Keokuk, IA, celebrates 10-year restoration of 1891 Union Depot
December 2024
Vintage Discoveries
Keokuk, IA, celebrates 10-year restoration of 1891 Union Depot
by Ken Weyand
Back in its day, the massive and ornate Victorian-style depot building built in 1891 was a centerpiece of Keokuk, IA. Then a bustling transportation center, the city boasted five railroads and a steady stream of packet boats plying the Mississippi River.
Over the years, many of the packet lines gave way to railroads, and most of the rail lines gave way to automobiles and trucks. As the years passed, people like my grandfather, who used the Keokuk and Western Railroad for most of his travels, would be forgotten, as would the massive depot building that remained as a crumbling relic.
For the past decade, however, the city of Keokuk and a dedicated group of preservationists have worked to restore the depot. On Nov. 9, they met to celebrate the results of their work. A massive Victorian roof, gleaming tile and stonework, woodwork, ornate chandeliers, and a rare trackside canopy were separate restoration projects. The iron canopy is said to be the only one of its kind in existence.
The depot is available as a venue for parties, reunions and other events. Other possibilities include an Airbnb as a destination for railroad enthusiasts.
A plaque denotes the depot’s National Register status.
The depot features a steep roofline and Victorian embellishments. (Photos by Ken Weyand)
Ken Weyand is the original owner/publisher of Discover Vintage America, founded in July 1973 under the name of Discover North.
Ken Weyand can be contacted at kweyand1@kc.rr.com Ken is self-publishing a series of non-fiction E-books. Go to www.smashwords.com and enter Ken Weyand in the search box.
Visit to threshers’ show brings back ‘farm memories’
September 2023Vintage Discoveries Visit to threshers’ show brings back ‘farm memories’by Ken Weyand As a farm kid who grew up in the days when farmers were transitioning from horse-drawn equipment to tractors, a part of my brain still remembers when a threshing...
Old recipe book shows how business plans can change
July 2023 Vintage Discoveries Old recipe book shows how business plans can change by Ken Weyand A comb-bound book was recently unearthed among my old files – a reminder of how far Discover Vintage America has come since my fledgling efforts as a journalist/publisher...
Old coloring book recalls WWII
June 2023Vintage Discoveries Old coloring book recalls WWIIby Ken Weyand One of the items I’ve saved from my childhood is a coloring book, and its subject matter makes it a bit special. “Fighting Yanks” measures 11 x 14 inches, with a full-color display of warplanes,...
1900 ‘Health Book’ advised rural families what to do before the doctor comes
May 2023Vintage Discoveries 1900 ‘Health Book’ advised rural families what to do before the doctor comesby Ken Weyand Wealth of healthy living advice in 1900 A small hardbound book, part of my family’s accumulation of “old stuff,” contains a wealth of healthy living...
One of my Dad’s treasures was unique ‘Chatterbox’ book
April 2023Vintage Discoveries One of my Dad’s treasures was unique ‘Chatterbox’ bookby Ken Weyand Childhood Books As an impoverished orphan in 1900, my dad had few possessions. Luckily, his older sisters supplied him with a few books and other items that helped him...
Old tennis racket shows how much sport has changed
March 2023 Vintage Discoveries Old tennis racket shows how much sport has changed by Ken Weyand Old tennis racket Since I was a youngster, an old tennis racket has been part of our family’s collection of “never thrown-away treasures.” One of the few sporting items...
Riding crop recalls days when horses ruled the roads
February 2023Vintage Discoveries Riding crop recalls days when horses ruled the roadsby Ken Weyand Antique Riding Crop Nearly forgotten among the “family artifacts” packed away in our house was an ancient riding crop once used by my grandmother. At least that’s what...
Old top was a favorite in the 1940s toy box
December 2022Vintage Discoveries Old top was a favorite in the 1940s toy boxby Ken Weyand Toys of yesteryear Many of today’s youngsters take little interest in the toys of yesteryear. Devoid of today’s electronics and high-tech gadgetry, and handcrafted from basic...
Baby shoes from the 1880’s recall some sad family history
November 2022Vintage Discoveries Baby shoes from the 1880’s recall some sad family historyby Ken Weyand My dad often referred to his seven siblings when recalling how the family split up when their parents died, and they were “farmed out” in 1900 to various aunts and...
Terracotta figurines survived rugged European trip – and more
October 2022Vintage Discoveries Terracotta figurines survived rugged European trip – and moreby Ken Weyand Some vintage items bring back a lot of memories. In 1953, I had the good fortune of traveling in Europe with the director of the Apollo Boys Choir. As a...
Mementos of a trip to Paris: 1921-22
September 2022Vintage Discoveries Mementos of a trip to Paris: 1921-22by Ken Weyand Sailing on the Aquitania My aunt, Ruth May Weyand, was the youngest of eight siblings orphaned in 1899 and farmed out to various relatives. By 1917, she had graduated from Illinois...
Picture book was a 1917 railroad souvenir
August 2022Vintage Discoveries Picture book was a 1917 railroad souvenirby Ken Weyand Rocky Mountain Views One of my relatives who traveled through the Western states by rail in the early 1900s came home with a souvenir book of “Rocky Mountain Views. The origin of my...