hole in the community.

“It was heartbreaking to see the schools gone,” Wendy Bloom Austin shared, then continuing in a new post.

“I grew up in Stanley in the ‘60s and had an idyllic childhood. I am saddened to see what’s happened to the town. I agree with you. So many old buildings have been torn down.” Many others both young and old echoed the sentiment. In the meantime, there could still be hope, at least potentially. Reached at City Hall Monday morning, City Clerk Nicole Thiel shared that no official decision had been taken on the downtown heirloom damaged in the December 15 tornado.

“There haven’t been any votes done yet or anything,” Thiel said of the once great rail depot still standing at the intersection of First and Emery.

The southwest corner of the depot is seen from the inside December 2020. The room as shown, corresponds to that area which did not have its window block removed in the December 15, 2021 tornado, seen on the left front page. Photo by Joseph Back.